NEURODIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY

Neurodiagnostic technology assists in diagnosing problems with the brain, nervous

system, and sleep habits of humans. Someone in this profession uses complex diagnostic
equipment to perform tests that target these three areas of the human body. A neurodiagnostic
technologist works in a hospital or outpatient clinic setting. He/she is usually the person who
discovers abnormalities that allow thephysician to diagnosis and treat a patients problems.

Neurodiagnostic Technologist

Neurodiagnostic technologists are responsible for doing a variety of tests that look at how the
brain, nerves, and muscles work. They talk with patients and prepare them for testing by
explaining what is going to occur, how it will affect them, and why the results of the testing
will assist the patients physician. They perform the test, ensure the results are accurate, and
recognize and correct abnormalities caused by sources other than the patient.

Neurodiagnostic technologists will review, edit, and offer explanations for test results prior to
sending them to the physician. They need to ensure that the information the report relays has
value and is easy for the physician to interpret and apply to the patients clinical condition.
They need to account for normal variances versus abnormalities in testing results.

The neurodiagnostic technologist is capable of performing a variety of advanced diagnostic

tests:

electroencephalograms that measure electrical activity of the brain

nerve conduction studies that measure how the brain conducts messages to various
nerves throughout the body
electromyography, which measures the electrical activity of skeletal muscles
intraoperative monitoring of nerves and muscle responses

workplace of a Neurodiagnostic Technologist like

Neurodiagnostic technologists can expect to work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, research

facility, or a sleep study lab. The workspaces are clean but often small. The machinery takes
up a large portion of the space, leaving a relatively small space for the patient and technician.

Neurodiagnostic Technology

Neurodiagnostics is the allied health care profession that records, monitor, and
analyzes nervous system function to promote the effective treatment of pathologic
conditions. Technologists record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord,
peripheral nerves, somatosensory or motor nerve systems using a variety of techniques and
instruments. Technologists prepare data and documentation for interpretation by a
physician. Considerable individual initiative, reasoning skill, and sound judgment are all
expected of the neurodiagnostic professional. The most common neurodiagnostic procedures
are the

Electroencephalogram (EEG),

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM),

Long Term Monitoring (LTM),

Polysomnogram (PSG),

Evoked Potentials (EP), and

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS).

Accreditation

The Vanderbilt Neurodiagnostic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation

of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the
Committee on Accreditation for Neurodiagnostic Technology.

an Electroneurodiagnostic Technology
An Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist, also known as a neurodiagnostic tech. These
techs administer a variety of neurological tests according to a doctors prescription. With a
quick path to the workplace, good pay, high demand and a flexible work environment, there
are a lot of great reasons to choose a career in END technology

Patients and Technology: The Best of Both Worlds

As an Electroneurodiagnostic technologist, youll be responsible for handling and properly

using sophisticated equipment and knowing appropriate techniques. Youll also need to be
able to work with patients who are nervous or unsure about the procedure, calming them and
explaining what needs to be done. You might also work with patients who are epileptic,
children and the elderly. Some technologists in this field also work to monitor patients during
sleep studies and in surgery. The remarkable flexibility of electroneurodiagnostic techs is
another draw.

Youre not limited to EEG testing in this field. Techs also learn to administer EPs (Evoked
Potentials), EMGs (Electromyography), NCSs (Nerve Conduction Studies), and IONMs
(Intra Operative Neurophysiologic Monitoring). Each type of testing uses different tools and
methods that the electroneurodiagnostic technologist must master. As an END technologist,
youll work closely with doctors to help understand patients illnesses and bring them back to
health.

Flexible Work Environments

END technologists work in many different environments. Sleep study technicians, as well as
some other monitoring positions, sometimes work in labs, often alongside researchers. These
could be associated with hospitals, universities, and independent lab services. You might also
work next to the patients bedside, as might be the case for those requiring brainwave
monitoring for epilepsy. You could also work alongside the surgical team during certain
procedures, or in a neurologists clinic. Depending on your personal work preferences, youll
be able to find the work environment that suits your needs and your schedule.