Neuroimaging Fellowship

Welcome to the Houston Methodist Neuroimaging Fellowship. 

The Neuroimaging Fellowship was accredited by the United Council for Neurological Subspecialties in 2015. Our graduating fellows passed the credentialing exam on the first try and with top performance. As neurologists skilled in Neuroimaging, they have many professional opportunities. 

Neuroimaging integrates the information obtained from imaging studies with the rest of the data available from each patient. This approach is critical for the appropriate choice of imaging study.

Likewise, integration of the imaging study with the clinical outcome is critical for feedback to the fellow on image interpretation and therefore learning.

The fellowship requires 12 months dedicated to neuroimaging but there is flexibility in structuring this time. To acquire a well-rounded experience, the fellow rotates through general neurology and subspecialty services. The fellowship includes clinical and, for fellows with research interest, research components as well.

Academic Neurology

At academic departments, there is an increasing role for neurologists skilled in neuroimaging.

Some examples:

• Training other neurologists to read stroke images as soon as they are acquired and reading difficult cases using teleimaging
• Reading images from functional imaging studies performed for the study of epilepsy and other disorders
• In some academic departments, neurologists are reimbursed for reading MRI and CT studies of the brain and spinal cord
• Consulting on the imaging component of research projects
• Neurologists skilled in neuroimaging typically have another clinical subspecialty interest, which they practice, while providing imaging expertise to the department with an emphasis that differs from neuroradiology and complements it

Private Practice

Faced with the paucity of neuroradiologists in the community, private practice neurologists welcome neurologists skilled in neuroimaging.

Some examples:

• In a search of the AAN Neurology Career Center, in 2019, there were 43 jobs that required imaging compared to 30 for cognitive neurologists
• Many neurology private practice groups would like to have one or two neurologists skilled in neuroimaging to read the scans of the patients in the practice. This is often not possible yet because of the small number of neurologists certified in neuroimaging.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), through the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, recognize the UCNS certification as proof of qualification to read neuroimaging studies, including CT and MRI, and to act as a director of an MRI imaging center.

 

Candidates are required to have successfully completed an ACGME accredited residency program in child or adult neurology before the start of the fellowship. Having completed the fellowship program, graduates will be qualified to sit for the examination on neuroimaging offered by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, a credentialing organization sponsored by all the major neurological societies (American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, Association of University Professors of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society).

Eligibility & Application

Candidates are required to have successfully completed an accredited residency program in neurology. 
 
Required documentation:

• Updated CV
• (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Letter of Good Standing from your current Residency Program

Interviews are by invitation only. 

 

Drug & Tobacco Screening: Applicants will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical.  If an applicant tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program.  Applicants wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded.

If the applicant tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded.  Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.

Background Check: Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.