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Neurodiagnostic Technology A Career Full of POTENTIAL

Are you a science & technology oriented individual?

Do you want a growing & in demand career that is in healthcare?

Would you like a job that is interesting & impacts patients’ lives? A Career in Neurodiagnostic Technology is for You!

What is Neurodiagnostics?

Neurodiagnostics is the study and recording of electrical activity in the brain, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Recording the electrical activity of these nervous systems provide critical information that can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological problems ranging from epilepsy, headaches, head and spinal injuries, seizures, sleep disorders, strokes and unexplained comas.

The most common procedures that neurodiagnostic technologists perform are the electroencephalogram, long term monitoring, intraoperative neuromonitoring, the polysomnogram, evoked potential studies, and nerve conduction studies. The electroencephalogram [EEG] is the most frequently performed procedure.
What Do Neurodiagnostic Technologists Do?

A neurodiagnostic technologist monitors electrical activity of the brain, the central nervous system, and the peripheral nervous system. They perform a variety of procedures while working closely with patients, researchers, physicians, and other members of the health care team.

A neurodiagnostic technologist possess the knowledge and skills to obtain interpretable recordings of patients’ nervous system function. The recordings are of electrical activity of the central and peripheral nervous system. This provides critical information that can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological problems including epilepsy, headaches, head and spinal injuries, seizures, sleep disorders, and strokes.
Where Do Neurodiagnostic Technologists Work?

What Types of Neurodiagnostic Procedures Are There?

Learn the alphabet soup of acronyms. These procedures can be performed in clinics, hospitals, research facilities or in homes.

EEG

Electroencephalogram (EEG) – Reveals different brain patterns

The Electroencephalogram [EEG] is a recording of the on-going electrical activity of the brain. An EEG is used to assist in the diagnosis of epilepsy and a variety of neurological symptoms. These symptoms include common headaches, dizziness, seizure disorders, convulsions, changes in awareness, unexplained loss of consciousness, prolonged or unexplained coma, strokes, and degenerative brain disease. EEGs are also used to evaluate the effects of head trauma or the consequences of severe infectious disease. EEGs also are used in determining causes for staring spells or inattentiveness in children. EEG can help doctors determine medical and surgical treatment of epilepsy. In conducting an EEG, highly sensitive monitoring equipment records the activity through electrodes placed at measured intervals on a patient’s scalp. During the test, the patient may be asked to take repeated deep breaths [hyperventilate] and/or be shown a strobe light that flashes at different speeds. The simultaneous recording of EEG and video over extended periods of time is referred to as long-term monitoring (LTM). It is useful in diagnosing patients with intermittent or infrequent disturbances, diagnosis of seizures, and other neurological disorders such as unexplained coma.
IONM

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) – Monitors nervous system during surgery

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring [IONM] is the use of neurophysiological monitoring techniques during surgery to provide information to the surgeon about nervous system integrity. IONM guards against neurological complications and helps reduce the risk of negative surgical outcomes such as paralysis or stroke. IONM is used to monitor neurosurgical procedures including spinal surgery tumors, aneurysms; vascular surgeries; acoustic neuroma; and carotid endarterectomy. Otolaryngologists use intraoperative neuromonitoring to monitor cranial nerve function during ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries.
PSG

Polysomnograms (PSG) – Recording during sleep

The Polysomnogram [PSG] is a recording of sleep that uses EEG and other physiologic monitors to evaluate sleep disorders, parasomnias, difficulty staying awake during the day, loud snoring, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome.. Physicians use polysomnograms to identify dysfunction in sleep/wake cycles, to diagnose breathing disorders during sleep, and to evaluate treatment of these disorders.
EP

Evoked Potentials (EP) – Record electrical activity in response to stimulation

Evoked Potentials [EP] are recordings of electrical activity from the brain, spinal nerves, or sensory receptors in response to specific external stimulation. Evoked potentials are helpful in evaluating different neurological problems, including MS, spinal cord injuries, hearing loss, blurred vision and blind spots, acoustic neuroma, and optic neuritis. This test is commonly performed by the technologist during surgery on the spine to help the surgeon make sure nerves are not damaged during the operation. Evoked potentials also are performed in a clinical neurodiagnostic laboratory.
NCS

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) – Record stimulated nerve response time

Nerve Conduction Studies [NCS] evaluate electrical potentials from peripheral nerves. Technologists stimulate the nerve with an electrical current and then record how long it takes the nerve impulse to reach the muscle. Patients referred for NCS tests suffer from numbness, tingling, muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle cramping, abnormal movements, pain or loss of sensation, or neurological diseases affecting feet, legs, hands, arms, back, and neck.

Ignite Your Future

It Just Takes Weeks

You can become a neurodiagnostic assistant in as little 2-4 weeks after graduating from high school and completing a 3-hour course costing as little as $75, getting you out of the classrooms and into a great career. Fast and affordable.

Perks That Add Up

Start exploring today to discover a variety of roles that challenge and inspire. Working as a neurodiagnostic technologist offers the opportunity to collaborate with the entire health care team and stay on the cutting edge. Healthcare is a growing and stable field with most hospitals providing competitive pay and above average benefits.

Next Steps

Neurodiagnostic jobs are in demand all across the country, so you’ll have the flexibility to live just about anywhere you want. And because technologists have the ability to advance throughout their careers, your starting place doesn’t have to be your stopping place.

Healthcare is a growing and stable field with most hospitals providing competitive pay and above average benefits.

Find Your Next

Click on the links below to learn more and find the career path that might be right for you.

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