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ABRET Update – Summer 2020

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ABRET announces a few modifications and shares some new information to benefit technologists.

RECERTIFICATION
The ABRET Recertification Committee approved extending the December 31, 2020 recertification deadline to April 30, 2021 without penalty. Certificants are still encouraged to submit their recertifications as soon as all requirements are met.

MEASUREMENT ASSESSMENT
Several Measurement Assessment sessions had to be canceled this Spring/Summer. There are new opportunities to participate in MA sessions available on the website. Plans to require MA for EEG Pathway III Eligibility has been postponed until 2022.      

NEUROANALYST CREDENTIAL
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns, the timeline for releasing the NeuroAnalyst credential has been extended into early 2021. Watch the ABRET website for eligibility and other information to be released in July. 

NEW CREDENTIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ABRET is preparing to move to a new credential management system for candidates and certificants. This new system, powered by Certemy, creates a very user-friendly platform from the application process through recertification. Candidates will be able to identify areas of an application that need additional attention quickly, and credential holders will be able to log continuing education hours as they are earned for a seamless recertification process. Look for our new credential management system in October 2020. 

FREE DIGITAL BADGES
This August, ABRET is launching a new digital badging platform. Every technologist will receive a free digital badge once a credential has been earned or recertified. Watch the ABRET website and social media for additional information.

ABRET UPDATE – Measurement Assessments are in full swing

ABRET UPDATE – Measurement Assessments are in full swing

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Measurement Assessments are in full swing. New locations will be announced as they are finalized.

The ABRET NeuroAnalyst committee is hard at work on our new credential which we hope to launch by August 2020. More information will be available on the ABRET website soon.

Credentialed technologists may submit their recertification any time in the year a credential expires. Even with this extended option, 75% of all recertifications are submitted in the month of December. This volume often causes delays with transcripts being received, new certificates being sent out, and verification updates. In hopes of avoiding an influx of recertifications in December, ABRET will have an on-site recertification table available at the ASET Annual Conference in San Diego.  All recertifications submitted prior to October 1st will continue to pay the current $100 recertification fee. Recertifications submitted on and after October 1, 2020 will be required to pay an additional $25 fee.

board2018ac

Board Briefings – Fall 2018

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The following is a synopsis of issues, policies, and positions that the Board of Trustees has acted on since the last reporting.

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Board Names Winners of 2018 Maureen Berkeley Award 

The Maureen Berkeley Memorial Award was established in 1966 to perpetuate the dignity, stature and professional attitude that Maureen brought to the profession by recognizing outstanding papers in The Neurodiagnostic Journal. The award is given for the most outstanding educational article or paper written by a neurodiagnostic technologist during the year and published in the journal. Papers are nominated by the journal’s editorial board and then voted on by the ASET Board of Trustees. The recipients of this year’s award are Kristy Fox, BS, R. EEG T., CLTM, and Mary Ellen Wells, Ph.D., R. EEG T., RPSGT, R.NCS.T., co-authors of their paper, “Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES): A Literature Review and Case Study.” The paper was published in the September 2017 issue of the journal. 

Board Selects Recipient of 2018 Theda Sannit Award 

The Theda Sannit Outstanding Educator Award was established in 1990 by the Philadelphia Regional EEG Technologists Association and the Eastern Society of EEG Technologists to honor Theda’s accomplishments and contributions to EEG. The award was first presented to Theda Sannit herself. In 1992, ASET continued the award on a national basis, recognizing outstanding educators in the field of neurodiagnostics. In light of Theda’s passing, this award now serves as memory to her legacy.  

This year’s recipient of the Theda Sannit Outstanding Educator Award is Sharyn Katz, R. EEG T., FASET.  Sharyn actually trained with Theda, and Theda was always proud of her commitment to education and development in the field of neurodiagnostics. Sharyn has been educating technologists as well as physicians for many years, and many owe their careers to her mentorship and guidance. She has a special skill and energy for providing one-on-one education to anyone in neurodiagnostics, and she tirelessly would take time from a busy schedule to sit down and go over important issues with any leaner. Sharyn has an unequaled passion and love for the profession and has a strong commitment to ASET. Most recently, Sharyn wrote the script and helped produce the Society’s video and online course on skin safety.  

Board Names 2018 Class of Fellows Inductee 

Any individual who has been a member of the Society in good standing for a minimum of ten continuous years and who is highly esteemed in the neurodiagnostic profession as evidenced by the giving of their time and talents in service to the Society and to the neurodiagnostic profession, and as an ambassador exemplifying and advancing the neurodiagnostic profession, is eligible for nomination and election as a Fellow. The conferment of Fellow is an honorary designation. Fellows are authorized to use the letters FASET for business and professional purposes.  

This year’s lone inductee into the 2018 Class of Fellows is Anna-Marie Beck, MOL, R. EEG T. Anna-Marie is the Neurophysiology Program Manager – Education at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, and Clinical Instructor at Johnson County Community College’s accredited Neurodiagnostic Technology Program, Olathe, KS. When asked about her most notable moments as a neurodiagnostic professional, Anna–Marie relayed that by far, the most notable moments are the messages from students letting her know that they have passed their board exams and are now registered technologists. Those words “I passed!” make her heart full.   

Anna-Marie was inducted on August 17, 2018 at the Awards Ceremony Luncheon held in conjunction with the 2018 ASET Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. For the list of Fellows inducted in previous years, select “Fellows” from the pulldown menu under the Membership tab of the ASET website, and then click on Fellow Inductees.  

Membership Votes Down Proposed Bylaws Amendment 

The proposed bylaws amendment that would have expanded the time for Past President Lifetime members to be eligible to again serve on the ASET Board of Trustees from three to twenty years was voted down by the membership. The amendment was placed before the membership for a vote at the August 16, 2018 annual business meeting held in conjunction with the 2018 ASET Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. The majority of comments voiced against the amendment thought that 20 years was too long a waiting period. 

New and Updated Neurodiagnostic Job Descriptions Approved – Board Tasks S&P Committee to Recommend Guidelines for Writing Technical Descriptions 

As part of the Standards & Practices Committee’s cycle of reviewing and updating the neurodiagnostic job descriptions every three years, the board unanimously approved the committee’s recommended updates to the following job descriptions: 

  • Neurodiagnostic Manager or Supervisor 
  • Neurodiagnostic Director 
  • Neurodiagnostic Technology Clinical Instructor 
  • Neurodiagnostic Technology Program Director 
  • Neurodiagnostic Education Specialist 

The board also adopted the Standards & Practices Committee’s recommended revisions to the Neurodiagnostic Practice Levels description, and new job descriptions for Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Specialist I and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Specialist II.  

The updated job descriptions will be published in the third edition of ASET’s “Handbook of Neurodiagnostic Job Descriptions and Competencies.”  

In related action, the Board tasked the Standards & Practices Committee to draft a position statement for writing technical descriptions for EEG and LTM tests.  

New York Petition for Chapter Formation Approved 

The ASET Board of Trustees unanimously approved the petition for formation of the New York Chapter of ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society. The territory covered by the new chapter is the State of New York. It replaces the Tristate Chapter. Contact information for the new entity is as follows: 

President: Justin Silverstein, DHSc, CNIM, R. EP T., R.NCS.T., CNCT 

Mailing Address: 140 Adams Avenue, Suite B 13 

Hauppauge, NY 11788 

Email Inquiries: [email protected]. 

Clarification to ASET/ABRET Joint Statement of Renewed Commitment 

An ASET/ABRET Joint Statement was distributed to the ASET membership in an August 8, 2018 broadcast mail. The statement also is posted on the ASET and ABRET websites. Apparently, not all ASET members were familiar with the referenced “divisive issue” in the statement.  

The Joint Statement reads as follows: 

On July 21, 2018 the Officers and Executive Directors of ASET and ABRET met in Chicago for a mediated session, led by an independent facilitator, to encourage a candid conversation in order to understand and process the differences and unintended consequences of a recent divisive issue.  The goal of the session was to develop a process framework for future discussion of common issues that may result in conflicting positions, and for identifying collective strategies for resolving any such conflicts.  

The principles agreed to during the session were framed as follows: (1) Assume that each organization and their respective governing bodies have good intent for the community of Neurodiagnostic professionals; and (2) Engage in candid discussions while respecting the unique fiduciary responsibilities of each organization. The framework will be incorporated into the Memorandum of Understanding which was executed in September 2017 between the two organizations. 

“Helen Keller once said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ The commitment ABRET and ASET shares to having a strong collaborative working relationship is vital to the advancement and protection of the Neurodiagnostic profession. It is our pledge to remain devoir to enhancing the unification of our organizations through mutual respect and support. I was truly inspired by the devotion and adoration that was exhibited by both Executive Committees during our session.” – Sabrina Faust, ABRET President

“ABRET and ASET have separate missions, but similar visions and values. Both organizations are dedicated to better the profession of Neurodiagnostics and desire our technologist colleagues succeed in their careers. During my tenure as ABRET Executive Director, ASET and ABRET have enjoyed a supportive and respectful relationship, and we desire that to continue through future intelligent collaboration. This is a commitment to move forward together.” – Janice Walbert, ABRET Executive Director

“The Executive Committees of ASET and ABRET have identified and agreed on a framework for restoring the valued partnership between our two organizations that has been in place for oh so many years. Neurodiagnostic technologists, whether they are ABRET certificants, ASET members, or both, will certainly benefit from the mutually renewed commitment to cooperation and advancement of the Neurodiagnostic profession.” - Arlen Reimnitz, ASET Executive Director 

“The Neurodiagnostic Technology landscape is constantly evolving, and now more than ever we are faced with new threats and challenges that have and will continue to impact our field in many ways. Coming together to strategize on best ways to handle those situations is essential.  I was inspired by the spirit of collaboration and desire to work together to strengthen our relationship that was demonstrated during this session.  Both ASET and ABRET shared a commitment to maintain a strong alliance to serve our Neurodiagnostic community with respect, improved communication and unity now and for years to come” - Susan Agostini, ASET President 

The “divisive issue” was simply a substantive disagreement between ASET and ABRET over some of the language in the Registered Neurodiagnostic Technologist Title Protection Act drafted by ABRET and introduced in the Illinois Senate as SB 3126 this past February. ASET’s position was that all neurodiagnostic credentials and their respective credentialing bodies that define the occupational title of Neurodiagnostic Technology needed to be included in the bill. ASET also had a concern on whether an on-the-job trained technologist who holds at least one of the ABRET credentials listed in the bill would meet the bill’s eligibility requirements for being included on the state’s registry list. Subsequently, amendments addressing both of ASET’s concerns were agreed to by ABRET and the Senate sponsor of the bill. Unfortunately, time ran out in Illinois’ legislative session for the Senate Committee to take action on the amendments or the bill. It is believed that the process framework that came out of the mediated session between the ABRET and ASET Executive Committees will go a long way toward heading off any potential future disagreements. 

Policy for Surveying ASET Members Approved 

ASET periodically receives requests for a list of members’ names and contact information for the purpose of surveying the members. Requests come from a variety of sectors, including ASET members, academics involved in research, related non-profit organizations interested in information about patient care and laboratory practices, providers, and device and drug manufacturers. As a caution against survey fatigue, the board adopted a policy for guiding the Society in determining the release and publication of ASET data and requests to survey its members. Under the new policy, access to ASET data will be determined on a case-by-case basis. All members and entities are eligible to apply for access to ASET members for research and/or publication purposes. The application requires a description of the specific data being requested and the purpose of the request; a written proposal to include research question, introduction of problem, proposed methodology and data analysis; copy of the draft survey instrument; and CV of the applicant. Applications are review by the Board of Trustees, which may request ASET’s Research Committee to further vet the application before taking final action. 

In related action, the Board approved a request to send a survey targeted to the AEEG audience on safety in Ambulatory EEG and the home environment.

This article was written by Arlen Reimnitz, Executive Director at ASET.

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ccorner

Committee Corner – Fall 2018

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Welcome to the Committee Corner, where you’ll find important updates from designated committees.

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ASET-CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Continuing Education Chair: Meredith Milton, R. EEG/EP T., RPSGT

For this issue of ASET News, we thought to provide you with the following infographic featuring tips from our committee. We hope you find it helpful.

Committee Members: Emily Kale, Magdalena Warzecha, Tina Miller, and Richard Vogel

Staff Liaisons: Faye McNall, Director of Education, Olivia Cottingham, Registration & CEU Manager

HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chair: Brian Adkins, R. EEG T., CNIM

Hello everyone. It is truly amazing how time seems to fly by. It seems like yesterday that we were talking about preparations for the annual meeting in NOLA and here it is nearly a month past.  I wanted to say a special thank you to all of you who stopped by the HAC booth.  It was an honor to meet and talk with everyone.   I wanted to give a special thank you to Carol Bonar, Connie Kubiak, Christopher Moses and Cindy Swick for your time of hosting the booth with me.  We had some special moments including the opening of a time capsule from a disbanded local Neurodiagnostics chapter GNOEA (Greater New Orleans EEG Association).   Also, it was amazing to everyone’s reaction to the “paper” EEG records, even bringing some to tears.  What a good time we had!

Now as we say goodbye to NOLA, we now look ahead to ASET’s 60th Anniversary Meeting to be held in Kansas City next year.  The HAC will be working to create a wonderful display capturing where we have been as a Society for the past 60 years.  That’s six decades of technologists making a difference in the lives of our patients.  Not only will we have paper records but we will have a live Grass Model 8 running on a live patient.

Together with current members, the HAC invites the ASET members to assist us in collecting photos, along with descriptions, of past equipment and supplies used by technologist and physicians in the field of Neurodiagnostics. Once completed, these photos and descriptions will be placed into the Virtual Museum via the ASET website.  We are also pleased to let our membership know that we have continued a relationship with the Smithsonian Museum to help them collect historical Neurodiagnostic artifacts.  If you have any photos of your past equipment or supplies, please let us know, either communicating with me at [email protected] or forward to Olivia Cottingham at ASET ([email protected]).

We’d LOVE to hear from you.

Committee Members:  Connie Kubiak, Patti Baumgartner, Carol Bonar, Kelly Clement, Christopher Moses, and Michael Young.

Staff Liaison: Olivia Cottingham

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE

Chair:  Meredith Milton, R. EEG/EP T., RPSGT

We hope you enjoyed engaging with ASET during the 2018 Annual Conference. Our mobile app adoption rate this year surpassed 100 percent, due to multiple downloads. Thank you to those of you who participated in the Scavenger Hunt. We loved seeing the photos come in and hope you enjoyed the contest. The winner of the Apple iPad sponsored by Ambu was Erica Collins. Additional prizes were awarded as listed below:

Cloe Spaeth – $200 VISA gift card sponsored by Cadwell Laboratories

Nicole Sadaf Owens – $100 VISA gift card sponsored by Rochester/AMC

Mandy Bridges – $100 VISA gift card sponsored by Rochester/AMC

Dana Gagnon – Real Time Neuromonitoring Gift Bag sponsored by RTNA

If you missed the Closing Session and were not able to pick up your prize, please email Maliha Khan, Marketing & Social Media Manager, at [email protected].

Additionally, we held a Poster Quiz contest again this year with the grand prize being a complimentary 3-day ASET 2019 Conference Registration. Congratulations to Jessica Santoro! We can’t wait to see you in Kansas City, MO, and celebrate 60 years of ASET.

In case you missed it, here’s a facebook live video that gives a glimpse into the Welcome Reception held on Friday, August 17.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this conference a success. We truly enjoyed engaging with you. Next month, expect to see a social media campaign in support of Epilepsy Awareness Month. As Neurodiagnostic Technologists, we all know someone who has or is currently battling this disease. It is important that we show our support and help raise awareness. We hope that you will participate in our campaign to do just this.

Committee Members: Petra Davidson, Luann Helepololei, Latreece Holliday. Renee Maiberger, Erica Rappard, Jennifer Vierkant, and Patty Warf

Staff Liaison: Maliha Khan, Marketing & Social Media Manager

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair: Cherie Young, R. EEG T., CNIM, FASET

The Membership Committee would like to remind members in the Active and Associate class that they can enroll in the Auto-Renewal program. This program helps save you time, keeps you in good standing with the Society, and ensures that you receive a full year of membership so you will not miss out on any benefits and services available. To enroll, follow these easy steps:

  1. Log into the member login boxes of the home page with your username and password.
  2. On the Members Only Welcome page, click on the Profile.
  3. Select the Settings/Renewal Settings option and then the Enroll Now
  4. Complete the short enrollment form with payment information. No charges occur at the time of enrollment. Two weeks before your membership expires, you will receive a reminder email about the pending renewal. You will not need to take any action. Credit card processing for membership dues (and chapter dues if applicable) will occur automatically one week before your membership expires and you will receive an emailed receipt of the transaction.

If you choose to not enroll in the Membership Auto-Renewal program, you can simply renew your membership online before 12/31/2018.

  1. Log into the member login boxes of the home page with your username and password.
  2. On the Members Only Welcome page, scroll down and click on the bulleted item, Renew Online Individual Membership.
  3. From the Membership Renewal Form, verify your contact information is correct and enter in your payment information.
  4. Click Submit.

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New Member-Get-A-Member Reward Program

Have you heard about our Member-Get-A-Member Program? Any member in good standing of the Society who sponsors a new Active member will receive a $10 ASET gift certificate for use in purchasing any item in the ASET store, including webinar and online course registrations. To receive an ASET gift certificate by sponsoring a new Active member, all you need to do is have him or her enter your name where it asks for the “Sponsor’s Name/Who Introduced you to ASET” on either the hard copy or online member application form. When ASET receives the new Active member application, you will be notified by email about your certificate. Please keep your account information updated. ASET certificates will be mailed to the address we have on file for you.

There is no limit on the amount of credit that you can earn. The more new Active members that you sponsor, the more gift certificates you can accumulate. In addition, it does not matter what time of year the new Active member application is received. Even though the first-year dues are prorated, you can still receive the gift certificate simply by being a sponsor as long as you are a current member in good standing.

Some tips for recruiting your coworkers and colleagues:

  • Print the membership application and in the sponsoring member field, enter your name. Then, tell them how your membership in ASET has helped you and why you think they could equally benefit. Hand them the application, and invite them to join. To print the membership application form click here.
  • Take a couple minutes from your day to walk them through the online application process and when it asks who introduced them to ASET, make sure they enter your name. To access the online form click here

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PROFILE UPDATE REMINDER

Please remember to update your profile with your most current information to avoid delivery issues with your membership card, journals and notifications about upcoming events. If you have moved, gotten a new phone number or email, or received a new credential, you can update your profile by following these four easy steps:

  1. Log into your membership account at aset.org.
  2. Click on Profile.
  3. Under Contact Info you can edit your main contact information, including email, address, phone, credentials andlogin.
  4. Make sure to click update on each tab to save your updates.

If you have problems updating your information, simply email your changes to Kathy Wolff at [email protected].  ASET is dedicated to providing you, its members, with exceptional service and products for your continued success in the Neurodiagnostic profession.

Staff Liaison: Kathy Wolff, Membership Manager

NEURODIAGNOSTIC AND PATIENT ADVOCACY TASK FORCE (NAPA)

Chair:  Cheryl Plummer, BS, R. EEG T., CLTM, FASET

There was a presentation at the recent ASET conference introducing attendees to the Neurodiagnostic and Patient Advocacy (NAPA) Task Force titled A Task Force Cultivating Recognition For You.  It was presented by NAPA member, Judy Ahn-Ewing, BA, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM, FASET.

The ASET NAPA Task Force was created to build awareness about the need for professional competence as it relates to patient safety by developing goals and strategies that will publicize the need for qualified, credentialed and licensed technologists. In the August presentation, Judy explained projects this task force is conducting to inform patient advocacy groups, hospital administrators, risk managers, HR personnel, and the Joint Commission. Messaging will focus on the potential risks related to patient safety, quality and medico-legal aspects of performing neurodiagnostic procedures. Ms. Ahn-Ewing also discussed future plans to work with organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation to further stress the importance of professional competence as demonstrated by professional credentials, national standards of practice, and, ultimately, state licensure.

NAPA welcomes new member Nicklous D. Morrisette R.EEGT., CNIM.

Task Force Members: Mary Betinis, R. EEG T., Elizabeth Bouffanie, R. EEG T., CNIM, Judy Ahn-Ewing BA, R EEG/EP T,  CNIM, CLTM, FASET, Richard Foy, MBA, MSHA, Kathryn Hansen BS, CPC, CPMA, Adam Kornegay, LPN, R. EP T., CNIM, Cindy Miller,  R. EEG T.,CNIM, R. NCS T., Nicklous D. Morrisette R.EEG T., CNIM, Elizabeth Mullikin, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, Marc Nuwer, M.D., PhD

Staff Liaison: Maureen Carroll, BS, CNIM,  R. EEG T., RPSGT, Online Education Developer

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Chair: Christine Scott Blodgett, MA, R. EEG/EP T., CLTM, FASET

The Research Committee continues to collect quarterly data about employment trends in the Neurodiagnostic Technology profession. These data will be presented to the membership at the end of the year and the RC will continue to collect quarterly data to update the membership on employment trends in the market annually and with comparisons from year to year.

Additionally, the RC is developing a project proposal to present to the Board of Trustees during the November monitoring meeting, which focuses on monitoring accuracy and the extent to which the number of monitors influences the accuracy of seizure detection.  We are still in the early stages of planning this project, but once developed and approved by the BOT, we will be recruiting ASET members and 2019 conference attendees to assist us with the goal of advocating for patient safety by determining the safest patient-to-technologist ratio for Long-Term Monitoring in Epilepsy.

Committee Members: William J. Bosl, Ph.D., Melissa Cobos, BS, R. EEG T., Margie Dieter-Murphy, R. EEG/EP T., Brian Galdis, BS, R. EEG T., CLTM, Todd Ham, BS, R. EEG T., CLTM. Rebecca Khozein, MBA, DOM, MS, R. EEG/EP T., RPSGT, R.NCS.T., Jacob Myers, BS, R. EEG T., Jie Zhang, BS. R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM, FASET

Staff Liaison: Anna Bonner, BA, R. EEG T., RPSGT, Director of Publications

STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMITTEE 

Chair: Linda Kelly, BS, R. EEG/EP T., R.NCS.T., CNCT, FASET 

The S&P welcomes Pat Lordeon, R. EEG T., FASET, of Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and Erik Padilla, MBA, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM, of Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago to the committee!!  

One of the goals of the S&P is to keep the ASET job descriptions up to date. We currently have subject matter experts evaluating and making recommendations for changes to these documents and we hope that before the end of the year we will have these open for public comment. It is important for us as a profession, to stay abreast of changes that may impact our practice. We are also working to create a new job description for a Neurophysiology Information Systems Analyst and for emerging technologies, such as MEG and Autonomics. As ABRET creates new exams for specialized modalities, we as practitioners want to remain involved and continue to pursue credentials that validate our competence.  

The S&P has also been tasked by the BOT to develop guidelines for writing Technical Descriptions for EEG and Long-Term Monitoring. We are always open to feedback and meeting needs to support our profession, after all, we work for you, the membership. Please feel free to contact us and/or the Liaison, Anna Bonner, for inquiries and suggestions.  

Committee Members: Susan Agostini, R. EEG/EP T., CLTM, FASET, Denise Bates, MBA/HCM, R. EP T., CNIM, Rebecca Khozein, MBA, DOM, MS, R. EEG/EP T., RPSGT, R.NCS.T., Trei King, BA, R. EEG T., CNIM, Pat Lordeon, R. EEG T., FASET, Erik Padilla, MBA, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM, Cheryl Plummer, BS, R. EEG T., CLTM, FASET 

Staff Liaison: Anna Bonner, BA, R. EEG T., RPSGT, Director of Publications

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Important Legislative Updates Impacting Neurodiagnostic Professionals

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By Jennifer Montgomery, Governmental & Grassroots Advocacy Manager

The ASET Governmental Advocacy Committee continues to monitor legislative and regulatory issues of interest and importance to our members. There were recent developments with legislation on the ASET GAC watch list in Illinois, Louisiana and Missouri.

Illinois HB 3126

As previously reported in the 2018 Illinois General Assembly session Senate Bill 3126 was introduced and proposed to create the Registered Neurodiagnostic Technologist Title Protection Act. The bill authorized the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to register neurodiagnostic technologists. This legislation prohibited Individuals from holding themselves out as a registered neurodiagnostic technologist without being registered by the Department. This bill created title protection and not licensure by the Department. The bill did not require healthcare providers to utilize registered neurodiagnostic technologists when providing neurodiagnostic-related services to patients. The legislation required technologists registered under the act to pay recurring fees and be subject to possible sanctions for incompetent or unprofessional practice, while allowing others who have not earned any of the established neurodiagnostic credentials to continue to perform neurodiagnostic testing. It provided that only those credentialed by ABRET in R. EEG T., R. EP T., CNIM, CLTM, and/or CAP would be eligible to be placed on the state list of registered neurodiagnostic technologists.

ASET proposed amendments to the bill which would have added nerve conduction study credentialing bodies, and allow credentialed nerve conduction study technologists and on-the-job trained technologists the ability to register with the state. The proposed amendments were agreed to by ABRET and the Senate sponsor of the legislation. The deadline for passage of Senate bills over to the House was April 27, 2018, but the sponsor was granted an extension of May 30, 2018 for amendments to the bill to be considered. The bill was neither amended to include the ASET proposed amendments, nor was it amended as first proposed by ABRET’s lobbyist to exempt NCS from the legislation. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation was opposed to the bill. No further action was taken on the legislation prior to the May 31 adjournment of the General Assembly and the bill failed.

Louisiana  HB 748

Louisiana House Bill 748 created the Occupational Licensing Review Act. The bill included language that prohibited certificants from referring to themselves as “certified” unless their certification is used in conjunction with licensure in that state. The legislation provided that when the state finds it necessary to regulate an occupation or profession, the state is required to use the least restrictive regulation to protect consumers from present, significant, and empirically substantiated harms threatening public health and safety. It required the Governor’s office to recommend that the legislature propose legislation that may do any of the following:

  • Repeal occupational regulations.
  • Convert the occupational regulations to less restrictive regulations.
  • Instruct the relevant licensing board or agency to promulgate revised regulations reflecting the legislature’s decision to use a less restrictive regulation.

ASET joined a coalition of interested parties and lobbied to amend the bill to address the concerns we had with the legislation. An adopted amendment to HB 748 provides for the following:

  • Elimination of the prohibition on holders of certifications identifying themselves as “certified” in their titles.
  • Elimination of the rebuttable presumption against licensure laws requiring certification as a condition of licensure.
  • Keeping the sunset review schedule and process, but included protection of consumer welfare and public health and safety as factors the governor’s office must consider.
  • Elimination of the requirement for empirical evidence present, systemic harms; instead, in considering licensure requirements, the governor’s office can consider present or potential harms or threat of significant harms.
  • Requires the governor’s office to submit any sunset review recommendations with report on the rationale for the recommendation for changing a licensure statute, and the factors and evidence considered; the report must also identify each category of evidence as supporting the recommendation, weighing against the recommendation, or as neutral.

The amended bill was passed by the state legislature on May 18, and was signed by Governor Edwards on May 30. It takes effect on August 1, 2018.

Missouri House Bill 1719

Missouri House Bill 1719, the Professional Employer Organization Act, was introduced during the 2018 General Assembly session. From the outset of the legislative process, the objective of HB 1719 was to modify the state government’s approach to the licensing of occupations and professional employer organizations. On its face, the bill did not give any indication that it would redefine “certification” as an exclusively governmental function, blocking the role of private organizations in certifying an individual’s professional qualifications. But as the process moved forward it became apparent that the legislation would be concerning to organizations such as ASET that monitor state certification/licensing legislation. The concerns included the following:

  • The bill would take under state control the hundreds of non-governmental professional credentialing programs using the term “certification.”
  • The bill would limit the right to use the title “registered” to those professionals whom state law requires to register with the state. It precludes professionals who hold private credentials using the term “registered” from truthfully advertising their earned credentials.
  • The bill would establish standards for state-controlled licensing programs that are so rigorous and unrealistic that they could effectively result in ending state licensing of the professions, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, etc.

ASET joined with ASAE – The Center for Association Leadership, and other like-minded organizations in engaging in a letter writing campaign to Missouri’s Lieutenant Governor, prior to his ascension to the governorship, expressing opposition to the bill. The position of ASET is that that since neurodiagnostics is not a licensed profession in Missouri, the non-governmental professional credentials offered for neurodiagnostics play an even more important role in protecting patient safety and providing the public, hospitals, risk managers, and insurers with objective and valid measures of knowledge and competence of neurodiagnostic technologists. During the legislative process, ASAE conveyed the belief that this bill contains language that is detrimental to both credentialing programs that are incorporated into state licensure laws (such as medical fields, CPAs, etc.) and voluntary certifications that are not required to practice an occupation in any state but demonstrate an individual’s professional knowledge and competence in a field (such as ASAE’s CAE credential).

The legislation was signed into law June 1, just prior to Governor Eric Greitens’ resignation. The bill’s signing was not unexpected as it was wrapped into an omnibus package that required passage prior to the Legislature ending its session. ASET and ASAE had expressed concerns with HB1500 as well – a bill which also provided for establishing guidelines for the future regulation of occupations and professions in the State of Missouri. This bill passed the legislature at the same time as HB1719.

ASAE has had productive discussions with staff from the office of the Chair of the Professional Registration Committee in the Missouri Senate, and is seeking a legislative fix. Additionally, ASET will continue to work with ASAE and a coalition of other like-minded organizations concerned about these issues around the country.

Legislative Sessions

The following states, Washington, D.C., and Congress are currently in session.

California North Carolina
Delaware Ohio
Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Michigan Rhode Island
New Hampshire Washington, D.C.
New Jersey Wiscsonsin – Special Session
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Latest from the Department of Education

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The ASET EEG Core Curriculum (EEG 200-211 online courses) Now Accepted by ABRET 

ABRET will accept 10 ASET 200-level EEG courses as part of the petition of eligibility for the EEG credentialing program. Petitioning candidates should have 2 years of Clinical EEG Experience, and a combination of college and EEG-specific courses or 10 ASET 200-level courses, in addition to documentation of performing 200 EEGs.   

Enroll in an ASET 200-level EEG course today to build professional competence. Erik Padilla from the Neurodiagnostics Epilepsy Center & Clinical Neurophysiology Ann & Rober H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago said “The EEG 200 series courses have enabled us to train from within our institution and design a standardized training program that focuses on patient safety and follows best practices within the field of neurodiagnostics.  With the demand of neurodiagnostic professional exceeding the supply of said professionals, had caused us to have vacant positions unfilled for over 2 years.  The ASET courses coupled with our hands on training program has allowed us to staff our departments with competent technologists in addition to providing Lurie Children’s employees with a fantastic training opportunity that allows them to grow professionally and acquire standardized education.”  While, Steve Bild from the Neurological Testing Center Northwestern Memorial Hospital said, “I am very impressed with the 200 Series Course. It is ideal for new learners and a great refresher for old-timers as well.  The 200 Series Courses are exactly what our Technologist-Trainees need. I also recommend them to anyone looking to brush up their EEG fundamentals. The courses are really excellent!”

The ASET courses coupled with our hands on training program has allowed us to staff our departments with competent technologists in addition to providing Lurie Children’s employees with a fantastic training opportunity that allows them to grow professionally and acquire standardized education. – Erik Padilla, MBA, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM Director, Neurodiagnostics Epilepsy Center & Clinical Neurophysiology Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Neurodiagnostic Techs will have an opportunity to progress from foundational, introductory topics to more complex subjects. This bundled 200-course series will provide a mechanism to help with on-boarding new staff members, a preparation for board examinations and most importantly a means to build professional competence. The purchase of several books will be required. Click here to learn more about ASET’s offerings in online education.

College Credit Opportunity for R. EEG T. Credential and Degree Path 

Earn your degree online with 34 college credits already applied for your R. EEG T. credential.  Are you an R. EEG T. credentialed technologist looking to advance your education and earn your degree? Enroll in online general education courses today to earn your degree and build confidence!    

Lansing Community College (LCC) is the first to accept the R. EEG T. credential for college credit. Lansing Community College has agreed to award 34 college credits for the R. EEG T. credential. The number of credits is equal to those awarded for completion of the LCC’s Neurodiagnostic program, which began in January 2018.   

Awarding college credits for professional credentials promotes an educational pathway. It also serves as an important step to elevate the minimal education level proposed by ASET in 2005, supports the ABRET Associate degree eligibility pathway (ASET Core Curriculum credits acceptable for petition of eligibility) and provides a model by which colleges could follow. These collective efforts are appropriately aligned with the ASET initiative to grow a qualified workforce. 

Colleges with a Neurodiagnostic program, especially those using the ASET courses as a “turn key” curriculum, are more likely to understand, consider and value credit options. This important step will provide an opportunity for Neurodiagnostic technologists to earn a college degree and will be mutually beneficial for ASET, ABRET and any educational institution willing to offer similar credits.  

To complete the AAS degree at LCC, EEG credentialed technologists will only need to complete the following seven general education courses which are available online: ENGL 121, COMM 110, SOCL 12o, BIOL 145, Math 119, CHSE 120 and PSYC 200.   

Amy Lee, Ed.D., RT(R)(MR), is the Director of Michigan Radiologic and Imaging Science Consortium (MiRIS). Please contact Ms. Lee via email to learn more about enrollment procedures [email protected] 

Defined College Career Path for Neurodiagnostic Technologists  

Crozer-Chester Medical Center Neurodiagnostic Program will also be accepting the R. EEG T. credential for college credit. The degree path will include an associate degree option through Delaware County Community College and Bachelor and Master degree options through Widener University. Two credentials will be awarded 51 block credits in the Bachelor’s Degree track. 

For more information please contact Linda Kelly 610-447-2902, or email [email protected].   

ASET Offers Free Skin Safety Course

This is an opportunity to learn important information about how to avoid skin breakdown for patients undergoing EEG and LTM procedures. Join us in promoting patient safety and professional competence by enrolling today. Successful completion of the course will earn you 2 free ASET CEUs!   

Add “Skin Safety Course” to your cart by searching for “Skin Safety” in the store. Or, view the “Webinar Recordings – Free Presentations” Category, then select “Skin Safety Course.” Visit the store now to get started. 

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