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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?