CAREER LADDER 2023
Talent Pipeline, Education, Career Ladder, Qualified Workforce
Advocating for education, qualifications, and practice levels for the Neurodiagnostic profession
ASET–The Neurodiagnostic Society has several position statements that demonstrate support for patients and stakeholders (technologists, educators, students, etc.). These statements are meant to promote education, training, credentialing and licensure in ways that focus on patient safety, elevate the profession and protect our scope of practice. Collectively, these statements encompass the proper training and aptitude required for one to perform Neurodiagnostic testing.
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Promoting Patient Safety and Professional Competence
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the position statements listed here so that you understand ASET’s advocacy efforts in support of Neurodiagnostic technologists and the profession as a whole.
- Definition of Qualified Neurodiagnostic Technologist >> Learn More
- Minimum Education and Credentialing >> Learn More
- Core Curriculum as a Means to Grow a Qualified Workforce >> Learn More
Benefits of a Talent Pipeline & Career Ladder
Defining what it means to be a qualified Neurodiagnostic technologist is imperative for growth, sustainability and autonomy of the profession. The definition was introduced in 1999 at the first ASET/ABRET Education Summit with support of 70+ individuals representing Neurodiagnostics across many disciplines (EEG, LTM, IONM, NCS & PSG). The current version was revised in 2020 to clarify and define the word, “qualified,” after noting reference documents that lacked a standard use or formal definition.
In addition to these foundational documents and other resources, ASET has been cultivating a career ladder for Neurodiagnostic technologists to expand opportunities for greater numbers of technologists to enter the field, cross-train in multiple modalities, earn a degree and advance to higher levels of salary and responsibility.
An example of this career ladder would be in attracting new talent into an introductory level position, such as a Neurodiagnostic Assistant (NDA), and make educational offerings available for possible advancement to a Neurodiagnostic Tech I, II, and then a Neurodiagnostic Specialist I and II.
The ASET BOT approved the Neurodiagnostic Assistant (NDA) position title and job description in August of 2020, which combined two existing Qualified Personnel Workforce roles (the Neurodiagnostic Lab Assistant and Patient Observer) under a single title to align with the Neurodiagnostics service line. Neurodiagnostic Assistants are not trained, nor qualified to analyze EEG data.
ASET is continually developing the EEG and LTM curriculum with the intention that individuals will continue their learning and exam preparation to advance professionally in their career ladder. Additionally, two advanced practice LTM courses will be added for the Advanced LTM Analyst (i.e., NeuroAnalyst or Neurodiagnostic Specialist) position.
Creating a talent pipeline and career ladder is critical to growing and sustaining a qualified workforce with benefits that include: increased awareness about the profession, improved patient safety and staffing ratios, increased staff development opportunities and specified roles within the Neurodiagnostic service line.