Clinical Neuropsychologists
Significant human skills needed
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Assess and diagnose patients with neurobehavioral problems related to acquired or developmental disorders of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorders, and learning disabilities. Recommend treatment after diagnosis, such as therapy, medication, or surgery. Assist with evaluation before and after neurosurgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation.
Core Tasks
- Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
- Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
- Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
- 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.
- Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
- Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
- Distinguish between psychogenic and neurogenic syndromes, two or more suspected etiologies of cerebral dysfunction, or between disorders involving complex seizures.
- Diagnose and treat neural and psychological conditions in medical and surgical populations, such as patients with early dementing illness or chronic pain with a neurological basis.
- Consult with other professionals about patients' neurological conditions.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
- Diagnose and treat psychiatric populations for conditions such as somatoform disorder, dementias, and psychoses.
- Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
- Compare patients' progress before and after pharmacologic, surgical, or behavioral interventions.
- Participate in educational programs, in-service training, or workshops to remain current in methods and techniques.
- Educate and supervise practicum students, psychology interns, or hospital staff.
- Design or implement rehabilitation plans for patients with cognitive dysfunction.
- Identify and communicate risks associated with specific neurological surgical procedures, such as epilepsy surgery.
- Provide psychotherapy, behavior therapy, or other counseling interventions to patients with neurological disorders.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Provide feedback to patients and their families on the results of neuropsychological evaluations and recommendations.
Education & Training
Education Level Distribution
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Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Behavioral & Mental Health Advanced Manufacturing
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