SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Clinical Neuropsychologists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Aviation Neuropsychologist
  • Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist
  • Clinical Neuropsychologist
  • Neuropsychology Medical Consultant
  • Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychologist
  • Pediatric Neuropsychologist
  • Staff Psychologist
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What do Clinical Neuropsychologists do?

A Clinical Neuropsychologist is a specialized professional who focuses on understanding the relationships between the brain and behavior. They are trained to assess and diagnose cognitive impairments, emotional challenges, and behavioral conditions that arise due to neurological disorders. This may include conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, epilepsy, and developmental disorders. Clinical neuropsychologists utilize a variety of standardized tests and assessment tools to evaluate cognitive functions such as memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and executive functions. They work closely with patients to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support. Often collaborating with other healthcare professionals, their expertise aids in the development of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from cognitive impairments. Their work not only involves direct patient care but also encompasses research and education to enhance understanding in the field of neuropsychology.

What the work actually is

  • Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories.
  • Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews.
  • Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.
  • 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 pediatric populations for conditions such as learning disabilities with developmental or organic bases.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Knowledge

  • Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Medicine and Dentistry Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Post-doctoral training
Doctoral degree

A normal week

  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Getting Information
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Processing Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Analytical or scientific software IBM SPSS Statistics · Noldus Information Technology The Observer XT · Statistical software
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Medical software BrainTrain Captain's Log · Patient electronic medical record EMR software · Psychological testing software · The Tova Company Test of Variables of Attention
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software Email software

Tools

  • Cognitive or dexterity or perceptual or sensory evaluation or testing products Auditory stimulation equipment · Block pattern sets · Visual stimulation test equipment
  • Photocopiers Photocopying equipment
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Therapeutic pegboards or activity boards Pegboards
  • Galvanic or faradic stimulators Skin conductance testing equipment

Who it suits

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

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Questions people ask

How much do Clinical Neuropsychologists earn in South Africa?

Clinical Neuropsychologists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Clinical Neuropsychologists do?

Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories, Write or prepare detailed clinical neuropsychological reports, using data from psychological or neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct observations, or interviews and Conduct neuropsychological evaluations such as assessments of intelligence, academic ability, attention, concentration, sensorimotor function, language, learning, and memory.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.