Overview
The purpose of the IONM Certificate program is to provide high quality education for entry-level Neuromonitorists. This is a hybrid program designed for individuals who want a flexible classroom schedule and who may not have access to local neurodiagnostic education. The curriculum includes a variety of classes in IONM technology. This is an asynchronous program and requires weekly online class assignments. Students are also required to attend a minimum number of synchronous online meetings each semester. Students have to complete a minimum of 237 hours of clinical experience.
Students in this program have to be technologically competent in the use of computers, self-motivated, independent, and possess a strong desire to work in this field.
Curriculum
The IONM certificate program provides an accelerated professional course background that prepares the student to assist in the delivery of patient-centered care as a valued member of the healthcare team.
The program has several outstanding clinical affiliates in and outside of the New England area. Students will gain valuable experience in these facilities and will learn how to perform intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), including EEG, SSEP, BAEP, MEP, EMG, cranial nerve (CN live and triggered, SEMG/TEMG) and peripheral nerve (PN) monitoring techniques.
This is a hybrid program and, as such, students are required to attend three all-day hybrid labs scheduled on Saturdays during the first eight weeks of the program. Absences for these labs will need to be made up before the student can attend future courses. Make-ups are only offered with the next regularly scheduled cohort.
Program Outcomes
Completers of the IONM certificate program will learn to accomplish the following:
- Collaborate as an integral part of the interdisciplinary operating room team, delivering professional competent neuromonitoring, which results in improved patient outcomes;
- Utilize critical thinking skills essential to the IONM technologist, enabling the technologist to excel in the monitorist’s role;
- Understand, recognize, and engage in research- and information-seeking strategies to maintain accepted standards of professional behavior while using evidence-based medicine as an IONM health care specialist; and
- Work within the ethico-legal framework of the profession.
Articulation Agreements
The program in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring fosters educational mobility for its completers who want to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. The College has formal articulation agreements with Northeastern University College of Professional Studies for the Bachelor of Science in Health Management and Health Science. Additionally, completers of the program have earned Bachelor’s degrees at the University of Massachusetts Boston and other area colleges.
Course Sequences and Prerequisites
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Certificate Program (IOM)
Course Sequence:
| IOM 1010 | Introduction to Neurodiagnostic Technology (NDT)/Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) | 2 |
| IOM 1020 | Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) | 2 |
| IOM 1030 | Introduction to Clinical Education/Laboratory | 2-3 |
| IOM 1120 | IONM Anatomy & Physiology I | 2 |
| IOM 1130 | Intraoperative Neuromonitoring II | 2 |
| IOM 1140 | Clinical Education I | 3 |
| IOM 2010 | Intraoperative Neuromonitoring III/Modalities | 2 |
| IOM 2021 | IONM Anatomy and Physiology II | 2 |
| IOM 2030 | Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| IOM 2120 | IONM IV / Advanced EEG and Related Procedures | 2 |
| IOM 2130 | CNIM Prep | 1 |
| IOM 2140 | Clinical Practicum III | 2 |
Program of Study
While the College makes every effort to avoid schedule changes, the College may cancel courses or alter course schedules without prior notification.
Semester I (Weeks 1-7)
| IOM 1010 | Introduction to Neurodiagnostic Technology (NDT)/Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) | 2 |
| IOM 1020 | Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) | 2 |
| IOM 1030 | Introduction to Clinical Education/Laboratory | 2-3 |
Semester I (Weeks 8-14)
IOM 1140: More extensive clinical experience may be necessary to further develop skills.
Semester II (Weeks 1-7)
| IOM 2010 | Intraoperative Neuromonitoring III/Modalities | 2 |
| IOM 2021 | IONM Anatomy and Physiology II | 2 |
| IOM 2030 | Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
Semester II (Weeks 8-14)
Total: 19-25 credits
Students are required to take courses in the sequence in which they are offered. Students are awarded the certificate after meeting the criteria below:
- Successful completion of the certificate program as prescribed by the College
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher
- A minimum grade of C (2.0) in all IONM professional courses
- Completion of all IONM program requirements within two years of enrollment at the College