Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a medical doctor specializing in the health care of infants, children, and adolescents. Their primary responsibilities include preventing, diagnosing, and treating a variety of medical conditions, such as infections, developmental issues, and chronic diseases. Pediatricians also play a crucial role in promoting child health and safety, aiming to mitigate risks associated with infant and child mortality. The profession requires a strong commitment to lifelong learning, as advancements in medical research and treatment methods are ongoing.
Pediatricians typically work in either private practices or hospital settings, with varying work environments; private practices tend to be quieter and more controlled, while hospital roles may involve more chaotic conditions. Those interested in this career must complete extensive education and training, including a bachelor's degree, medical school, and a residency in pediatrics, which can take several years. Successful pediatricians possess good judgment, empathy, and the ability to communicate effectively with both children and their guardians. They may also choose to specialize in areas like pediatric cardiology or dermatology, focusing on specific health issues affecting young patients.
Pediatrician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Medicine, Health, Pediatrics, Science, Biology, Working with Children
Earnings (Yearly Median): This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year or $115.00 per hour.
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Internship/residency
Overview
Sphere of Work. A pediatrician is a medical doctor who prevents, diagnoses, and treats infections, diseases, behavioral and developmental problems, and injuries in children. Pediatricians also attempt to identify and avoid infant and child mortality, chronic conditions, and other dysfunctions. They strive to more fully understand how environmental and genetic factors contribute to illnesses in children. All pediatricians actively work toward defending children against a wide range of health and safety hazards. Openness to lifelong learning is a job requirement since pediatricians must be knowledgeable about constantly changing research and treatment methods, as well as common diseases and behavioral problems.
Work Environment. Pediatricians usually work in private practice and experience comfortable, clean, quiet working conditions. Those who operate out of a busy hospital or clinic often work in loud, bright, and hectic environments. Private practice pediatricians generally maintain a standard forty-hour work week, while hospital pediatricians may work long shifts, nights, weekends, or may be on call. Pediatricians must be in good physical condition, as they may work long hours or stand for most of the work day. They should have excellent vision, hearing, and good hand-eye coordination to perform exams and use instruments like stethoscopes.
Occupation Interest. People interested in pursuing a career in pediatric medicine should desire to help improve the lives of children through medical prevention and treatment, show good judgment, and be decisive, responsible, and highly motivated. They should be good listeners and be able to remain composed when interacting with anxious parents and family members or upset or unruly children. Pediatricians should be committed to seeking and finding medical solutions that will ultimately benefit the physical and mental development of infants, children, and young adults. They are well compensated for their work but must undergo years of rigorous training and be willing to work extra hours to resolve urgent medical issues.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Pediatricians who practice general pediatrics see and evaluate infants, children, and teenagers with various medical conditions and illnesses daily. Once a pediatrician thoroughly assesses and diagnoses a child’s medical situation, they will decide how to proceed with treatment. Pediatricians generally manage severe and minor health problems and acute and chronic illnesses. They conduct examinations and decide whether a referral to a specialist is needed. They also consult with colleagues such as nurse practitioners, surgeons, and family practitioners to determine appropriate courses of action for the patients they see. They offer parents and patients advice on medical challenges and preventative measures and monitor the development of children with specific conditions. They document a patient’s medical history, explain exam and lab results, and confer with patients about nutrition, diet, and how to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, they must prescribe appropriate medications and provide necessary immunizations and vaccinations. Because children are legal minors and require a guardian to make medical decisions, pediatricians must often deal extensively with parents, family members, and guardians of patients.
Some pediatricians choose to specialize in a particular area of children’s medicine, such as adolescent medicine, pediatric surgery, pediatric radiology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric dermatology, pediatric hematology, and others. These doctors assume many of the same responsibilities as general pediatricians but narrow their focus to concentrate in-depth on a specific health issue or category of problems.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Pediatricians who work in hospitals or clinics are subject to noisy, stressful, and busy environments. They must quickly react to shifting priorities, numerous patients, and emergencies. Pediatricians with their own practices usually work out of a clean, pleasant, and well-lit office.
Human Environment. Pediatricians regularly interact with children, other physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff members. They also interact with patients’ family members and legal guardians. They may employ research assistants with whom they work closely to study the prevention of diseases.
Technological Environment. Pediatricians use a wide variety of tools and equipment to assist them in examining, diagnosing, and treating young people. They use stethoscopes, otoscopes (to look into the ears), tongue depressors, blood pressure cuffs, forceps, laryngoscopes (to look down the throat), and other instruments. They must also use telephones, computers, the Internet, email, and specialized medical software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students who wish to become pediatricians can prepare by streamlining their studies to focus on the basic sciences, including organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, anatomy, psychology, and physics. They should also focus on mathematics, English, communications, nutrition, and physical education. Learning a commonly used foreign language, such as Spanish, is helpful, as some pediatricians may have bilingual patients or English language learners. High school students should join extracurricular science clubs or school groups. On their own time, students can visit or volunteer at local hospitals, clinics, and family practices to become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a pediatrician.
Postsecondary. After high school, prospective pediatricians attend a college or university that will eventually award them a bachelor’s degree in premedical studies. Candidates must then apply to a medical school. Most medical schools require applicants to have studied specific courses in medical sciences at the undergraduate level. In addition to these curriculum requirements, medical schools usually appreciate a well-rounded student (meaning they have also taken liberal arts courses). Premed students should demonstrate practical science experience, such as biomedical research and volunteer work. They must also receive a passing score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to be accepted into medical school. Medical schools are highly selective, and the application process is extremely competitive. Many students who apply to medical schools are rejected, but this is subject to the demand and anticipated demand for physicians at any given time.
Most medical programs focus on classroom and laboratory instruction in the sciences, particularly anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. After completing a four-year graduate degree program, pediatrics students must complete three to eight years of internship or residency. Pediatric specialists may also complete additional training in their chosen field.
Related Occupations
− Surgeon
Bibliography
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1221 Pediatricians, General.” Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291221.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Physicians and Surgeons.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.