Job Description for a Pediatric Neurologist
Neurology is a complex branch of medicine focusing primarily on the nervous system and the brain. Neurologists examine, diagnose and treat disorders and diseases that may occur to the nervous system such as bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. Pediatric neurologists are specialized physicians trained to assist children with mild to severe neurological and behavioral conditions. A pediatric neurologist will determine the care necessary by examining the patient and obtaining a medical history. Through specialized testing, counseling and sometimes medications, pediatric neurologists are able to diagnose and treat patients and help families to manage care, allowing children with these conditions to live as normal a life as possible.
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Working Conditions
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Pediatric neurologists can work in private practices, the neurology department of a hospital or in special programs for clinical trials and research. Pediatric neurologists who work in a private practice commonly have control over the hours in which they work. Those working in hospitals may need to work evenings, weekends or be on call for emergencies. Pediatric neurologists work closely with other health care professionals such as pediatricians, hospital staff and psychologists to provide patients with complete and accurate care.
Job Skills
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Pediatric neurologists must be patient and communicate well with children and their families. Mostly, they should have the desire to help people and make them feel better. Pediatric neurologists are required to keep accurate and sometimes lengthy medical reports, therefore organization is a key skill in this career. A sense of humor may assist in helping deal with children who may often exhibit difficult behaviors due to neurological disorders.
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Educational Requirements
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In order to become a pediatric neurologist, students must earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, attend four years of medical school to become a general physician and serve between three and eight years of residency and internship studying neurology in both adults and children. Additionally, pediatric neurologists must pass state and national exams in order to practice neurological medicine.
Earnings
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Annual salaries for pediatric neurologists may vary greatly depending on experience, geographical location and bonus or benefit packages. According to PayScale.com, in June 2010, pediatric neurologists earned between $116,180 and $199,989 annually.
Career Outlook
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for physicians including pediatric neurologists were expected to increase about 22 percent between 2008 and 2018 as advances in the health care industry continue developing.
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References
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- Photo Credit blue brain image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
