Neuro+Psychology


 * Neuropsychology! **
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 * The Human Brain || http://www.abta.org/Care_&_Support/Neuropsychology/50 ||

In addition, neuropsychologists explore the relationships between brain systems and behavior while clinical neuropsychologists also assess and treat people. Neuropsychologists now work more with health teams to help brain-injured people resume productive lives and thanks to them, more people have a better chance at living. (Unknown, 2011)
 * Introduction: ** Neuropsychology is defined as “a sub-specialty of clinical psychology, specializing in the relationship between the brain, thinking, and behavior.” (Unknown, 2009) In other words, neuropsychology is the study of the brain and how it functions. The field of neuropsychology studies a range of topics from how the brain develops cognitive skills as an adolescent, how a severe brain injury effects a individual’s brain and their function level, or studying a psychological disease (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and how it affects the brain and how a person functions.

a. University of Michigan offers i n-state tuition at $24,937 while out-of-state is $49,101 (per year) (Unknown, 2011) b. Yale University costs $54,950 (per year) (Unknown, 2011) c. California State University Long Beach also offers i n-state tuition at $15,848 and out-of-state is $27,008 (per year) (Unknown, 2011)
 * How to become a neuropsychologist **
 * 1) Enroll at a college that offers a 4-year degree in psychology
 * 2) Complete the 4 years of psychology schooling

3. Next, find a school that has a degree that will allow you to specialize in neuropsychology. Then complete 3-4 years there. a.Stanford University will cost you $56,906 (per year) (Unknown, 2011) b.Washington University offers $60,196 worth of tuition (per year) (Unknown, 2011) c.University of Pittsburgh requires an i n-state cost of $25,562, while out-of-state is $34,970 (per year) (Unknown, 2011)

4.After completing your degree in neuropsychology, get some sort of internship so you can get real-world experience (at least 2 years or so), that is supervised by licensed neuropsychologsts.

5. Finally, start your own practice. Now you’re a fully certified neuropsychologist, congrats!

Neurologist []


 * Pediatric Neuropsychology **


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A big part in the neuropsychology field is pediatric neuropsychology, which has been growing substantially over the years and has a lot to offer to kids with abnormalities in the brain. Child neurologists are now very important in medical pediatrics and require quite a bit of schooling to get their job status. They are specially trained physicians who have finished their four-year medical school education with a five-year post-graduate training regimen consisting of two years training in pediatrics, one year in general neurology, and two years in pediatric neurology. (Unknown, unknown)

Pediatric neuropsychologists treat a range of issues in children that affect the nervous system and the brain resulting in behavioral problems, mental disorders, or injuries affecting adolescents of their cognitive skills. The job of child neurologists is to diagnose, treat, and manage many of these conditions that effect a child or children. (Unknown, 2011)

Pediatric Neuropsychologists get paid very well for what they do as a career as well despite the many years of intensive schooling it requires. “According to Payscale.com, the salary range for a pediatric neurologist in the United States is $63,871 to $179,881 a year in 2010. Add to this the potential for bonuses and incentives that range from $14,500 to $27,500 a year. This means an experienced pediatric neurologist can earn around $207,000 a year. The Physician Compensation Survey by the American Medical Group Association found that the average salary of a pediatric neurology is $219,561 a year, as of 2010.” (Unknown, 2011) Not too shabby!


 * Comparative Neuropsychology **


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Comparative neuropsychology is relatively new to the psychology field and there is not too much detailed information available about it from my research. However, I have found that it is “an approach used for understanding human brain functions, involving the direct evaluation of clinical neurological populations by employing experimental methods originally developed for use with animals.” (Berman, 2007) In other words, comparative neuropsychology studies how the human brain works in comparison to an animals brain. Comparative neuropsychologists use experimental techniques on people that it has used in the past on animals to understand the brain. This type of neuropsychology is very useful in treating brain damaged patients and compares the legions (parts) of the brain to other animals and people.

“Over many decades of animal research, methods were perfected to study the effects of well-defined brain lesions on specific behaviors, and later the tasks were modified for human use…Currently, comparative neuropsychology is used with neurological patients to link specific deficits with localized areas of the brain.” (Berman, 2007)

Since there is not too much information provided on the specific realm of comparative neuropsychology, it is most likely that an individual needs a bachelors or masters degree in Neuropsychology to get a career in comparative neuropsychology. The person would also probably need to take a variety of science and psychology classes in order to attain their degree in comparative neuropsychology in the Neuropsychology field. It is very experimentational type of career in neuropsychology, and an individual would not need as many years of intensive schooling as a pediatric neuropsychologist would. They would most likely make less money then most neurologists do also.

Clinical neuropsychologists work with patients and can specialize with children, teens, or adults. These psychologists take the research of the cognitive neuropsychologists and apply it to their patients to diagnose and treat their problems. They also administer evaluations to see the extent and prognosis of brain dysfunction in their patients. (Unknown, 2011)
 * Clinical Neuropsychology **

At the very least, clinical psychologists must have a master's degree, and most have also obtained a doctorate degree. Those who work in major metropolitan areas are paid the most money, usually (Unknown, 2011). According to the PayScale salary survey website (payscale.com), the median starting salary for clinical psychologists in 2009 ranges from about $38,000 to $62,000, with an increase to $54,000 to $78,000 with five years of experience.

Cognitive neuropsychologists work more with research and experiments than with clients. They study the functions of the brain in order to figure out how brain activity effects people with neurological disorders. They also work out the “topography” of the brain, in order to “see” the changes in brain activity. By observing patients with brain and neurological disorders, forming hypotheses and theories about ensuing brain dysfunctions, and testing their theories with technological tools and neuropsychological assessments and tests, these psychologists come up with the topography of the brain’s structures and the functioning of neural processes. (Unknown, 2011)
 * Cognitive Neuropsychology **


 * Neuropsychologist/Inpatient Rehabilitation Psychologist **

Neuropsychologist with training in rehabilitation.

"Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology (PsyD/PhD) with training and education in both neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology preferred. Bilingual not required but desired. Must be licensed or licensed eligible psychologist in the State of Florida. Must meet the guidelines specified in Division 40, APA for practice in neuropsychology, and/or Division 22, APA for practice in rehabilitation psychology." (Unknown, 2011)

Primary responsibilities include:

"The position will focus on neuropsychological evaluation and treatment of adults with acquired brain injuries and illness as part of an interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation treatment team. Populations include stroke, TBI, spinal cord injury, and other degenerative neurological conditions which may involve cognitive, mood, and/or behavioral symptoms. Primary responsibilities will include inpatient." (Unknown, 2011)


 * Neuropsychologist specializing in brain injuries **

"GDIT is seeking a Tele-health Specialist for a brain injury program that provides state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research and educational programs. The Tele-health Specialist (Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner) will develop and deliver clinical services through a virtual brain injury clinic. The Tele-health Specialist will collaborate with distant providers to ensure high levels of medical care for patients with brain injury, to include daily consultation, treatment, and follow-up care management for patients via distance technology and on-call support for providers operating in remote regions." (Unknown, 2010)

Responsibilities:

1. Uses telemedicine technologies (interactive video, internet and the web) to serve persons with brain injury located in remote and underserved areas.

2. Interfaces with local and regional referral providers to develop a robust, consistent, and efficient system of care through telemedicine technology.

3. Examines, diagnoses treats, and provides follow-up care for patients on the virtual brain injury service including outpatients referred for brain injury evaluation and in-patients who may be treated at partnering medical centers. Provides treatment for specific symptoms with emphasis on headache / pain management.

4. Participates in the remote video teleconferencing to examine patients and evaluate laboratory and clinical findings in preparation for clinical recommendations.

5. Provides comprehensive specialty medical care to patients with brain injury in distant locations in cooperation with the clinical team. This includes, but is not limited to, diagnoses, management and treatment of a full range of conditions which effect mood, memory, behavior and cognition.

6. Supports providers and by providing e-mail consultation regarding brain injury symptoms and related medical issues.

7. Employs a holistic approach to care by collaborating with physicians in other medical specialties including PM&R, Neurology, Neuropsychology, etc.

Active registration as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner.

Experience in health or rehabilitation setting as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner (at least 2 years). (Unknown, 2010)

All in all, Neuropsychology is a a very scientific-based field of psychology and requires intensive schooling and dedication. It pays extremely well and many places offer many benefits and vacations to their employees in this field of work. If you are interested in the makeup of the brain and disorders and injuries that effect it's functioning, this may be the career for you!
 * Conclusion: **



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Berman, O. Bardenhagen, F. (2007) Comparative Neuropsychology. Wikipedia. Oscar-Berman, M., & Bardenhagen, F. (1998). __ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_neuropsychology __
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Unknown. (2011) Careers in Psychology. All Psychology Careers. __ http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/career/neuropsychologist.html __

Unknown, no publish date. Child Neurology. Children Neurology society. []

Unknown. (2011) Family life. American Academy of Pediatrics. []

Unknown. (2011) How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make? Ehow.

__ http://www.ehow.com/facts_5206792_much-do-clinical-psychologists-make_.html __

Unknown. (2011) Job Application in Psychology. Orlando Health Physician Group. @http://jobsatorlandohealth.com/orlando-health-physician-group/psychologist/jobid1639409-adult-neuropsychology_rehab-jobs

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Unknown. (2011) Tele-health Specialist (Physician Assistant o General Dynamics Information Technology). The Washington Post. []

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