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How to become a Neurologist

Neurologist job

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Neurologist courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Neurologist

Junior Doctor

| Up to £28,000

Neurologist

| Up to £75,000

Consultant Neurologist

| Up to £101,000

The role of a Neurologist

What does a Neurologist do?

Thinking about becoming a Neurologist? It’s not brain surgery…

Neurologists diagnose and treat conditions which affect the brain and nervous system.

Although they don’t usually perform surgical procedures, they do carry out a range of other treatments to help their patients.Common afflictions treated by a Neurologist include cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. strokes), Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, brain tumours, Tourette’s, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, severe headaches, blackouts, and a number of other illnesses affecting the central and peripheral nervous system.

Day-to-day duties for a Neurologist may include:

Making appointments and consulting with clients
Carrying out clinical assessments to measure patients’ cognitive abilities
Performing MRI and CT scans
Diagnosing and treating conditions, where possible
Following up with patients that require regular care
Referring patients to specialists, or recommending them for surgery

Is a career as a Neurologist right for me?

To become a Neurologist, it takes excellent observational and problem-solving skills, not to mention a good level of persistence.

In fact, there are over 5,000 different neurological conditions, and more being discovered all the time. Diagnosis isn’t always easy, and without a good level of patience, as well as faith in your own ability, you are unlikely to succeed in this position.

Neurologists often also work on call, so being prepared to work long and unusual hours is similarly vital.

Other key skills for a Neurologist include:

Enthusiasm
Sensitivity
Compassion
Excellent communication skills
The ability to keep calm under pressure
An up-to-date understanding of neurology

What's it like to be a Neurologist?

"Neurology is such a fascinating field to work in. It’s understanding what makes us tick, and what makes us are who we are. But even after all the research we've done and progress we've made, there are still so many questions left unanswered, and working on solving them is what makes it so interesting. The hours can be long, and I'm on call most weekends, but it’s a small price to pay really. Especially if it means helping people deal with conditions which are serious affecting their health and happiness."

Get qualified as a Neurologist

To become a Neurologist, you will need to have completed a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council, as well as a two-year foundation programme which specialises in neurology.

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