Clinical Neuropsychologists

19-3039.03

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Compare patients' progress before and after pharmacologic, surgical, or behavioral interventions.
• Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
• Consult with other professionals about patients' neurological conditions.
• Design or implement rehabilitation plans for patients with cognitive dysfunction.
• 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 neural and psychological conditions in medical and surgical populations, such as patients with early dementing illness or chronic pain with a neurological basis.
• Diagnose and treat pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.
• Diagnose and treat psychiatric populations for conditions such as somatoform disorder, dementias, and psychoses.
• Distinguish between psychogenic and neurogenic syndromes, two or more suspected etiologies of cerebral dysfunction, or between disorders involving complex seizures.
• Educate and supervise practicum students, psychology interns, or hospital staff.
• Establish neurobehavioral baseline measures for monitoring progressive cerebral disease or recovery.
• Identify and communicate risks associated with specific neurological surgical procedures, such as epilepsy surgery.
• Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
• Participate in educational programs, in-service training, or workshops to remain current in methods and techniques.
• Provide education or counseling to individuals and families.
• Provide psychotherapy, behavior therapy, or other counseling interventions to patients with neurological disorders.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in neuropsychology.
• Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; Noldus Information Technology The Observer XT; Statistical software
• Calendar and scheduling software - Scheduling software
• Data base user interface and query software - Database software
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Medical software - Automated Neuropsychological Metric Assessments Battery; Behavioral Assessment and Research System BARS; BrainMetric The Category Test; BrainTrain Captain's Log; CogniSyst Computerized Assessment of Response Bias CARB; Conners' Continuous Performance Test II; Interactive psychological evaluation software; MicroCog Assessment of Cognitive Functioning; Patient electronic medical record EMR software; Psychological testing software; The Tova Company Test of Variables of Attention
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
• Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
• Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
• Direct medical science or healthcare programs.
• Diagnose neural or psychological disorders.
• Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines.
• Establish standards for medical care.
• Evaluate treatment options to guide medical decisions.
• Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.
• Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
• Attend conferences or workshops to maintain professional knowledge.
• Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
• Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.