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How to become a Neurologist

Neurologist

Career progression and salary expectations for a Neurologist

1

Junior Doctor

| Up to £28,000
2

Neurologist

| Up to £75,000
3

Consultant Neurologist

| Up to £101,000

The role of a Neurologist

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
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
"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

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