Sr. Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) Specialist
Job Summary
An Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) Specialist at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center will provide real-time multi-modality IONM in a wide variety of operating room procedures (including neurosurgery, otolaryngology, vascular and orthopedic surgeries) in which neural structures are at risk, such as aneurysms, brain and spine tumors, AVMs, spinal fusions, middle ear surgeries, TAAAs, and miscellaneous procedures involving peripheral and cranial nerves. The IONM specialist will derive, directly or through the supervision of a junior associates, technical and clinical meaning from these assays in order to produce interventional recommendations aimed to improve or preserve the neurologic outcome of UCSF patients. This position comes with management responsibilities, such as scheduling, training and supervising, when delegated by the manager. In addition to clinical and technical duties, this position offers the opportunity to pursue related research interests, drawing on the collaborative resources available at UCSF.
All patient care team members are responsible to meet patient needs, demonstrate willingness to learn new skills, and foster a harmonious work environment in which high quality patient care and customer service is consistently provided. Team members promote a cooperative working relationship with each other, physicians, other disciplines and the public by facilitating and enhancing communication, displaying honesty and respect, displaying sensitivity to cultural differences, and expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner.
- Use expert knowledge of relevant anatomy, medical conditions, and surgical procedures and their bearing on IONM signals to advise appropriate IONM during preoperative consultation with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other allied professionals.
- Demonstrate expert-level capability in the setup, calibration, maintenance and operation of IONM software and hardware (e.g. Cadwell, Medtronic, & other companies) to record IONM electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials (EP), and/or electromyography (EMG).
- Expert ability to establish baselines, to optimize IONM signals and monitor using methods such as auditory brainstem response (ABR), EEG, free-run and triggered EMG and direct cortical motor evoked potentials (MEP), and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). Expertise in advanced IONM techniques, such as radiofrequency lesioning, phase reversal, dorsal column mapping, trigeminal nerve sensory mapping, lateral-spread response, brachial/lumbar plexus mapping, compound nerve action potentials, brainstem mapping and other advanced techniques.
- Provide expert analysis of IONM waveforms to decipher real-time IONM changes that distinguish technical and anesthetic effects from substantive changes in neural function.
- Convey an immediate and clear assessment of IONM, including supervised work, to surgeons, anesthesiologists, OR staff or other IONM delegates.
- Develop and execute interventions with surgical and anesthesia teams to enhance or preserve patient outcome derived from evidence-based knowledge of IONM.
- Demonstrate expert knowledge of the impact of anesthesia on IONM signals. Collaborate with anesthesia personnel to achieve anesthetic conditions that promote optimal IONM recordings.
- Provide, in-person or remote, troubleshooting assistance and professional assessment of IONM findings to supervised neurophysiologists.
- Assign and delegate IONM activities consistent with departmental policies and best practices, including provision of IONM, room and floor supervision and scheduling.
- Document, clearly and expediently, the analysis and interpretation of IONM activities, protected patient information, anesthesia and surgical events and communications for medical records and billing purposes in a manner consistent with departmental policies.
- Ability to communicate in English, clearly and effectively, sometimes in stressful circumstances.
- Adapt to changes in the work environment, such as, but not limited to, changes in procedures, modalities, providers, patients and work location.
- Take call and monitor cases during daytime, evening, weekends and holidays, in accordance with departmental policies at all UCSF locations.
- Maintain a deep and current knowledge of techniques, technologies, advances, and regulatory standards in IONM from reading books, journals, online materials and participating in education programs.
- Maintain DABNM certification.
- Provide instructive leadership in departmental meetings, hospital in-service programs, professional meetings/seminars, through on-line and in-person formats.
- Ability to self-learn, develop, teach and launch new methods, procedures and policies to meet patient needs in quickly advancing field.
- Conform to hospital medical stipulations and policies.
- Contribute to the department through research, administrative duties (i.e HR & scheduling), teaching, hardware/software and workstation maintenance.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. The salary range for this position is $118,300 - $268,900 (Annual Rate). To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html Department Description The Department of Neuromonitoring at UCSF is committed to the highest standard of intraoperative neurophysiology (IONM) through skilled provision and original scholarship. Our Department provides IONM to preserve the neural function of nearly 3000 patients a year undergoing surgery in these top-ranked UCSF departments (U.S. News & World Report): Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Otolaryngology. Our department covers a wide-variety of pediatric and adult conditions and procedures ranging from cortical and subcortical mapping to preserve language function during awake craniotomies for Glioma resection to multimodality monitoring to preserve spinal cord and nerve root integrity in patients treated for spinal deformity. It is through the diversity of our group, which is an international composition of DABNM and CNIM neurophysiologists with backgrounds in medicine and science, that we meet the demands of medicine to preserve and protect the neurologic health and well-being of our patients at UCSF Medical Center. Additionally, our group contributes to IONM serving in the leadership of the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM) and the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (ABNM) and through regular contributions at IONM meetings and to the scientific literature. Lastly, through our fellowship program at UCSF and through contributions to education of IONM at the national meetings, we invest in the future of IONM by training the next generation of neurophysiologists to meet UCSF excellence in patient care. Required Qualifications
- Doctorate degree in physical science, life science or clinical allied health profession (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.C.,Au.D. and D.Pt.)
- At least three (3) years' technical and professional level IONM experience in the operating room.
- Demonstrates subject matter expertise of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring practices.
- Ability to provide real-time multi-modality IONM in a wide variety of operating room procedures.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills; clear, concise written documentation and interpersonal communication skills.
- Expert user of neuromonitoring information technology applications.
- Advanced skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify resolutions within defined procedures and policies. Demonstrated ability to solve problems without precedent and suggest solutions through innovative critical thinking.
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise with Cadwell IONM hardware and software (Classic and Surgical Studio)
- Related publications, abstracts and/or presentations that reflect strong research interests, particularly in IONM
- Language mapping or neuropsychological testing experience.
- Five years technical and professional level IONM experience in the operating room
License/Certification
- Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM)
- Diplomats of American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (DABNM) or meet prerequisites for DABNM
About UCSF At UCSF Health, our mission of innovative patient care, advanced technology and pioneering research is redefining what's possible for the patients we serve - a promise we share with the professionals who make up our team.
Consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals nationwide by U.S. News & World Report - UCSF Health is committed to providing the most rewarding work experience while delivering the best care available anywhere. In an environment that allows for continuous learning and opportunities for professional growth, UCSF Health offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. Pride Values UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Job Code and Payroll Title 005559 NEURODIAGNOSTIC SVC SPEC 5 Job Category Allied Health, Technical & Technologist Bargaining Unit 99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit) Location San Francisco, CA Campus Parnassus Heights (SF) Shift Days, Evenings, Nights, Rotating, Weekends, Variable Additional Shift Details Must take call and monitor cases during daytime, evening, weekends and holidays, in accordance with departmental policies at all UCSF locations. |
University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health
Sep 09, 2025