Centers will be required to have a majority of all of their core staff trained– i.e., epileptologists, EEG techs, epilepsy nurses, monitor watchers. This can be accomplished through a center-developed training program or through other programs recognized by NAEC and included in the accreditation instructions. Centers must provide documentation of their training processes in their uploaded EMU policy. Centers must also demonstrate how all staff are trained to observe the safety protocols in place at the center.

NAEC requires centers to have EMU core staff who are trained to care for patients with seizures. Core staff includes hospital staff with recurring shifts in the EMU and with responsibility of responding to patients in the event of a seizure. Each team member should have defined roles and responsibilities.

The core staff include monitor watchers, patient care assistants (nursing aides), nurses, PAs, NPs, and physicians. The core staff does not include, for example, physical or occupational therapists, food service workers, or other individuals who may have regular contact with patients but have no specific responsibility to identify or manage seizures.