Neurodiagnostic Institute of Technology

Mission & Purpose

The mission and purpose of Neurodiagnostic Institute of Technology (NIT) at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience (HPN) is to provide formal training for Neurodiagnostic technologists. Neurodiagnostic Technology is the medical diagnostic field devoted to the recording and study of electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. Neurodiagnostic technologists possess the knowledge, skills, and attributes to obtain interpretable recordings of patients’ nervous system function. They work in collaboration with medical researchers, clinicians, physicians, and other health professionals.

Description

The neurodiagnostic technologist can be involved in one or more of the following diagnostic procedures: electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potential (EP), long-term monitoring (LTM), polysomnography (PSG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). The technologist takes the medical history; documents the clinical condition of patients; understands and employs the optimal use of EG, EP, PSG, and NCS equipment; and applies adequate recording electrodes. Among other duties, the neurodiagnostic technologist also understands the interface between EEG, EP, PSG, and NCS equipment and other electrophysiological devices and procedures; recognizes and understands EEG/EP/NCS/sleep activity displayed; manages medical emergencies in the laboratory; and prepares a descriptive report of recorded activity for the interpreting physician. The responsibilities of the technologist may also include laboratory management and the supervision of neurodiagnostic technologists. Considerable individual initiative, reasoning skill, and sound judgment are all expected of the neurodiagnostic professional. Neurodiagnostic personnel work primarily in neurology-related departments of hospitals, but many also work in clinics and the private offices of neurologists and neurosurgeons. Growth in employment within the profession is expected to be greater than average, owing to the increased use of EEG and EP techniques in surgery; in diagnosing and monitoring patients with epilepsy; and in diagnosing sleep disorders. Technologists generally work a 40-hour week but may work 12-hour days for sleep studies and be on-call for emergencies and intraoperative monitoring.

Accreditation and Credentialing

NIT at HPN seeks accreditation and credentialing from Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET) accreditation to demonstrate the program is in substantial compliance with nationally vetted standards and employs best practices in educating neurodiagnostic technologists. Students and Graduates of CAAHEP accredited programs can apply for the ABRET EEG examination using Pathway I which expedites access to the credentialing examinations.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, and neuroanatomy (with major emphasis on the brain), as well as instrumentation, personal and patient safety, recording techniques, clinical neurodiagnostics, and correlations. Clinical rotations are conducted in medical centers.

Length: Programs may be 12 to 24 months and are typically integrated into a community college-sponsored program leading to an associate degree.

Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent.

Program Structure:

Curricula provides a complete and accurate information that demonstrate required standards are being met
Program includes both structured and encompass both didactic and clinical instruction.
It also provide structured didactic education and clinical practice opportunities that enable students to learn EEG concepts and participate in clinical practice.
*Structured is defined as organized learning that has defined class work, core instruction, an evaluation process for students and clinical hands-on learning
Program must not be less than 12 months in duration.
In addition, students are provided at least 20 hours of hands-on training a week supervised by instructors.
Minimum of 100 documented EEG clinical contact/activity hours (For example, Record Review, Patient contact, Grand Rounds, Lab hours.)
An evaluation process is in place to establish students’ progress.
Students have formal record review sessions scheduled with the instructors every week.
By the end of training, students must be able to record testings independently
Students must demonstrate and meet clearly defined clinical competencies by the end of training.
There must be a record of students completing the program and/or students currently enrolled in the program.