Employers

Approximately 14,220 psychologists, all other, are employed in the United States, acording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 40 percent work for federal agencies, while the rest work in the offices of health practitioners, outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals. Others work in colleges, universities, and professional schools, and in scientific research and development services. Some neuropsychologists are self-employed. Clinical neuropsychologists may teach at colleges or universities, or they may work with patients in a private practice or a hospital, where they provide therapy after evaluation through special tests. 

Starting Out

Those entering the field with a master's degree will face strong competition for few jobs.  The school career services office or a psychology professor may be able to help such a student find a position assisting a neuropsychologist at a health center or other location. Neuropsychologists with a master's or doctorate degree often get their start through an internship, receiving job offers upon graduation. They also participate in professional associations for networking opportunities and job referrals. Organizations such as the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology often list job vacancies. Find information at https://theaacn.org/view-jobs.

Neuropsychologists with a master's degree advance by completing a doctorate degree. Those that work for federal agencies and clinics may advance by becoming supervisors, section or department heads, and directors, overseeing the work of neuropsychology teams and handling more patients and projects. Those that teach may advance to become full professors. Neuropsychologists that are employed full time for five or more years in health care organizations may move into private practices or start their own consulting or research firms.

Read these publications to keep up with research, news, and trends in the neuropsychology field: 

• The Clinical Neuropsychologist (https://theaacn.org/the-clinical-neuropsychologist; available to American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology members and affiliates)
• The Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/npe)
• Neuropsychology (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/neu/index)
• School Psychology Review (https://apps.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/periodicals/spr-launch-nm.aspx)

Get involved in professional associations for access to educational programs, training, networking events, and job referrals. For example, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and the American Psychological Association offer membership categories for students and professionals.

Conduct informational interviews of neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologists to learn more about the type of work they do and how they got started in their career. Find people to interview through professional associations, and also ask your school's career services office for assistance.

Find job listings and career-support resources on these Web sites: 

• https://www.apa.org/careers
• https://theaacn.org/view-jobs
• https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/clinical-neuropsychologist-jobs
• https://nanonline.org/jobbank
• https://nasponline-jobs.careerwebsite.com