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Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
  • Overview
  • Curriculum
  • Admission & Tuition
  • Disclosures

Curriculum

Our IONM program provides an accelerated professional course background to prepare you to assist in delivering patient-centered care as a valued member of a healthcare team.

This CAAHEP-accredited program allows the completer to follow the American Board of Registration for END Technologists (ABRET) Pathway I towards Certification in Neurointraoperative Monitoring (CNIM). 

You will take the courses in the order listed below, gaining valuable experience in our clinical partner facilities and learning how to perform various IONM procedures including  EEG, SSEP, BAEP, MEP, EMG, cranial nerve (CN live and triggered, SEMG/TEMG) and peripheral nerve (PN) monitoring techniques. 

Semester I

Session I

2 credits

This introductory course provides a foundation for concepts and objectives based on National Professional Competencies, Professional Standards of Practice, and evidence-based theory. The role of the technologist, the operating room (OR) environment, infection control, safety, ethical and legal issues are examined. OR entrance credentialing is accomplished. The IONM industry, oversight model, job descriptions and professional organizations are analyzed. HIPPA regulations, emergency preparedness, and medical terminology are explained. Theory to complement the course "Introduction to Clinical/Lab" is incorporated, including communication, medical history taking, basic brain anatomy related to the 10-20 systems, and musculoskeletal anatomy. Somatosensory, motor, auditory, and visual pathways will be taught. 

2 credits

Introductory course designed to provide a foundation for the entering student more specific to IONM. Concepts and objectives are presented based on National Professional Competencies, Professional Standards of Practice, and evidence-based theory. Concepts will build skills that include a fundamental understanding of all neurophysiology modalities utilized in the operating room, recognizing basic normal patterns and associating basic medical terminology with each modality introduced. Basic physiology and anatomy related to terminology will complement the knowledge base for future modules. Basic and important concepts regarding neurophysiological signals (pathways, generators, waveforms) will be reviewed. IONM instrumentation, system components, digital concepts, electrical safety and basic electronics are introduced that will be applied in the lab and clinical to enhance to skill building.

2 credits

This web-based course stresses patient preparation, safety, and basic recording techniques. Concepts presented promote critical thinking and assists students in the application of theory and fundamental IONM skills. The course is accompanied by a lab experience designed to assist the learner in the attainment of theoretical knowledge to be applied to clinical skills. This course prepares the student to attend clinical in one of several healthcare facilities.

1 credit

Students attend four all-day Boot Camps in the College’s on-campus IONM simulation laboratory. Students will actively participate in competency stations designed to simulate skills such as patient preparation, safety, and basic recording. The simulation experience emphasizes critical thinking and the application of theory and fundamental skills. The Boot Camp experience is taken in conjunction with the web-based course, IOM 1030 and is designed to assist the learner in the attainment of theoretical knowledge and apply it to clinical skills.

Session II

2 credits 

Exploration of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous and muscular systems with a focus on Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring techniques and procedures. Using immersive 3D anatomy software, the student will explore and visualize components of the nervous, skeletal, muscular, and vascular systems of the human body. Using this knowledge of human anatomy, the course will also discuss the physiology of how to properly monitor these structures during surgical procedures that may put them at risk. 

2 credits 

This course builds upon fundamental concepts acquired in IONM I. A focus on the National Professional Competencies, Professional Standards of Practice, and evidence-based theory continue as more complex content is developed. Somatosensory and motor evoked potentials, brainstem auditory evoked potentials, electromyography (EMG, live and triggered, SEMG, TEMG) and train-of-four monitor are examined. More advanced skills are introduced, while further application of instrumentation and recording techniques are emphasized. The integration of abnormal patterns, artifact recognition, troubleshooting techniques and age-related patterns are an integral component of this course. Perioperative medicine, anesthesia and its effects on IONM signals are examined.

3 credits 

The simulation lab portion of this course builds upon patient preparation, safety, and recording techniques from the Intro IONM Lab course. Clinical experience begins two days per week, which takes place in one of several healthcare facilities. Emphasis is on assisting in the preparation of patients and shadowing the technologist during cases and related practice. Clinical experience will assist students in critical thinking and in the application of newly attained theory.

Semester II

Session I

2 credits

This course builds upon foundational concepts acquired in IONM II. A focus on the National Professional Competencies, Professional Standards of Practice, and evidence-based theory continue as more complex content is presented. More advanced skills are introduced, while further application of instrumentation and recording skills are emphasized. This course will examine electroencephalography (EEG), cranial nerve (CN live and triggered, SEMG/TEMG) and peripheral nerve (PN) monitoring techniques. Emphasis is on utilizing the highest professional standards and evidence-based practice. Combining research, course theory and clinical experience, students present case studies and record review incorporating modalities studied in previous modules.

2 credits

This course covers basic neuroanatomy as a foundation for understanding the neurophysiological monitoring techniques applied in various complex neurosurgical procedures such as brain, brainstem, and spinal cord tumor resections, neurovascular procedures, and microvascular decompressions. 
Prerequisite: IOM 1120

2 credits

This is a total clinical experience course with a focus on practicing patient-centered care in accordance with the ethical and legal framework of the IONM profession to ensure the highest standards of practice. Hands-on experience in more advanced skill areas will be included. The student will be a present and active participant in the set-up, troubleshooting and monitoring of each case listed in its entirety. This will enable to the student to document cases towards certification. This course utilizes an eLearning web-based courseware program designed to assist the learner and to document skills and competencies.

Session II

2 credits 

This course builds upon fundamental concepts acquired in IONM III with a continued focus on the National Professional Competencies, Profession Standards of Practice, and evidence-based theory as even more complex content is presented. Functional brain and spinal cord mapping and monitoring are explored. An overview of advanced EEG, including corticography and after-discharge monitoring, will be a focus of this course. The course requires utilization of research skills to explore the latest protocols and standards of practice. A research paper is a required assignment.

1 credit

This course prepares the student to take the ABRET Certification Examination in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM). A practice exam and strategies for taking exams will be the core of this course.

2 credits 

This course is a continuation of Clinical Practicum II, with a focus on practicing patient-centered care in accordance within the ethical and legal framework of the IONM profession to ensure the highest standards of practice. Hands-on experience in more advanced skill areas continue. The student will be a present and an active participant, gaining more supervised independence in the set-up, troubleshooting and monitoring of each case listed in its entirety. This will enable the student to document cases towards certification. This course utilizes an eLearning web-based courseware program designed to assist the learner and to document skills and competencies.

Total Credits: 25

Exemptions of IOM 1010 and IOM 1032 may be made for students working in the field of IONM. They must provide proof of employment by submitting a resume with administrative confirmation.

Two 7-week clinical add-on courses are available to successful completers. These courses are designed for the entry level IONM technologist, pre-employment, to gain more clinical experience and to log more cases in preparation to take the CNIM boards.

Learn more about this program

You'll be able to download our program info sheet and receive an email from our Admissions team with information about the admissions process, tuition, courses, and more.