Job description:

Interview patients to obtain information such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories.

• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.

Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status.

• Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.

• Test patient nervous system functioning.
• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.

• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
• Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.

Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.

• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
• Diagnose medical conditions.

Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.

• Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
• Administer non-intravenous medications.
• Prescribe medications.

Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke.

• Diagnose medical conditions.
• Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

Develop treatment plans based on diagnoses and on evaluation of factors such as age and general health, or procedural risks and costs.

• Develop medical treatment plans.

Inform patients or families of neurological diagnoses and prognoses, or benefits, risks and costs of various treatment plans.

• Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

Prepare, maintain, or review records that include patients' histories, neurological examination findings, treatment plans, or outcomes.

• Record patient medical histories.

Communicate with other health care professionals regarding patients' conditions and care.

• Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

Counsel patients or others on the background of neurological disorders including risk factors, or genetic or environmental concerns.

• Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.

Interpret the results of neuroimaging studies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.

• Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

Determine brain death using accepted tests and procedures.

• Test patient nervous system functioning.

Coordinate neurological services with other health care team activities.

• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Refer patients to other health care practitioners as necessary.

• Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.

Advise other physicians on the treatment of neurological problems.

• Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.

Perform specialized treatments in areas such as sleep disorders, neuroimmunology, neuro-oncology, behavioral neurology, and neurogenetics.

• Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and expand competence.

• Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

Order supportive care services such as physical therapy, specialized nursing care, and social services.

• Prescribe treatments or therapies.

Provide training to medical students or staff members.

• Train medical providers.

Prescribe or administer treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation.

• Prescribe treatments or therapies.

Supervise medical technicians in the performance of neurological diagnostic or therapeutic activities.

• Supervise patient care personnel.

Participate in neuroscience research activities.

• Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.