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What does a Neurologist do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists use a variety of tests and procedures to diagnose and treat these conditions.

Neurologist job duties include:

  • Examine patients to determine if their symptoms are the result of a nervous system disorder
  • Order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and EEGs
  • Prescribe medication or other treatment options
  • Perform surgery to correct certain disorders, such as removing a brain tumor
  • Advise patients and their families on how to cope with the effects of a nervous system disorder
  • Keep up with new developments in the field by reading medical journals and attending conferences
  • Train new neurologists
  • Serve on hospital committees
  • Give lectures to medical students

Neurologist Job Requirements

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. To become a neurologist, you must first complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, followed by 4 years of medical school. After medical school, you must complete a 3- to 4-year residency program in neurology. Some neurologists also choose to complete a 1- to 2-year fellowship in a subspecialty of neurology such as stroke, epilepsy, or neuromuscular disorders. To be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, you must pass written and oral exams.

Neurologist Skills

  • Able to work long hours
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Empathetic
  • Good at problem solving
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Logical thinker
  • Observant
  • Patient
  • Persistent
  • Quick thinker
  • Resourceful

Related: Top Neurologist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Neurologist

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists can treat a wide variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke.

If you are interested in becoming a neurologist, you will need to complete four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, you will need to complete a residency program in neurology, which lasts for four years. Once you have completed your training, you will be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

The field of neurology is constantly evolving, and new treatments and technologies are being developed all the time. If you want to stay at the forefront of this rapidly changing field, it is important to keep up with the latest research and developments. One way to do this is to attend conferences and seminars on neurological topics. You can also read journals such as Neurology Today or The New England Journal of Medicine.

Related: Neurologist Resume Example

Related: Neurologist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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