How to Fill a Shortage of Specialists in ALS, Epilepsy, and Stroke
Partnership with Foothill College will create Northern California’s first program to develop much-needed neurodiagnostic technology training for the diagnosis of neurological disorders.
UCSF Health today announced a $170,000 investment in start-up funding to partner with Foothill College to develop a new two-year Neurodiagnostic Technologist (NDT) program. This landmark initiative will establish the first NDT degree program (A.S.) in Northern California, with the inaugural class of students scheduled to begin in Fall 2027.
The new program will train students in core diagnostic procedures including electroencephalograms (EEG), polysomnograms (sleep studies), and intraoperative monitoring (IONM), which tracks nerve function in real-time during surgery to prevent permanent damage.
Neurodiagnostic technologists are specialized health care professionals — often described as the "electricians" of the human body — who record and monitor the electrical activity of the brain and nervous system. Their work is vital for diagnosing and managing conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, stroke, and neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Despite the critical nature of this role, the profession is currently facing a "workforce crisis" with no accredited training programs located in Northern California.
“We are proud to be able to partner with Foothill College to improve diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders,” said Sheila Antrum, MHSA, senior vice president and chief operating officer of UCSF Health. “This partnership will provide valuable expertise that we hope will increase access to world-class neurodiagnostic care for patients around the Bay Area.”
The Bay Area is one of the most competitive markets for NDTs, with registered technologists at major hospitals earning $100,000 or more annually. However, local employers have frequently reported that positions remain vacant for months due to a lack of skilled professionals in the region.
“We are deeply grateful to UCSF Health for their visionary support and partnership,” said Foothill College President Kristina Whalen. “This $170,000 gift allows Foothill to expand our Allied Health offerings at our Sunnyvale location and address a critical gap in the California health care system. We are excited to offer our students a pathway into a high-wage, high-impact career that is essential to modern medicine.”
The program's development is guided by the Bay Area Neurodiagnostic Technology Program Advisory Committee, which includes a coalition of leading health care providers. In addition to UCSF Health and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, clinical site partners supporting the program's establishment include Stanford Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Highland Hospital, and UC Davis Medical Center.
About Foothill College: Located in Los Altos Hills and Sunnyvale, California, Foothill College offers award-winning curriculum and comprehensive Allied Health programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the Silicon Valley workforce.
About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is highly-ranked hospital, as well as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland; two community hospitals, UCSF Health Stanyan and UCSF Health Hyde; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital; UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. Visit www.ucsfhealth.org. Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter.