Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: Career Center
:: Healthcare Career Profiles :: Physician Career Profiles
Neurosurgeon - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA neurosurgeon or neurology surgeon examines, diagnostically analysis and surgically treats disorders of the brain, nerves, spine and spinal cord. They operate on the brain for conditions such as relieving pain, treating head wounds and removing brain tumors or other foreign objects.
In the case of an intracranial hemorrhage, a neurosurgeon will operate to relieve pressure on the brain. A neurology surgeon operates on a patient’s spine to correct deformities, free entrapped nerves and restore spinal stability.
Many people believe that neurosurgeons are only brain surgeons but that is false. They help patients with cerebrovascular disorders such as clogged arteries in the neck, birth defects and abnormalities of the nerves, aneurysms of the brain, spine and head trauma, chronic back pain and spinal and brain tumors. Neurosurgeons also commonly treat disorders of the spine, brain and nerves such as:
- Tumors
- Carotid artery disease
- Spinal bifida
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lumbar stenosis
- Epilepsy
- Herniated disks
- Cervical spine disorders
- Head injuries
Neurosurgeons use sophisticated medical instruments to diagnose a patient’s neurological problem. A computerized axial tomography or CAT scan and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, provides extremely detailed anatomic images of the spinal structures, brain and blood vessels.
A neurosurgeon will perform a spinal tap when necessary, to obtain spinal fluid for analyzing. They have other sophisticated equipment to diagnose muscle and nerve problems and seizure disorders.
Neurosurgeons perform many diverse surgeries in hospital operating rooms aided by a team of medical professionals such as a resident doctor, nurses, technologists and anesthetist.
Many neurosurgeons spend time performing surgery, examining patients and conducting research. Their hours are extremely long with some neurosurgeons working up to eighty hours weekly. Some surgeries they perform can last 10 hours or longer. Often neurosurgeons remain on call in case of emergencies.
|
Career RequirementsTo become a neurosurgeon requires many years of education, dedication and hard work. After four or more years of medical school and another two years internship, a medical student still requires specialized residency training for another five to seven years.
They train neurosurgeons in all areas of neurosurgery, which includes tumors, cerebrovascular, trauma, spine and pediatrics. Studying the nervous system, along with the new and advanced techniques used during neurosurgical operations, makes the resident program extremely challenging and difficult.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookThe job outlook for neurosurgeons is extremely promising because it is such a specialized and necessary profession. With the new techniques and technology available today, unlike years ago, and the expanding health care industry, the need for qualified neurosurgeons continues to grow.
|
Career TrackBecause of the amount of years schooling, training and residency that a neurosurgeon requires, many choose to remain in their field indefinitely. Others choose to work as hospital or medical school administrators, take a research position with a pharmaceutical company or become directors in research. They may decide to teach in residency programs or medical schools.
|
CompensationThe average annual salary for a neurosurgeon ranges from approximately $307,660 to over $535,800. The location, employer’s size, credentials and years of experience in the neurology field can affect a neurosurgeon’s salary.
|
|