Pathway now available for new STP in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring

We are very pleased to share with you the new pathway for the Neurophysiology STP in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM). Click this link to view the curriculum.

The curriculum provides a specialist route in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring through the Neurophysiology STP. All trainees will follow a shared curriculum to build a common skill set in Neurophysiology, with new modules developed for the later stages of training for trainees following the IOMN route. These new modules have been developed by scientific experts in the field to provide trainees with the knowledge and skills to begin their career as a Clinical Scientist in Neurophysiology specialising in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring.

On Friday 14 June 2024 we hosted a webinar to introduce the new curriculum. The webinar includes information on the steps required to host a trainee on the programme in your department. Click this link to watch the webinar. The curricula will be delivered from September 2025 and the expression of interest to host an STP trainee in all specialties is expected to be circulated shortly. Please get in touch with your local Healthcare Science Lead for more information. You can find more information about getting a trainee on our website including contact details for your local Healthcare Science Lead.

We’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Lead Editor Rachel Hutchings and all members of the Curriculum Development Group for their hard work and dedication to the development of this curriculum. Earlier in the year we asked for your thoughts on the draft curricula, and we’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who provided feedback. You can see how your comments shaped the final curriculum in the STP Intraoperative Neuromonitoring curriculum stakeholder feedback document.

Comment from Neurophysiology Curriculum Lead Editor, Rachel Hutchings

I am delighted to announce that the new Neurophysiology STP curriculum, specialising in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) has now been finalised by the National School of Healthcare Science. An academic programme, leading to HCPC registration, has long been awaited by the IONM community. The review process commenced with an assembly of very experienced practitioners from a variety of specialisms and elicited some great discussions about the way forward. The scope of the programme has focussed primarily on spinal monitoring as the foundation for academic and practical learning outcomes but introduces more complex techniques for career progression. This curriculum now provides a robust and quality assured route to regulation and recognition. I would like to thank everyone involved with the process.

EMma Bowers, NSHCS STP Training Programme Director said:

It has been exciting to see the development of the Neurophysiology STP curriculum to include Intraoperative Neuromonitoring. This development was due to a fully justified request from the profession to support the vision that clinicians who perform Intraoperative Neuromonitoring are registered. We are now able to provide reassurance to patients that the trained personnel who monitor their spinal cord whilst they are undergoing surgery have met required standards in their training and continue to develop professionally.