Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories.
• Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status.
• Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.
• Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
• Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.
• Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.
• Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders, such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke.
• Develop treatment plans based on diagnoses and on evaluation of factors, such as age and general health, or procedural risks and costs.
• Inform patients or families of neurological diagnoses and prognoses, or benefits, risks and costs of various treatment plans.
• Prepare, maintain, or review records that include patients' histories, neurological examination findings, treatment plans, or outcomes.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Neurologists are doctors who diagnose and treat problems with the brain and nervous system. They don't do surgery. Your doctor might recommend that you see one if they think you have an illness that needs expert care.

A neurologist has at least a college degree and 4 years of medical school plus a 1 year internship and 3 years of special training in neurology. Many also spend extra time learning about a specific field, like movement disorders or pain management.

Those wishing to pursue clinical work must also have completed Degree in Medicine. In addition to neuroscience, graduates may choose advanced degree fields in such areas as neurobiology or pharmacology.

Permanent research positions in neuroscience commonly require postdoctoral fellowships to gain laboratory experience. 

FET PLC Courses: Applied Laboratory Science, Applied Science - Forensics, Applied Science/Laboratory Techniques, Applied Science - Pharmacy Studies, Forensics - Applied Science, Biotechnology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry:Science - Biological & Chemical Sciences, Science - Common Entry, Sciences - Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Psychology Human Health & Disease, Medicine at NFQ Level 8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate & Doctoral Study Options Nursing - Neuroscience Nursing, Neuroscience, Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience, Biotechnology, Medicine & Health - Research, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy - Neurology & Gerontology at NFQ levels 9-10.  

Professional Development & Associations 

SFI Science foundation Ireland

IACS Irish Association of Clinical Scientists

IICN Irish Inst Of Clinical Neuroscience 

Irish Research Council 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €76k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth for medical practitioners was slightly above average over the five-year period, with strong growth between 2021 and 2022. Almost 30% of those employed in this occupation were non-Irish citizens, with employment permits still acting as a source of supply of skills; over 2,100 new permits were issued in 2022 across a range of specialities. Supply from the third level education system is set to expand by 200 additional places by 2026 (beginning with an increase of 60 places each in 2022 and 2023). Given the duration of medical training, however, this increased supply is not expected to have an impact on the labour market in the short-to-medium term.

Issues in relation to GPs are being addressed with an announcement that the number of GP training places will be increased to 350 in 2024 from 258 in 2022 and an expansion of the non-EU GP Training Scheme from 50 to 250 by the end of 2024.43 However, the increasing demand for medical practitioners as a result of factors such as the rollout of the Sláintecare Action Plan, the ageing population and the tackling of the lengthy waiting lists (exacerbated as a result of COVID-19) will result in continued shortages for this occupation.

• Health and Safety Executive

  • 1G Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS, UK
  • +44 (0)845 345 0055
  • [email protected]
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• Irish Medical Council

  • Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin, 2
  • (01) 498 3100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• IICMP Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiology

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here