Pediatrician

Job description

Pediatricians are physicians who specialize in the care of young people, from newborns to adolescents. They are involved in diagnosing and treating injuries, infections and diseases among young patients, as well as counseling them through difficult times and situations, such as puberty and family problems. Because they deal with children and teenagers, pediatricians are likely to encounter certain diseases and problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, allergies, acne and drug abuse.

A pediatrician's responsibilities are similar to other physicians. Their first duty is to diagnose illness; he or she does this by combining physical exams and special tests (e.g. X-rays and blood tests). Next, he or she recommends treatment programs. These treatment programs can involve medication, surgery, rehabilitation or advice about exercise and nutrition. Also, a large part of a pediatrician's job is to educate parents about their children's health and to help them deal with behavioral issues that may have little to do with illness.

Education/Training Requirements

To have a career in Medical area these are the suggested subjects that are recommended to be taken in high school:-

Grade 9 Grade 10

EnglishMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesCreative artsComputersFrenchHealth & Physical Education EnglishMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesPersonal & Career DevelopmentComputers

Grade 11 Grade 12

English Mathematics ParentingBiology Chemistry Physics Social Studies Computers EnglishAlgebra & GeometryCalculusBiologyChemistryPhysicsSocial StudiesComputers

After high school it requires that applicants need to have a minimum of two to three years of university education, including the successful of several key science courses.

Steps leading to a career in Pediatrics:-

* Doctor of Medicine degree (MD), four years

* Three to four year residency period in pediatrics

* Two to four additional years of study for specialization (e.g. pediatric surgery, pediatric cardiology, neonatology)

* Successful completion of medical licensing exams: certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the Corporation professionnelle des mйdecins du Quйbec (CPMC) in Quebec

Significant skills needed for Pediatricians

Several skills are needed to function effectively as a pediatrician:- Time Management: - Managing your time is significant in the whole medical field because a doctor in general has to manage his or her time properly so they can give all of required time a patient needs. Also they need to prioritize their schedule by arranging in order of importance.

Organization skills: - Organizing is also important in this field because if you are not well organized then it is very difficult to stay on task because all of the needed things will be misplaced and will need double the time to complete a certain job.

Teamwork skills: - Teamwork is also needed because while working in an environment where a pediatrician has to work with patients, parents and other doctors, it requires that they communicate well with the people involved in the success of patient's health. For e.g. If a teenager is going through tough times in his or her life, then it is a Pediatricians duty to refer the patient to a Psychiatrist.

Stress Management skills: - Working as a pediatrician can be stressful sometimes. Stress management skills are very important because pediatricians like other doctors, work very long hours, especially at the beginning of their careers. Most average between nine and twelve hours a day, 45 to 65 hours a week. They may also have very irregular work schedules. They may have to work evenings and Saturdays to accommodate patients. Therefore, it is possible to get stressed at work. So stress management is important so that a doctor can cop up with his or her bust schedule.

Other Requirments

To be a successful pediatrician, you should like children and adolescents; have patience, compassion, and a good sense of humor; be willing to continually learn; have a desire to help others; and be able to withstand stress and make sound decisions.

Work or Community Involvement Experience

Community involvement in medical field will benefit in this career. Experience in working with children is valuable. Working as a camp counselor or a babysitter will also benefit. Volunteering in a hospital or medical clinic is helpful so one can see if working with children suits them or not. Compassion, patience and a love of children are essential. Volunteer work in any areas which involves interacting with children and adults is necessary because a pediatrician deals with children and their parents.

While working with children a person will know if they have the abilities to deal with children and if it is suitable for them. They will have a general idea about the working conditions and the environment of a hospital and the situations faced there.

Salaries/Wages

Earnings

Pediatricians usually earn between $100,000 and $150,000 a year. Generally, a pediatrician's income is affected by the number of hours he or she works and the number of patients seen. Other factors include experience, reputation and personality. Those pediatricians who are just beginning their careers tend to make less than practitioners with established practices. The average income for pediatricians is between $120,000 and $135,000 a year.

There are three levels of Pediatricians: -

LEVEL 1 Resident in Pediatrics

EARNINGS $25,000 to $50,000 a year

REQUIREMENTS * Medical degree

RESPONSIBILITIES Diagnosing and treating patients with minor ailments under the supervision of licensed doctors.

LEVEL 2 Pediatrician

EARNINGS $100,000 to $120,000+ a year

REQUIREMENTS * Three to four year residency in pediatrics * Successful completion of the medical licensing exams

RESPONSIBILITIES Diagnosing