8 Skills You Need to Become a Neurodiagnostic Technologist 

Neurodiagnostic technologists are essential team members in many medical facilities. Knowing what critical skills can support regular operations can better prepare those interested in this career. 

What Does a Neurodiagnostic Technologist Do? 

Neurodiagnostic technologists are allied health professionals who use science and technology to help diagnose nervous system disorders. With the help of various tools and computers, neurodiagnostic technologists conduct tests for patients and analyze the results before reporting their findings to the doctors and nurses they work with. These individuals can work with many conditions and in various medical settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Research facilities 
• Sleep labs
• Epilepsy monitoring labs 

Neurodiagnostic technologists will use test information to identify abnormalities in nervous system operations and analyze findings with diagnoses to help doctors determine treatment options and subsequent actions. This lucrative career can support the goals and interests of many individuals looking to work in healthcare. 

 

Hard Skills You Need to Be a Neurodiagnostic Technologist 

Hard skills are the specific abilities, processes and knowledge individuals will need to complete daily operations in their position. Education, training and onboarding usually aim to teach and develop these skills, and more experience in the field usually results in more refined and efficient skills. Neurodiagnostic technologists can expect several required hard skills related to their regular job responsibilities. 

1. Running Equipment and Tests 

Because the primary responsibility of neurodiagnostic technologists is administering tests and collecting results, these individuals must have strong technical literacy and process familiarity. Neurodiagnostic technologists must operate various equipment and machinery to conduct tests and collect data. To receive reliable data and accurate test results, they must understand how to use equipment and interpret various signals and provided information. 

Neurodiagnostic technologists must also maintain and prepare the equipment. They might have to calibrate equipment before operating tests to ensure it is working correctly and will provide reliable results. These professionals must set up the equipment before appointments and reset them after tests. They will run maintenance tests and procedures to preserve equipment and software quality and performance. 

2. Analyzing Results and Suggesting Diagnoses 

After completing tests, neurodiagnostic technologists must review results and interpret data to help doctors deliver a diagnosis. Neurodiagnostic technologists learn how to analyze data to identify abnormal neural activity and potential concerns during their education. In the field, these individuals apply the same skills with added information, like information the patient discloses and observations on their behavior. 

Neurodiagnostic technologists must match data and observations with their knowledge from their training and education to suggest potential diagnoses to doctors and other medical professionals. 

3. Assessing Improvement Across Appointments 

Neurodiagnostic technologists work with all kinds of patients, including those who come in for multiple appointments. They need to determine if patient conditions are improving or worsening through data interpretation. When they deliver this information to other medical professionals, doctors and nurses can decide to continue current treatment plans or try out alternative options. 

Further, neurodiagnostic technologists can use historical data and old appointment results from patients to develop baselines for neural activity and data. From there, they can recognize when new problems or abnormalities arise for better responsiveness to patient health. 

Soft Skills You Need to Be a Neurodiagnostic Technologist 

Soft skills are often the more innate personality traits and habits individuals develop and hone throughout their lives. These skills are more challenging to teach in educational and training settings, making them highly valuable in work environments. With the diverse responsibilities held by neurodiagnostic technologists, essential soft skills can support daily operations and enhance the patient experience. 

1. Collaboration 

Neurodiagnostic technologists must work with many other individuals daily, from patients and their family members to other medical professionals like doctors and nurses. Understanding how to collaborate with other teams and audiences to reach a common solution can streamline operations for neurodiagnostic technologists, nurses, doctors and other medical teams while supporting the needs of families and patients. 

2. Communication 

While neurodiagnostic technologists spend a lot of time in their educational courses and training learning how to understand and interpret tests and data, they must also know how to communicate their findings to others they work with and in various settings. They must determine the best way to explain test results to doctors and nurses.

Neurodiagnostic technologists can benefit from being active listeners rather than working on autopilot, especially when interacting with patients. They must be able to adjust processes and approaches based on patient and family member concerns and behaviors. For example, patients might express concern over specific symptoms. A neurodiagnostic technologist can use their active listening to direct attention to those symptoms. 

3. Interpersonal Skills 

Also called social intelligence, interpersonal skills demonstrate an individual's ability to understand social situations and respond appropriately. Because neurodiagnostic technologists work closely with many parties, they must change how they interact with others depending on who they are. For example, they would speak differently to other medical professionals than patients and their families. 

Additionally, neurodiagnostic technicians must demonstrate empathy and sympathy when working with patients. Many are nervous about testing procedures with many machines and computers and the potential results that can reveal life-changing conditions. Neurodiagnostic technicians can ease anxiety by offering support and answering questions with strong interpersonal skills. 

4. Attention to Detail 

Attention to detail is essential when working with various data and testing results. The data and information that neurodiagnostic technologists receive are based on the slightest changes in electrical pulses in the nervous system. The provided data can signal the difference between normal behavior and functions and serious health concerns. Neurodiagnostic technologists must carefully examine all information to determine the differences between various conditions to make an accurate diagnosis. 

Neurological diagnoses also depend on information outside of testing data and results. Neurodiagnostic technologists must have critical attention to other details when explaining processes to patients or listening to their questions and concerns. They might notice a small behavior or habit indicating conditions for which they'll need further testing. 

5. Time Management

Neurodiagnostic technologists must handle various tasks, from multiple appointments each day to equipment maintenance and collaborations with other medical professionals. Individuals who want to work in this field can thrive with excellent time management skills, allowing them to complete all necessary daily tasks. Especially when the actions of neurodiagnostic technologists impact other medical professionals like nurses and doctors, efficiency and strong time management can streamline operations and create better services for patients. 

Develop Neurodiagnostic Technologist Skills With AIMS

The main neurodiagnostic technologist education requirement is earning a degree or certificate through an accredited program. The right program can offer opportunities for students to acquire and practice the soft and hard skills needed for this position. 

At AIMS, students can join our associate degree programs to further their careers in allied health. Our associate degree in neurodiagnostic technology offers hands-on experience, so students can develop the hard skills to better prepare them for the workplace. Students must also complete a clinical internship, introducing them to the industry and the soft and hard skills they need.

Request more information about AIMS and our neurodiagnostic technologist program today and discover how we can help you advance in your education and career.