Working as a neuropsychologist

What are the professional possibilities of a neuropsychologist? You might end up working as a clinical professional in a hospital or rehabilitation center or you can start a scientific career. After the master clinical neuropsychology it is possible to further specialize in the field of Health Care Psychology (GZ) and Clinical Neuropsychology.

Working as a clinician

Clinical neuropsychologists typically work as a member of a multidisciplinary team in neurological and psychiatric departments in (university) hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, forensic clinics, psychiatric hospitals, centers for mental health care and private practices. They can be involved in assessment, treatment and guidance of patients with brain damage:

  • Assessment: development of neuropsychological test batteries, interpreting neuropsychological tests, interview with patients and relatives, being able to report findings to experts as well as non-experts.
  • Treatment and guidance: development of a treatment plan based on the findings of neuropsychological testing, provide treatment for patients and/or their caregivers, evaluation of treatment progress, psycho-education, provide psychological support to patients with brain damage and their relatives, educate nursing teams and other professionals about behavioral and psychological consequences of cognitive deficits.
Being a professional with an academic background, the interventions of the neuropsychologist should, as much as possible be based on scientific findings (evidence based). To work as an independent clinician, it is advised to follow the 2-year postdoctoral course in Health Care Psychology (GZ opleiding). Afterwards you can specialize further by following the 3 to 4 year specialist education in Clinical Neuropsychology.


Working as a researcher

Neuroscientists typically work in (university) research institutes, pharmacological companies or (university) hospitals (for example within a neurology, psychiatry or radiology department). PhD students usually work on a specific research question within an existing research line. Their job is to become acquainted with existing scientific literature, write a research proposal, gather and analyze data, write papers to be published in scientific literature, present their findings in (international) conferences, and finally, to write and defend a doctoral thesis. PhD students working for a university also perform teaching activities (practical training, student guidance). They are usually affiliated with a research school where they follow relevant courses and present their research findings.  
 

Links to interesting websites

Web editor Psychology
Last Modified: 18-07-2008