How Did I End Up Here? Callie Klotka, REEGT, CLTM

From Medical Assisting to EEG Leadership

My journey into neurodiagnostics didn’t begin in a classroom; it started in real life. After starting a family, I needed a stable and meaningful career path. I went from working in restaurants and warehouses to becoming a Certified Medical Assistant in 2004, earning my certification through the AAMA and later passing the RMA exam in 2009. I spent over a decade working in multiple fields of medicine; phlebotomy, podiatry, pediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology, allergy, and orthopedics. It was hands-on, diverse, and taught me how to truly care for patients while running the day-to-day operations of a medical office.

Finding My Path in Neurology

In 2009, I began working in Neurology, and everything changed. I found myself intrigued by the EEG reports I was transcribing; I wanted to understand what the terminology meant and how the data translated to the electrical activity of the brain. I was also fascinated by devices like the VNS, eventually becoming the sole person responsible for wand use in our clinic. My interest in conditions like migraines, MS, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Tardive Dyskinesia deepened. I became the go-to patient educator in our office, and I realized: I had found my home in Neurology.

A Leap Into Neurodiagnostics

Encouraged by the neurologists I worked with, I enrolled in Laboure College’s Neurodiagnostic program. Though I was supposed to start in 2015, I had to delay due to a family crisis. Still, I completed the program in 2016 with a 4.0 GPA, graduating top of my class; one of just six who finished from an original cohort of 24.

EEG was far more than I expected. I fell in love with the field. I earned my REEGT credential in 2017 and began working in hospital settings performing LTM and routine EEGs for adult and pediatric patients. From there, I explored different opportunities; from travel tech work to small community hospitals to remote EEG services; as I continued building my knowledge base and understanding what kind of work environment fit me best.

Landing at Integris Neuro

In 2022, I joined Integris Neuro at the inception of its Continuous Monitoring division-and I haven’t looked back. Today, I serve as the Operations Manager for our Continuous Monitoring team. I oversee around 50 highly skilled technologists and work directly with EEG managers across the country to support seamless, high-quality remote care for patients.

One of my proudest accomplishments is being part of this division from the ground up; watching it grow, helping to shape workflows, launching projects, and building efficiencies that help our techs succeed every day. I finally pursued and earned my CLTM credential after putting it off for years. This role gave me the support and motivation I needed to make it happen, and achieving it solidified my dedication to the field.

Lessons Learned

This field has had a profound impact on me. EEG is a lifelong learning journey; the more I discover, the more there is to explore. I’m continually humbled by how vast this field is and energized by the ongoing opportunities to grow.

Remote leadership, though, has been a new challenge. I’ve led small, in-person teams before, but managing a large remote team requires different skills—constant communication, empathy, adaptability, and trust. I regularly seek out leadership strategies and self-improvement tools to become a better manager for my team.

Advice to Others

To anyone early in their EEG career: don’t wait to go after your goals. Earning my CLTM changed how I saw myself as a professional and gave me a deeper sense of purpose and pride. It’s never too late to level up!

My Leadership Philosophy

In managing a team, I carry with me the experiences -both good and bad- I’ve had with past supervisors. I remember the moments I felt unseen or unsupported and the moments when a great manager made all the difference. I try to lead in a way that reflects those lessons: being present, supportive, and collaborative. I don't pretend to be the smartest person in the room; I lead by working with my team, not above them. My role is to help them shine.

If you’re in neurodiagnostics, I hope my story encourages you to keep learning, growing, and striving. This field is full of depth, challenge, and purpose; and there’s a place in it for those who are ready to commit to lifelong growth.

By Callie Klotka, REEGT, CLTM