Neurologist

At a Glance
Neurologists diagnose and treat injuries, disorders, and diseases of the nervous system.

Core Tasks
Examine patients for problems affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles Order and interpret medical tests Develop treatment plans to help patients recover from or manage their condition May specialize in certain parts of the nervous system or in neurosurgery May conduct research or teach neuroscience

Workplace
Work for hospitals, medical clinics, colleges, and research labs Some are self employed !ours can vary from "# to $# hours a %eek Often on call at any time of the day or night Dealing %ith ill patients can be stressful

Earnings
Typical Earnings Range: $40 - $120

&'##,### to &(##,### a year or more for neurologists &"#,### to &')),### a year or more for college neuroscientists Self employed neurologists pay for the costs of running their practices

Education & Training

* Doctor of Medicine +MD, degree -esidency in neurology * license to practice in your state

Level of Education
" .ear /ollege or 0niversity

Attributes & Abilities

/ommunication skills *nalytical Decisive

 /urious 1ogical

Michigan Career Pathways

Health Sciences

Job Description
Neurology is the medical field that specializes in the study of the human nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. It can be affected by debilitating diseases, such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers, as well as by mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, autism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The specialist doctors who treat patients living with these diseases and disorders are called neurologists. Neurologists examine patients who have been referred to them by other doctors. There are many tests they can perform to diagnose a patients illness. Depending on the symptoms, they may physically examine the nerves of the head and neck, or test the patients balance, reflexes, muscle strength, and range of movement. They may also test the patients cognitive abilities, including memory, speech, and sensation. In order to get more information, neurologists often have images made of parts of the nervous system through computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With these images, they can diagnose the problem and prescribe a treatment plan. Treatments vary depending on the neurological problem. For example, patients recovering from a stroke may be referred to a physical therapist who can help them regain mobility. Prescription drugs may be recommended to control some patients seizures. Or surgery may be required to repair spinal cord injuries. Some neurologists specialize in certain parts of the nervous system or in specific procedures. For example, neurosurgeons specialize in surgical procedures related to the nervous system, such as the removal of brain tumors. There are also many non-medical doctors, those with PhDs in subjects such as biology and chemistry, who study and research the nervous system. Working in labs in colleges, hospitals, and private companies, these neuroscientists perform clinical and laboratory experiments and tests in order to learn more about the nervous system and find cures or new treatments for diseases and disorders. There is a great deal of overlap between neuroscience and neurology. A large number of neurologists work in academic training hospitals, where they conduct research as neuroscientists, in addition to treating patients and teaching neurology to student doctors.

Working Conditions
Neurologists are employed by hospitals and medical clinics. Some are self-employed, opening their own private practice offices. Neuroscientists work for hospitals, colleges, government agencies, and private research labs and corporations. Most neurologists and neuroscientists are employed full-time, working a 5-day, 40 to 50-hour week. However, this number can vary considerably, depending on experience and the type of position held. Many doctors may be expected to work more hours each week, especially at the beginning of their careers. It is not uncommon for a doctor to put in more than 60 hours a week. Neurologists who work in hospitals usually have to work evening and weekend shifts to meet the needs of their patients. Doctors are also often on-call at times when they are not at work. This means that they can be called in at any time, day or night, to attend to emergencies. On-call activities can add several hours to a neurologists workweek.

Neurologists often spend part of their day in their office, interviewing and examining patients, and then spend another part of the day visiting other patients in the hospital and reviewing their progress. They also spend time meeting with doctors who have referred patients to them, discussing the patients progress. Neuroscientists spend much of their time in labs, conducting experiments, and in offices writing reports and articles. They work with other scientists and doctors, research subjects, and lab assistants. Those who have teaching duties at a college also interact with other faculty members, students, and research and teaching assistants. While neurology is not physically demanding work, there can be a great deal of stress involved. This is especially true if neurologists are working with patients who are extremely sick, or even terminally ill. Neuroscientists working in research labs may work under tight deadlines, which can also be stressful.

Earnings
Annual earnings for neurologists vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, subspecialty, and whether or not they are self-employed. According to a survey published by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the median compensation for neurologists is about $236,000 a year. For neurosurgeons the median is around $548,000 a year. It is important to remember that total compensation figures for neurologists include their base salaries plus any bonuses and earnings from overtime and on-call work. Those who are self-employed, either by themselves or as partners in a clinic, must spend part of their earnings on lab and office expenses. Most neuroscientists work as college professors or in the research labs of large companies. The median annual earnings for professors who teach biological sciences are about $74,000, with most earning between $40,000 and $155,000. However, those in senior positions at prestigious institutions can earn substantially more. In addition, neuroscientists in research positions in the private sector tend to make more on average than those at colleges. In addition to their salaries, most neurologists and neuroscientists receive benefits such as paid vacation and sick days, pension plans, and health, dental, and life insurance.

Michigan Wages
Occupation: Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

Level of E perience !ourly

Annual

Entry Wage &)232) &'#4,$4# Median Wage &4#352 &'$5,46# Experienced Wage &6#3##7 &'45,2##7
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov

Michigan Outlook
Occupation: Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

E"ploy"ent

#$%$ '(,$6# #$#$ '),("#

Change

&u"ber ',$)# Percentage '23'

Annual Average 'penings

Total (rowth )eplace"ent "($ '$) 25'

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Labor Market Information http://www.milmi.org

Education
To become a neurologist, you must be an excellent student, earning good grades in high school and college. To be eligible for medical school you have to complete at least 3 years of a bachelors degree. However, because admissions are highly competitive, many applicants obtain a 4-year degree. Students from any undergraduate program can apply, as long as they have taken certain prerequisite courses. Before you apply to medical school, you will need to write the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Your score on this test is taken into account, along with your college grades, when you apply. Admission requirements vary from school to school, so it is a good idea to contact the schools you are interested in to find out their exact requirements. Medical school takes 4 years to complete and provides a general medical education. At the end of the program, you are a Doctor of Medicine (MD). You must then complete several years of practical, on-the-job training, in hospitals or other medical settings. This training, or residency, period will provide you with specific training as a neurologist, and usually takes about 4 years to complete. To specialize in neurosurgery, you will need to complete a 6-year residency. To become a board certified neurologist, you must pass the exams set by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) or a similar board. In addition, youll need to obtain a license from the state where youll be working. To be a neuroscientist who is not also a neurologist, you must first complete a bachelors degree in neuroscience or a related discipline. Your next step is to obtain a masters degree in neuroscience (2 years to complete) and then a PhD (at least 4 years). While there may be research positions available to those with a masters degree, you generally need a PhD to become a professor or a senior research scientist.

Related College Programs

Medicine Neuroscience Neurobiology and Anatomy Neurobiology and Behavior

Other Suggested Qualifications

To be a neurologist, you need to have a broad interest in the health sciences, as this is an interdisciplinary field (it covers many different fields of study). You should be an excellent communicator who enjoys helping people. An analytical mind and strong decision-making skills are also essential qualities. For those interested in conducting research, curiosity is very important, but so is patience. It can take many years, and numerous attempts, to prove or disprove a theory. You should be inquisitive, able to think logically, and have excellent interpersonal skills.

Suggested High School Subjects

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English Mathematics 8hysical Sciences 9iology Social Studies :eography

English Mathematics 8hysical Sciences 9iology Social Studies !istory

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!ealth ; 8hysical Education /omputers /omputers

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English Mathematics 8robability ; Statistics 9iology /hemistry 8hysics Economics 1a% ; :overnment /omputers
Important

English *lgebra /alculus *natomy ; 8hysiology 9iology /hemistry 8hysics Social Studies /omputers

Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements. Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.

Level %

+a"ple Title Earnings

-esident &"),### to &$#,### a year < Doctor of Medicine +MD, degree )e,uire"ents < *ccepted into a neurology residency program Working in a hospital or other medical setting= receiving extensive on the >ob )esponsibilities training in neurology= %orking %ith trained neurologists, conducting exams and treating patients3
Level #

+a"ple Title Earnings

?eurologist &')#,### to &2)#,### a year < /ompletion of residency program )e,uire"ents < /ompletion of medical licensing exams < 1icensed by your state Employed by a hospital or clinic= examining and treating patients= consulting %ith other doctors and scientists= explaining results and making recommendations to )esponsibilities referring doctor and patients= prescribing courses of treatment= possibly conducting clinical research and publishing results= teaching neurology residents3
Level -

+a"ple Title Earnings )e,uire"ents

/hief of ?eurology &2##,### to &"##,### a year < Many years of experience as a neurologist < -ecord of excellence as a medical researcher and teacher < Several published articles in scholarly >ournals

Level -

)esponsibilities

Managing departmental budget= supervising, hiring, and evaluating personnel= supervising clinical research and teaching programs3

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National Employment by Industry

.ndustry / E"ployed

!ealth /are and Social *ssistance 55 Self Employed '2

Source: O*Net Online, Browse by Industry, US Department of Labor http://online.onetcenter.org/find/industry

Other Resources
0rain1acts2'rg *n excellent site filled %ith great information about neuroscience and the brain@ httpABB%%%3brainfacts3org +ociety for &euroscience 3+f&4 * national membership society created to promote the exchange of information among scientists and physicians in neuroscience3 /lick on *bout Sf? and then on What Cs ?euroscienceD to learn more about this field3 httpABB%%%3sfn3org A"erican Acade"y of &eurology 3AA&4 **? is an association of neuroscience professionals3 /lick on 8ractice and check out the 8atient -esources for information about neurological conditions3 httpABB%%%3aan3com !ealthCo""unities2Co" 5 0rain & &erves *n informative site that provides a %ealth of information about different neurological disorders3

httpABB%%%3healthcommunities3comBhealth topicsBbrain nerves3shtml A"erican 0oard of Psychiatry and &eurology 3A0P&4 * national organization that certifies neurologists and psychiatrists3 9e sure to check out the subspecialties in neurology and psychiatry on the left side of the page3 httpABB%%%3abpn3com A"erican Medical Association 3AMA4 *M* represents physicians from across the country3 Scroll over Education and click on 9ecoming * 8hysician to get information about reEuirements, specialties, and more3 httpABB%%%3ama assn3org +tudent 6octor &etwork 3+6&4 Fhis net%ork of students and health professionals aims to help health students successfully pursue a career in this industry3 Cn the *rticles ; Cntervie%s section, you can find lots of helpful information3 httpABB%%%3studentdoctor3net &ational Pre"ed Consulting 5 The Top 1ive 7ualities of +uccessful 6octors Gind out %hich Eualities you %ill need to be successful in this field3 httpABB%%%3nationalpremedconsulting3comBarticlesBthe top five Eualities of successful doctors3php !ow+tuffWorks 5 !ow 0eco"ing a 6octor Works Fhis in depth guide from !o%StuffWorks offers great information about becoming a doctor3 httpABB%%%3ho%stuff%orks3comBbecoming a doctor3htm Association of A"erican Medical Colleges 5 Medical College Ad"ission Test Fhe official %ebsite of the M/*F exam, %hich is mandatory to apply to medical schools3 /lick on *bout Fhe M/*F Exam to learn more about the examination process3 httpABB%%%3aamc3orgBstudentsBapplyingBmcat 'ccupational 'utlook !andbook 5 Physicians and +urgeons /areer information from the 0S Department of 1abor3 httpABB%%%3bls3govBoohBhealthcareBphysicians and surgeons3htm