How do you become a surgical neurophysiologist?

2 What education and training do you need?

To become a surgical neurophysiologist, you need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as neuroscience, biology, engineering, or mathematics. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or a doctorate in clinical neurophysiology, neurodiagnostics, or related disciplines. Additionally, you need to complete a postgraduate program or an internship that provides hands-on experience in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), the term for the practice of surgical neurophysiology. You also need to obtain a certification from a recognized organization, such as the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET) or the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (ABNM).

3 What skills and qualities do you need?

As a surgical neurophysiologist, you need to have a strong background in operations research, which is the application of analytical methods and tools to optimize decision making and problem solving in complex systems. You need to be able to design, implement, and evaluate IONM protocols and procedures, using various techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), motor evoked potentials (MEP), and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). You also need to have excellent communication and teamwork skills, as you will be working closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other staff members. Moreover, you need to have a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and reliability, as your work can have a significant impact on the patient's safety and quality of life.

4 What career opportunities and challenges do you face?

As a surgical neurophysiologist, you can find employment in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, research centers, or private companies. You can also choose to specialize in certain types of surgeries, such as neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, or cardiac surgery. Depending on your level of education, experience, and certification, you can expect to earn an average salary of around $80,000 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. However, you may also face some challenges, such as long and irregular working hours, high-stress situations, ethical dilemmas, and legal liabilities. Therefore, you need to be prepared to cope with the demands and responsibilities of this profession.

5 How do you get started?

If you are interested in becoming a surgical neurophysiologist, you should start by researching the educational and training requirements, the certification options, and the job market in your area. You should also look for opportunities to gain exposure and experience in the field, such as volunteering, shadowing, or interning at a hospital or a clinic that offers IONM services. You should also network with other professionals and join relevant associations, such as the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM) or the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). By doing so, you will be able to learn more about the role, the challenges, and the rewards of being a surgical neurophysiologist.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?