Is there any career that relates to neurology but doesn't require all of medical school?

Question

I love neurology and reading up on the brain. While everyone was falling asleep in psych class I was the one fully alert while the teacher talked about neurons and neurotransmitters.

But I am already 24 yrs old, I finished school with a degree that I don't enjoy, and I am financially in debt. I was hoping that there was still some career path that I could take that relates to the field and doesn't require all of medical school to complete.

Can someone point me toward another career path?

Answer 1

I would consider looking into becoming an Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist. They work in the clinic with neurologist, performing the electrodiagnostic testing for neurologic conditions such as: ALS, MS, CIDP, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Spinal Radiculopathy, and many other neurologic conditions. They also monitor patients intrraoperatively, during neurosurgical procedures, for brain wave activity, and in the clinic by performing EEGs and other testing. These are also the people who would be working in sleep labs (though that would be one of those overnight jobs watching people sleep, in which I personally would not be able to keep myself interested.

I have a neuromuscular condition and have seen several of these professionals, and they are a very significant part of the health care venue.

As a note, I also have friends who manage neurology practices that started out performing as an EDT. This would let you use both degrees.

Good Luck!



American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists
www.aaet.info
American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist
www.aset.org

Answer 2

What about working in a sleep study lab. Neurologists generally oversee those things but I don't thing the lab techs are doctors. Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, etc. are all in the news a lot lately considering how sleep deprived we are in this country. Most hospitals have sleep labs and there are also independent sleep labs in most moderately sized cities.

Check it out!

Answer 3

Check out lab research and/or pharmaceutical sales.