Occupational Licensure: A Perspective of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists in the Operating Room

ABSTRACT.

Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring is driving the changing roles and responsibilities of electroneurodiagnostic technology. The long-standing issues of technologist education, background training, range in experience, performance abilities, and credentialing are now joined by the question of appropriate practice. This is an area of emerging controversy. Public protection and occupational accountability are central to this profound problem. Without state licensing, the controls on the occupation and voluntary certification mechanisms fall short of consumer protection. This article explores the current issues surrounding state regulation of the technology.

KEY WORDS.:

• Certification
• consumer protection
• electroneurodiagnostic technologist
• intraoperative monitoring
• legislature
• liability in tort
• lobbyist
• malpractice
• occupational licensure
• physician-extender
• public interest.