Clinical Neurophysiology Technology Associate of Applied Science

An Affiliated Program with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences

Program Overview:

The Clinical Neurophysiology Technology Program at Mayo Clinic offers training to prepare competent entry-level neurodiagnostic technologists. Professionals in this health sciences field perform tests that assist physicians in the diagnosis and evaluation of diseases of the brain, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, and disorders of sleep using sophisticated electronic testing equipment. Neurodiagnostic technologists interact with patients who range in age from newborns to the elderly.

Graduates are eligible to take professional certification examinations given by Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation (ABRET), The Nerve Conduction Association (AAET), American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM)) and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Clinical Neurophysiology Technology program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:

• Know the practical applications and principles of clinical neurophysiology technology, including structure and function of the nervous system, instrumentation, and neurological disorders diagnosed by neurodiagnostic testing.
• Demonstrate knowledge of electroencephalography (EEG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), evoked potentials (EP), polysomnography (PSG) and autonomic testing at a level which will meet requirements for passing national registry/certification examinations.
• Acquire practical skills in EEG, NCS, EP, PSG and autonomic testing and apply these skills to provide compassionate, safe and appropriate patient care and understand their role as part of a clinical team providing comprehensive care for patients.
• Acquire skills of self-directed learning so as to update their knowledge of neurophysiology after completion of their formal studies.
• Understand the use of quality improvement techniques to enhance the accuracy and appropriateness of neurodiagnostic testing.
• Commit to practice according to the ethical principles and legal requirements of the profession of clinical neurophysiology technology and the values of Mayo Clinic.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for diversity in all professional interactions
• Exhibit appropriate and professional skills of interpersonal communication with all patients and other members of the healthcare team.
• Understand the responsibilities of all healthcare workers to contribute to enhancing the health and welfare of society.

Career Opportunities:

Career opportunities for neurodiagnostic technologists are excellent. Graduates are employed in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, epilepsy monitoring units, sleep disorder centers, research institutions and the medical instrument industry. Median annual starting salary for a full-time technologist is $47,000. Salary is dependent upon location and employer.

Additional Information:

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences (MCSHS) offers a 21-month program in neurodiagnostic (EEG, NCS, EP, PSG and autonomic testing). Neurodiagnostics is an exciting and challenging career involving the use of sophisticated equipment to perform tests that assist physicians in the diagnosis and evaluation of diseases of the brain, peripheral and autonomic nervous system and disorders of sleep and wakefulness. The technologist must be able to analyze data online making certain that it is viable and interpretable. Studies are performed in a laboratory, emergency room, operating room, intensive care unit, special monitoring units or at the patient’s bedside.

CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY AAS

MINNESOTA TRANSFER CURRICULUM (MnTC)/GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (31 CREDITS)

GOAL 1: COMMUNICATION (7 CREDITS)

• COMM 1114 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr) OR COMM 1130 – Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)
• ENGL 1117 – Reading and Writing Critically I (4 cr)

GOAL 3: NATURAL SCIENCES (15 CREDITS)

• BIOL 1217 – Anatomy and Physiology I (3 cr)
• BIOL 1218 – Anatomy and Physiology II (3 cr)
• CHEM 1117 – General, Organic and Biological Chemistry I (4 cr)
• PHYS 1103 – Principles of Physics (3 cr)

GOAL 4: MATHEMATICAL/LOGICAL REASONING (3 CREDITS)

• MATH 1115 – College Algebra I (3 cr)

GOAL 5: HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORIAL SCIENCES (3 CREDITS)

• PSYC 1611 – Psychology of Adjustment (3 cr) OR PSYC 2618 – General Psychology (4 cr)

GOAL 6: HUMANITIES AND THE FINE ARTS (3 CREDITS)

• PHIL 1125 – Ethics (3 cr) OR PHIL 1135 – Bioethics (3 cr)

MAYO CLINIC CVIS CORE REQUIREMENTS (56 CREDITS)

The following courses are offered through the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences:

• CNT 1101 – Orientation to CNT (3 cr)
• CNT 1102 – CNT Techniques EEG (2 cr)
• CNT 1103 – CNT Techniques NCS (2 cr)
• CNT 1104 – CNT Techniques EP (1 cr)
• CNT 1105 – CNT Techniques Autonomic (1 cr)
• CNT 1106 – CNT Techniques PSG (2 cr)
• CNT 1109 – CNT Professional Development I (1 cr)
• CNT 1110 – CNT Instrumentation (2 cr)
• CNT 1112 – Applied Concepts I EEG (3 cr)
• CNT 1113 – Applied Concepts II NCS (3 cr)
• CNT 1114 – Orientation to the Clin Lab/Prof Dev II (2 cr)
• CNT 2210 – Neurophysiology Lecture Series, Part 1 (1 cr)
• CNT 2211 – Neurophysiology Lecture Series, Part II (3 cr)
• CNT 2220 – Clinical Practice EEG I (3 cr)
• CNT 2221 - Clinical Practice EEG II (3 cr)
• CNT 2222 – Clinical Practice EEG III (3 cr)
• CNT 2230 - Clinical Practice NCS I (3 cr)
• CNT 2231 - Clinical Practice NCS II (3 cr)
• CNT 2240 - Clinical Practice EP/NCS (3 cr)
• CNT 2250 - Clinical Practice Autonomic (3 cr)
• CNT 2260 – Clinical Practice PSG I (3 cr)
• CNT 2261 - Clinical Practice PSG II (3 cr)
• CNT 2270 - Clinical Practice Elective (3 cr)

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES

FULL-TIME

• Semester 1 (14 CREDITS): BIOL 1217, CHEM 1117, COMM 1114 OR COMM 1130, PSYC 1611 OR PSYC 2618
• Semester 2 (17 CREDITS): BIOL 1218, ENGL 1117, MATH 1115, PHYS 1103, PHIL 1125 OR PHIL 1135
• Semester 3 (11 CREDITS): CNT 1101, CNT 1102, CNT 1103, CNT 1104, CNT 1105, CNT 1109, CNT 2210
• Semester 4 (15 CREDITS): CNT 1106, CNT 1110, CNT 1112, CNT 1113, CNT 1114, CNT 2211
• Semester 5 (15 CREDITS): CNT 2220, CNT 2221, CNT 2222, CNT 2230, CNT 2231
• Semester 6 (15 CREDITS): CNT 2240, CNT 2250, CNT 2260, CNT 2261, CNT 2270

Course descriptions can be found at: RCTC course descriptions