Course Description

This is a 3-month hands-on training program with the objective to train qualified hospital or laboratory personnel in the 1) operation of an Electrodiagnostic laboratory, 2) performance of nerve conduction velocity and evoked potential studies and 3) recognition of normal and abnormal NCV recordings and evoked potential studies.

A Certificate of Completion signed by PGH and the Department of Neurosciences shall be awarded to the trainee after successfully fulfilling the requirements of the training program.

Course Schedule and Time Lines

Course Schedule: The course will be offered for 3 months, twice a year.

First Training Period

Deadline of Application: February 28

Interview period: March 1- March 31

Duration of course: May 1 - July 31

Second Training Period

Deadline of Application: May 31

Interview period: June 1- June 30

Duration of course: August 1 - October 31

Application to the Course

Letter of application with the required documents shall be submitted to the Department of Neurosciences on or before the deadline. Online applications may be sent via email to uppgh.neuro@yahoo.com.

Number of Trainees admitted per Calendar Year: Maximum of 2 NCV technician trainees at a time, at the discretion of the Department of Neurosciences electrodiagnostic service.

Eligibility

1. must be at least a college graduate (with preference for graduates of Health Sciences courses)

2. must have basic computer knowledge, including Microsoft Word and Excel

3. must be an employee of a hospital with an EMG NCV laboratory under the supervision of an active PNA Fellow

​

Electrodiagnostic Training Fees

Php 45,000 for the 3-month training program to be paid in advance before the start of the training program, non-refundable. Extension of training beyond 3 months will be charged Php 15,000/month.

Application requirements

1. Letter of Application addressed to the Director through the Chair of the Department of Neurosciences

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Basic Life Support certificate (may be waived if graduate of a nursing or allied medical science course)

3. NBI Clearance

4. College Diploma and Transcript of Records (certified true copy)

5. Certificate of Employment

6. Letter of Recommendation/Character Reference (2)

7. Letter of Endorsement from PNA Fellow supervising the EMG NCV Lab where applicant is connected.

Procedure for Application

1. Submit letter of application with all the required documents to the Department of Neurosciences.

2. Interview to be scheduled by the Electrodiagnostic Service of the Department of Neurosciences.

3. The Electrodiagnostic Service shall inform the successful applicant of the admission to the training program within a week after the interview.

4. A letter will be sent to the Director’s Office recommending the acceptance of the applicant to the training program.

5. A Memorandum of Agreement between the PGH and the applicant shall be signed and submitted to the PGH Director’s Office before the start of the training.

6. The training fee of Php 45,000 shall be made directly to the PGH Cash Services Division before the start of the training.

​

TRAINING PROGRAM

• The electrodiagnostic technician trainee shall undergo an orientation to be conducted by the electrodiagnostic service.

• The electrodiagnostic technician trainee shall spend time at the electrodiagnostic laboratory at the Central Block Neurophysiology laboratory. He/she shall report to the designated laboratory from 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday except during official holidays.

• The first two weeks shall be spent as an observer and assistant at the electrodiagnostic laboratory at the Central Block Neurophysiology laboratory. During the rest of the training period, he/she shall participate in the day-to-day operations of the laboratory in order to learn the basic knowledge and develop the skills in:

  • Instrumentation, technical considerations and patient safety

  • Nerve conduction techniques

  • Common sensory and motor tests

  • Upper extremities: median, ulnar, radial F-Wave

  • Lower extremities: peroneal, tibial, sural, F-wave, H-reflex

  • Uncommon tests

  • Upper and lower extremities

  • Other tests

  • Spinal accessory

  • Blink reflex

  • Facial nerve conduction studies

  • Repetitive nerve stimulation studies

  • Evoked potential studies

  • The instruction, sedation, and assurance of patients

  • The handling of patient's queries

  • The digital filing and storage of data

  • The typing and releasing of test results

• Calendar of Activities

  • Daily activities

    • Daily attendance in the electrodiagnostic laboratory

    • Observation and hands-on in the performance of NCV and evoked potential studies

  • Weekly activities

    • Weekly EMG-NCV and evoked potential readings with consultant

    • Week 1:  Anatomy of the peripheral nervous system

    • Week 2: Physiology and pathophysiology of the peripheral nervous system

    • Week 3: Instrumentation, technical considerations and patient safety

    • Week 4: Nerve conduction and evoked potential study techniques

    • Week 12: Evaluation

• He/she shall attend EMG-NCV and evoked potential reading sessions with the residents and consultants every week.

• He/she may be asked to report, lecture and perform other duties as determined by the respective heads of the electrodiagnostic unit. 

• At the end of 3 months, he/she shall be evaluated by the electrodiagnostic service to determine attainment of the necessary knowledge and skills as stated in the objectives of the training program. If the trainee fails to meet the necessary requirements for successful completion of the training program, the electrodiagnostic service reserves the right to extend the training by another 1-3 months with corresponding training fees.

• A Certificate of Completion shall be awarded only after satisfactory completion of all the requirements of the training program.

Required Readings

In addition to attending the weekly electrodiagnostic conferences which shall cover topics like basic electrodiagnostic lecture series, case presentations, and interesting cases, the trainee is required to read on the following topics during the period of training:

• Anatomy of the peripheral nervous system

• Physiology and pathophysiology of the peripheral nervous system

• Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the visual, auditory, and somatosensory pathways

References:

Aminoff MJ. Aminoff’s Electrodiagnosis in Clinical Neurology. 2012. 6th Ed

Kimura, J. Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle: Principles and Practice. 2013. 4th Ed

Electrodiagnostic manuals

Requirements for Completion of Training

1. Minimum of three (3) months training, depending on performance.

2. Daily, full-time 8-hour duties at the electrodiagnostic laboratory (with attendance logbook signed by EMG-NCV supervisor)

3. Performed and assisted in at least 100 NCV and related studies and 30 evoked potential studies (with logbook signed by EMG-NCV laboratory technician supervisor and faculty)

4. Attendance in reading sessions with consultants (with attendance logbook signed by faculty)

5. Written examination.

6. Practical examination.

7. >50% Attendance in the Department of Neurosciences electrodiagnostic conferences (with attendance logbook signed by faculty)        

ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC SERVICE

FACULTY

Jose Paciano Baltazar T. Reyes, MD FPNA

Geraldine Espiritu, MD FPNA

EMG-NCV Laboratory Technician:

Epifania Tacub

Neurophysiology fellow / resident rotator