About the Profession
Neurodiagnostic Technologists support patient care by recording, monitoring, and analyzing nervous system function. They record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves using a variety of techniques and instruments. They then prepare the data and documentation for interpretation by a physician. The profession requires considerable individual initiative, reasoning, and judgment. If that sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.
Common areas of practice include Electroencephalography (EEG), Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM), Long Term Monitoring (LTM), Polysomnography (PSG), Evoked Potentials (EP), and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). You can learn more about the profession from ASET, The Neurodiagnostic Society.
About the Program
Earn while you learn! Not only will VUMC cover the cost of your tuition, you will receive an hourly wage throughout the program with the expectation that upon program completion, you commit to a full-time position as a neurodiagnostic technologist at VUMC and continue in that role for 1 year.
The Vanderbilt Neurodiagnostic Training (NDT) Program will prepare you to become an entry-level technologist who specializes in performing EEG studies. During our 12-month program, you will receive extensive training in the classroom and a variety of VUMC clinical settings.
Program Structure
This is a full-time (32 hours/week), in-person program, divided into 3 unequal trimesters, each of which includes a didactic and an experiential component. During clinical practicums, students train in VUMC neurodiagnostic laboratories under supervision.
1st trimester
- NDT100: Introduction to Neurodiagnostic Technology
- NDT200: Electroencephalography Skills Laboratory
2nd trimester
- NDT110: Principles of Clinical Electroencephalography
- NDT210: Practicum in Clinical Electroencephalography I
3rd trimester
- NDT120: Advanced Topics in Neurodiagnostic Technology
- NDT220: Practicum in Neurodiagnostic Technology II
Credentialing
ABRET (Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation) is the credentialing board for EEG and other neurodiagnostic specialties. The VUMC NDT Training Program is ABRET-recognized. Trainees who complete the program are eligible to sit for the ABRET Registration Examination for Electroencephalographic Technologists. Those who pass the exam will be registered as electroencephalographic technologists for a period of 5 years and will be authorized to use the designation R. EEG T.
Detailed information on the exam, including application and scheduling, can be found in the ABRET Handbook for R. EEG T. candidates here. Vanderbilt NDT students are expected to take the ABRET EEG Registration Examination within 2 months of their eligibility. Trainees will be reimbursed for the exam cost (once).
Admission Requirements
- U.S citizenship, permanent resident status, or otherwise eligible to work in the U.S.
- High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency
- Complete NDT Program application
- Resume
- Experience in patient care or prior use of EEG (or related technology) preferred but not required
Students who have completed coursework abroad must have also completed coursework in English, whether in the U.S. or another English-speaking country, or submit documentation of English competency in reading and writing through a TOEFL evaluation.
Application Process
Please note: Our next cohort is expected to start on August 18, 2025. The application period will open on Monday, March 31. Applications are accepted through the VUMC Human Resources Department. Please check the job search page for opportunities here.
Want to learn more?
Please attend a virtual information session using this link.
Spring 2025 virtual information session dates and times follow:
- Monday, March 24, at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, March 27, at 9 a.m.
- Friday, March 28, at 8 a.m.
- Monday, April 7, at 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 9, at 6 p.m.
- Friday, April 11, at noon
Contact Info
Kyle L. Dean, R. EEG T., CLTM, CNIM
Program Director
kyle.l.dean.1@vumc.org