Career options in Neurophysiology

Andrea Beale Senior Clinical Scientist (Neuro)

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

What is Neurophysiology?o A discipline within Healthcare Science

o Involved with the measurement of nervous system function to aid with the diagnosis/treatment/management of neurological disorders

o A range of tests are performed on patients of all ages, both inpatient/outpatient. Tests are mainly performed in a dedicated environment but can also be carried out at the patient’s bedside/ITU/SCBU/theatres

o Tests include EEG, EP, NCS & EMG

o The department consists of a small team including consultant Neurophysiologists, Clinical scientists, Clinical Physiologists/practitioners, assistants.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

• EEG measures the electrical activity of the brain

• Routine recordings take up to 1 hour. Longer recordings are sometimes required (ambulatory EEG/Video Telemetry/sleep studies/sleep deprived)

• EEGs are mainly used in the investigation of epilepsy/seizures, but may also be used in other conditions such as ; dementia, encephalitis, brain tumours, metabolic disorders.

Evoked Potentials (EPs)• There are three main types of EP

used to measure the integrity of nerve pathways.

• These are mainly used in the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

• EPs are also used in intra-operative monitoring at some specialist centres.

Nerve conduction studies &

Electromyography (NCS/EMG)

• NCS - Test the function of peripheral nerves mainly in the limbs

• Involves passing a small electric current across a nerve and recoding the response at another point along the nerve or from a muscle.

• EMG – Test the function of nerves/muscle and neuromuscular junctions

PTP (Practitioner Training

Programme)

Useful links:

http://www.nshcs.org.uk/nhs-practitioner-training-programme

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/education-and-training/nhs-practitioner-training-programme-(ptp)/

http://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/healthcare-science-neurophysiology

http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2016/12842/

• Undergraduate training scheme (BSc in Healthcare science)

• There are five themes available to study at PTP level

• Neurophysiology is part of the Neurosensory sciences theme which also includes Audiology and Ophthalmic & vision science

• Qualify as a healthcare science practitioner

• Universities currently offering the PTP for Neurophysiology are Manchester Metropolitan University and Middlesex University

• Entry requirements 260-280 UCAS points (BCC/BBC)

STP (Scientist Training

Programme)• Post graduate training scheme (MSc in Healthcare science) – leading to a more senior

scientist role (NHS funded)

• There are ten themes available to study at STP level

• Neurophysiology is part of Neurosensory Sciences

• Qualify as a Healthcare scientist (Neurophysiology)

• Universities currently offering the STP for Neurophysiology are Aston University and University of Manchester (MAHSE)

• Direct or In-Service entry (requires a 1st or 2:1 in a relevant pure/applied science)

Useful links:

http://www.nshcs.org.uk/nhs-scientist-training-programme

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/education-and-training/nhs-scientist-training-programme-(stp)/

http://www.aston.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-programmes/school/life-health-sciences/msc-clinical-science-neurosensory-sciences/

HSST (Higher Specialist Scientific

Training)

• A five year work based and doctoral level training scheme

• Qualify as a consultant clinical scientist

• Entry requirement – working as a clinical scientist with funding provided by NHS

• These programmes are currently under development

Benefits of working in Neurophysiology

• Opportunities for continuing progression and development in an expanding field

• Skills acquired; communication, technical, clinical, interpretation, team work, academic & practical, leadership

• Flexible working arrangements in many centres

• A rewarding career with a diverse range of work:

Wide range of clinical skills Research/development

Elderly, Adult, Paediatric, Neonatal Work as part of MDT

Outpatient/Inpatient services/theatres

Thank you for your interest

Questions?