| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Clinical and Medical |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Head of Department (Clinical) |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 8 years after DM in hospital neurology practice |
Neurologist job description template
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Job title: Neurologist
Department: Clinical and Medical
Reports to: Head of Department (Clinical)
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Neurologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles: stroke, epilepsy, headache, Parkinson's disease, dementia, neuropathy, myasthenia and multiple sclerosis. They see patients in OPD, lead the hospital's stroke response for clot-dissolving treatment, manage neuro ICU patients with the intensivist and interpret EEG and nerve conduction studies. A good neurologist makes a careful clinical diagnosis, acts within minutes for stroke and plans long-term treatment that families can follow.
Key responsibilities
- See OPD patients with headache, seizures, weakness, numbness, tremor, memory loss and giddiness, and reach a diagnosis through careful examination.
- Lead the stroke code, assessing eligible patients within minutes of arrival, reviewing CT or MRI and giving clot-dissolving treatment when indicated.
- Arrange mechanical clot removal with interventional radiology for large vessel strokes within the treatment window.
- Manage epilepsy with the right drugs, adjust doses for control and side effects, and counsel on driving, pregnancy and work safety.
- Treat Parkinson's disease, dementia, neuropathy, myasthenia and multiple sclerosis with long-term plans and regular reviews.
- Interpret EEG, nerve conduction studies and EMG, and supervise the neurophysiology technicians.
- Manage neuro ICU patients with status epilepticus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, encephalitis or severe stroke alongside the intensivist.
- Give neurology opinions to other departments on altered sensorium, post-operative confusion and new weakness.
- Refer patients to neurosurgery for tumours, bleeds and spinal cord compression, sharing the neurological findings.
- Plan stroke rehabilitation with physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy, and follow patients for secondary prevention.
Requirements
- DM or DrNB in Neurology after MD in General Medicine or Paediatrics
- Valid registration with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council
- Fellowship in stroke, epilepsy or movement disorders is an advantage
- 2 to 8 years after DM in hospital neurology practice
KRAs and KPIs for a Neurologist
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Stroke response | Door-to-needle time within 60 minutes for at least 80 percent of thrombolysed stroke patients |
| Secondary prevention | 100 percent of stroke patients discharged on preventive medicines with a follow-up date |
| Neurophysiology turnaround | EEG and nerve conduction reports issued within 24 hours of the test |
| Inpatient opinions | Opinions given within 4 hours for urgent and 12 hours for routine requests |
| Epilepsy follow-up | At least 75 percent of epilepsy patients reviewed on schedule |
| Patient feedback | OPD feedback score at or above 4.5 out of 5 |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: EEG machine, EMG and nerve conduction system, CT and MRI viewing workstation, Stroke thrombolysis kit, Tendon hammer and ophthalmoscope, Electronic medical records.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Department (Clinical), Clinical Director
Interview questions for a Neurologist
- A 60-year-old arrives 2 hours after sudden weakness with a normal CT. What do you do in the next 30 minutes?
- How do you counsel a young woman with epilepsy who is planning a pregnancy?
- A patient still has seizures on two drugs. What is your next step?
- How do you tell early Parkinson's disease from a drug-induced tremor?
- When would you ask neurosurgery to see a stroke patient?
- How do you explain a dementia diagnosis to a family that runs a business with the patient?
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Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a neurologist do?
A neurologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles, such as stroke, epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson's disease, dementia and neuropathy. They examine patients, order and read EEG, nerve tests and brain scans, prescribe long-term treatment and lead emergency stroke care in hospitals.
What is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon?
A neurologist treats nervous system diseases with medicines and non-surgical care. A neurosurgeon operates on the brain, spine and nerves, for example removing tumours, draining bleeds or relieving spinal compression. Many patients see both, with the neurologist diagnosing and the neurosurgeon operating when surgery is needed.
What qualification is needed to become a neurologist in India?
A neurologist completes MBBS, then an MD in General Medicine or Paediatrics, and then a three-year DM or DrNB in Neurology. Some go on to fellowships in stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders or neurophysiology before joining large hospitals as specialists.