Curriculum

Transfer of Credits: We do not accept or recognize credits or course work from any other neurodiagnostic program toward the requirements of certification.

EEG Curriculum

Semester 1: 10 Credits

Anatomy and physiology (3 credits): Introduction to anatomy and physiology with a focus on central nervous system anatomy and vasculature, basic cell anatomy with a focus on neurons, bioelectrical concepts and the production of EEG signals. This will be done through the lens of some basic pathologies. Students will utilize advanced didactic learning technologies, such as 3D software, to better understand anatomy, physiology and EEG signal production concepts.
Basic EEG concepts and the normal EEG (3 credits): Introduction to basic EEG concepts such as montages, polarity rule, frequency ranges, analog to digital conversion, electrical safety and filters with a focus on the normal EEG and how these concepts interact to create an EEG recording. Students will be able to describe a normal awake, drowsy and sleep EEG, explaining how the EEG recording is constructed and how changing filters will change the recording and when to utilize these changes on the EEG.
Modalities (2 Credits): Students will be introduced to the international 10-20 standard head measurement with hands on learning of effective measuring technique and standard 10-20 nomenclature, learning the importance of placement. Students will be required to pass measurement assessments in accords with current standards. Students will learn on trouble shooting measuring pitfalls and how to clean up patients when done. During this time the students will also learn how to operate standard equipment, and how to conduct a routine EEG from beginning to end including how to gather relevant history, running an EEG and performing activations. There will also be an introduction lab procedures and safety, understanding of MSDS, an introduction to safe handling of chemicals used in EEG labs.
Legal, ethics, professionalism and communications (2 credits): In this course students will be introduced to concepts of legality, ethics and communication in the medical field. Students will learn about HIPAA, patients’ rights and basic legal procedures. Students will also be introduced to effective and appropriate communication with patients based on age and mental status on explaining the EEG procedure and giving clear directions; ethical communication will also be covered, introducing students to the scope of practice of technologists. Students will also be introduced to the clinical site and preceptors and will start working with adult patients under supervision.

Semester 2: 13 Credits

Pediatric EEG (3 Credits): Introduction to the EEG of pediatric populations through the ages from neonatal to teenage years and discussion of the importance of the emergence of the organization of the EEG as a person age in the context of some basic developmental anatomy and physiology. Introduction to pediatric seizure and neurological conditions, complications during birth and the effect on the nervous system, special recording conditions in the pediatric population and neonatal age determination.
Intermediate EEG concepts and the abnormal EEG (3 credits): In this class students will be introduced to the abnormal EEG and the pathological reason for the abnormalities with a focus on learning seizure and interictal identification; Seizure and neurological disorders will also be covered. Students will also be introduced to the ICU and epilepsy monitoring unit environments learning the difference between long term and EMU monitoring, the indications for each, unique safety concerns to each environment, artifact identification and elimination techniques. Antiseizure medications and sedative medications will be discussed in usage and indications. Introduction into the reading of the EKG will be taught.
Modalities 2 (2 credits): A continuation of working in lab with a focus on putting class work into practice by using templates to write out practice reports on a sample routine EEG and introducing the standard ICU nomenclature, Quantitative EEG analysis and ambulatory EEGs. Students will need to continue passing measurement assessments with shorter time allowed. Students will also be introduced to basic understanding of other neurodiagnostic testing modalities: IONM, Nerve conduction, evoked potentials, Polysomnography and Magnetoencephalography.

Students will continue work with preceptors to gather routine EEG cases.
Clinical hours and mentorship (3 credits): Students will work with an assigned preceptor at designated times during this course with the requirement of rotation between Children’s and adult hospitals and working with more advanced EEG procedures such as LTM and EMU patients.
Weekly EEG samples (1 credit): In this course, each week students will provide an EEG sample from a case they encountered with a description of the sample and the reasoning or pathology behind what is being seen on the sample.
Semester project (1 credit): In this course students will be required to choose a neurological or seizure condition, either adult or pediatric, and conduct research on the topic presenting a paper or power point (do not have to do a presentation) on the condition. The progress of this project will be monitored as the semester progresses, so that topics such as effective research, literature review and case study can be discussed with a final project due at the end of the semester.

Semester 3: 7 Credits

Advanced EEG concepts and procedures (3 credits): This course will focus on advanced EEG testing and procedures such as tests involved with epilepsy surgery planning, intracranial EEG interpretation, safety and complications, stimulation mapping. Additional seizure treatment options such are neuromodulation devices will also be covered. This class will also cover the future of the EEG field, future treatment options.
Clinical hours and mentorship (3 credits): During this class it will be expected that students will be more independent but still under supervision of an assigned preceptor. Students will be expected to be setting up routines, ICU LTM patients and Emu patients During this class, students will be expected to try to shadow one advanced EEG procedure to witness class work in practice. Measure assessments will continue during this time, with a reduced time allowed for head measurement.
Weekly EEG samples (1 credit): In this course, each week students will provide an EEG sample from a case they encountered with a description of the sample and the reasoning or pathology behind what is being seen on the sample.

IONM Curriculum

Semester 1: 12 Credits

Anatomy and Physiology (3 credits)
Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body, with focused exploration of the nervous, vascular, and muscular systems. Students will utilize a variety of advanced learning techniques, such as didactic lectures with 3D and VR software, to gain hands-on understanding of anatomical concepts and their relation to neurophysiology.
Modalities I (3 credits, lab included)
Introduction to and detailed learning of basic intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Students will be introduced to the concepts of head measurement, electrode placement, fundamental modalities in relation to anatomy and physiology, and the basics of data acquisition. In lab, students will gain hands-on experience with the IONM machine, equipment placement, and the basic concepts of data acquisition.
Neuropharmacology and Physiology (3 credits)
Introduction to pharmacological and physiological concepts and their relation to nervous, vascular, and muscular systems. Students will learn anesthetic pharmacology and physiology, how these factors affect patient physiology, and their effects on IONM modalities.
Ethics, Professionalism, Conduct, and Communication (3 credits)
Understanding and practicing the concepts of ethics, safety, professional behavior, operating room etiquette, operating room roles, and appropriate communication. Students will learn the professional and ethical expectations within medical practice and IONM. These concepts include but are not limited to patient protections, national rules and regulations, HIPPA, and safety concerns alongside communication and documentation concepts and standards.
Students will be introduced to the operating room and preceptors for observation of lecture concepts.

Semester 2: 9 Credits

Electrical Concepts, Templates, and Equipment (3 credits, lab included)
Detailed learning of electrical concepts in IONM for safe and optimal data acquisition. Students will gain optimal understanding of IONM equipment and electrical interferences with the patient, OR equipment, and data acquisition. In lab, students will participate in hands-on experiences utilizing IONM machines alongside OR equipment, developing and customizing data templates, and electrode placements in both simulated and partnered exercises.
Pathologies and Procedures (3 credits lab included)
A deep dive into common and advanced patient pathologies, diagnosis and indication for surgery, surgical procedures, and the utilization of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Students will learn about relevant pathology, how it affects anatomical systems, and its influences on neurophysiological data. Students will dive into the details of surgical procedures including critical stages, relevant instrumentation/hardware, and physiological structures at risk.
Modalities II (3 credits lab included)
A deeper dive into intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and other neurophysiological testing. Students will learn more advanced intraoperative concepts and modalities as well as less common modalities and their relation to procedures. Students will learn other neurophysiological/neurodiagnostic testing, such as polysomnography (PSG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and clinical evoked potentials (EPs). Students will incorporate their knowledge in the operative room and shadow advances modalities when applicable.
Students will continue intraoperative time with preceptors.

Semester 3: 5 Credits

Clinical Hours and Mentorship (3 credits)
During this course, students will spend designated time in the operative room alongside certified preceptors collecting clinical hours. During this course, students are expected to be the primary personnel for case coverage, with certified preceptor supervision. In addition, students will partake in mentorship of a first semester student.
Evidence-Based Practice (1 credit)
Students will be introduced to concepts surrounding evidence-based practice. They will learn how to find and review pertinent literature, the basics of statistical testing, critical assessment of scientific evidence, and how to appropriately write scientific content.
Weekly Case Presentations (1 credit)
Alongside clinical hours, students will prepare one (1) case each week to present to their cohort. Case presentations will include an overview of the procedure being performed, patient diagnosis and pathologies, necessary modalities, the flow of the case, and any notable events that may have occurred.