Neurologists

• Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status.
• Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.
• Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
• Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.
• Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.
• Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke.
• Develop treatment plans based on diagnoses and on evaluation of factors such as age and general health, or procedural risks and costs.
• Inform patients or families of neurological diagnoses and prognoses, or benefits, risks and costs of various treatment plans.
• Prepare, maintain, or review records that include patients' histories, neurological examination findings, treatment plans, or outcomes.
• Communicate with other health care professionals regarding patients' conditions and care.
• Counsel patients or others on the background of neurological disorders including risk factors, or genetic or environmental concerns.
• Interpret the results of neuroimaging studies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.
• Determine brain death using accepted tests and procedures.
• Coordinate neurological services with other health care team activities.
• Refer patients to other health care practitioners as necessary.
• Advise other physicians on the treatment of neurological problems.
• Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and expand competence.
• Order supportive care services such as physical therapy, specialized nursing care, and social services.
• Provide training to medical students or staff members.
• Supervise medical technicians in the performance of neurological diagnostic or therapeutic activities.
• Participate in neuroscience research activities.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Neurologists.

• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Neurologists.