Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to diagnose and treat disorders of higher cerebral functioning.
Table of Contents
Job Description
Clinical Neuropsychologists apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to diagnose and treat disorders of higher cerebral functioning. They also write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
Other tasks include:
- Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
- Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
- Diagnose and treat conditions involving injury to the central nervous system, such as cerebrovascular accidents, neoplasms, infectious or inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, head traumas, demyelinating diseases, and various forms of dementing illnesses.
- Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
- Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
We asked Clinical Neuropsychologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.
69%
65%
69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.
Typical Day At Work
On a daily basis, Clinical Neuropsychologists conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory. They write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
A typical day for a Neuropsychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist will also include:
- Diagnose and treat conditions involving injury to the central nervous system, such as cerebrovascular accidents, neoplasms, infectious or inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, head traumas, demyelinating diseases, and various forms of dementing illnesses.
- Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
- Educate and supervise practicum students, psychology interns, or hospital staff.
- Design or implement rehabilitation plans for patients with cognitive dysfunction.
We asked some Clinical Neuropsychologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.
Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? | 85% said yes | |
How important is it to work in a team in this job? | 24% said very important | |
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? | 97% said yes | |
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? | 41% said yes | |
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? | 6% said yes | |
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? | 44% said yes |
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Clinical Neuropsychologists also establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery. They may also participate in educational programs, in-service training, or workshops to remain current in methods and techniques.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Clinical Neuropsychologists Diagnose and treat psychiatric populations for conditions such as somatoform disorder, dementias, and psychoses. They might also Compare patients’ progress before and after pharmacologic, surgical, or behavioral interventions.
In addition, they Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
To some Clinical Neuropsychologists, it is also their responsibility to Distinguish between psychogenic and neurogenic syndromes, two or more suspected etiologies of cerebral dysfunction, or between disorders involving complex seizures.
Working life
More than 40 hours per week
Regular schedule like a 9 to 5
In a typical work week as a Neuropsychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.
Is this right for me
The Thinkers and The Helpers
People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
Learn more about Clinical Neuropsychologists
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