Neurophysiopathology technician, 30 years of history and an employment rate of over 80%
Main activities include the medico-legal assessment of brain death as well as neurophysiological diagnostic investigations prior to interventions and the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway for sleep disorders
by Angelo Mastrillo *
2' min read
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4 June marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of Decree No. 183 signed on 15 March 1995 by the Ministry of Health, establishing the Professional Profile of the Neurophysiopathology Technician (Tnfp). For the functions assigned, the Decree states that 'he/she carries out his/her activity in the field of diagnosis of pathologies of the nervous system, directly applying, on medical prescription, the specific diagnostic methods in the neurological and neurosurgical field (Electroencephalography, Electroneuromyography, Polygraphy, Evoked Potentials, Ultrasound)'.
The formation
.Training is university-based and has taken place since 1972 in the various Special Purpose Schools, in the University Diploma Courses since 1996 and in the three-year Degree Courses since 2001. The latter still exist in 15 universities: Turin, Milan, Pavia, Padua, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome Sapienza, Rome Tor Vergata, Naples, Bari, Catanzaro, Messina, Palermo and Cagliari. An average of around 150 vacancies have been advertised over the last five years, with an average of almost 300 applications, with a ratio of two applications for one place.
In the 50 years from 1975 to 2024, 3,500 Tnfp have been trained, of which about 2,100 are in activity, almost all of them with employment in public employment and private contracting, with high employment levels of 81%, according to the latest AlmaLaurea survey.
The Rignano Garganico Pact
A significant increase in employment occurred after 2005, with the gradual replacement of all of the approximately 500 nurses then employed in Eeg, with respect to which on 6 May 2004 the Association of Neurophysiopathology Technicians Aitn and the Federation of Nurses Ipasvi signed a special agreement at the Ministry of Health, the 'Rignano Garganico Pact', to gradually replace all of the nurses. This agreement, which has remained the only case within the 22 Professions, still constitutes a virtuous example of optimal inter-professional cooperation.
The Activities
.Among the most important activities carried out by the Tnfp is the medico-legal assessment of brain death with Electroencephalography (EEG) and Evoked Potentials examinations, which by law (Ministry of Health decree of 11 April 2008) are the exclusive competence of the Tnfp.
