Wednesday 30 May 2012

Online EEG Technician Classes and Courses Overview

Aspiring electroencephalography (EEG) technicians sometimes can complete the didactic portion of their education via the Internet. Online courses cover topics like common neurological disorders and EEG testing, recording and instrumentation methods. These courses generally are part of an associate-level program in electroneurodiagnostic (END) technology.

Overview of EEG Technician Courses and Classes Available Online

EEG technicians, also called electroneurodiagnostic technologists, use specialized equipment to monitor brain performance and spinal cord activity. They record and provide results of these tests to neuroscientists and might assist in interpreting results. Online EEG technician courses replace the classroom portion of an aspiring technician's education program and, when coupled with clinical practice, can lead to a certificate, diploma or associate's degree in END technology.

Course Requirements

Regular access to a computer with a fast processor and high-speed Internet access is required for online EEG courses. A sound card with speakers or headphones and a monitor capable of high-resolution, color display also is needed. Students should have a personal e-mail address and an updated web browser. Some courses might require word processing, spreadsheet or presentation software.

List of Online EEG Technician Courses

Medical Terminology Course

This course introduces students to terminology associated with medical concepts so they can identify and understand these words while working in the healthcare field. Students are oriented to common prefixes, roots and suffixes used in the field and learn to break down words into their component parts to determine meaning. Common abbreviations and symbols also are discussed. Some versions of this course utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint to help students learn and incorporate terms.

Introduction to Electroneurodiagnostics

The fundamental concepts of electroneurodiagnostics are the focus of this course, laying the foundation for performing routine EEGs within the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society's guidelines. Students are acquainted with the role of the EEG technician and instruments used in the field. Fundamental concepts like normal brain wave activity, activation procedures and recording, interpretation and pattern recognition methods also are covered.

Neuroanatomy and Physiology Course

This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and its interrelations with other bodily systems. Associated terms and functions of the brain stem, cerebrum, cerebellum, basal ganglia, diencephalon and peripheral nerves are discussed. Also included is an overview of common neurological diseases and disorders and their effects on the nervous system.

Evoked Potentials Course

Students learn to assess functions of the nervous system based on its electrical response to stimuli. Concepts and standards for the three modalities of stimulation - visual, auditory and somatosensory - are discussed in detail. Instrumentation, recording methods and applications of evoked potentials also are discussed.

Polysomnography Course

EEG methods for identifying dysfunctions of the nervous system during sleep is the focus of this course. Sleep neurophysiology is discussed in detail, along with an overview of common sleep disorders. Students learn about instrumentation and testing used in polysomnography, as well as the recording, pattern recognition and evaluation methods it employs.

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