Career Profile - Angie Lalor

I graduated from the Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience in 2003 and I am currently working in my first graduate position, as a Neurophysiology Technician, at Monash Neurology. My job involves performing a number of tests, including the electroencephalogram (EEG) which measures the electrical activity of the brain, Evoked Potentials which are used for neurological assessment of the visual, auditory and somatosensory systems, and Vestibular Function Testing (VFT), as well as assisting in Nerve Conduction and Autonomic Function Testing. It takes about 18 months to be fully trained and qualified in all of these tests. Since beginning my job, I have been trained to perform EEGs, and I am currently being trained to conduct VFTs.

Monash Neurology is a private practice, and is located in Monash Medical Centre, so as well as performing testing on outpatients, we also test hospital inpatients when required.

Studying the Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience has provided me with a solid understanding of the structural and functional organisation of the brain and the nervous system. I have found this strong background in neuroscience to be extremely valuable in my job, as it provides a base for me to build upon with more specific information related to the particular areas of neuroscience we are involved in. In addition, the class discussions with patients, undertaken during the third year of the course, provided me with an appreciation of neurological disorders from a patient's perspective, which is extremely important when working in a clinical setting.

The qualification necessary for the position of Neurophysiology Technician is a Bachelor of Science or Applied Science.The fact that the content of Behavioural Neuroscience is so specifically geared towards neuroscience, and thus very closely related to the requirements of this position, is an advantage when looking for a job in this area.

In terms of development from here on, for the immediate future my main focus is to develop my skills in all the tests conducted by Monash Neurology, and to build up my knowledge and understanding of the specific medical conditions we encounter.