There are many benefits to choosing a career as a pediatrician. In addition to treating patients in the community, pediatricians get to work with children of all ages. The average pediatrician salary in the United States is between $150,000 and $200,000 per year. To become a trained pediatrician, specific education is necessary to have a successful, high-income job.
What Is A Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a specialized physician who can treat babies and children up to the age of 18. By being able to provide accurate assessments, pediatricians can help prevent and cure children’s health issues.Health care pertaining to children and adolescents are not restricted to physical issues. Emotional and social health can also be treated by a trained pediatrician. Since many physicians in this practice are familiar with the same patients as they age, some mental health issues may be noticed over time.
Common Pediatrician Jobs Include:
- Identifying depression
- ADHD assessment
- Conducting physical exams
- Providing vaccinations
- Diagnosing infections and injuries
- Referring a patient to a specialist if needed
How To Become A Pediatrician: Step by Step
Step 1: A bachelor’s degree must be completed to enter medical school. Typically this degree requires a major in pre-med. This can be done in a few different ways. The most common way to complete a bachelor’s degree starts with graduating high school and applying for a four-year school. If a high school degree was not completed, a student can obtain a GED before entering in a two-year college. After completion of a two year degree, the student can then transfer to a four-year school for the remainder of their bachelor’s education.
Step 2: Complete a medical school program. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, medical school is required. The last year of medical school is usually focused on specialities within the healthcare practice, like pediatrics.
Step 3: After obtaining a doctoral degree, a 3 – 8 year residency in pediatrics is required. Most pediatricians have a mandatory three year residency requirement, but if a professional wishes to specialize in a specific area of pediatrics, this can take longer to accomplish.
Pediatrician Jobs: The Many Benefits of Working in The Field
Working as a physician in the pediatrics department has many perks. Not only do professionals work with children of varying ages, but they are highly compensated and are able to use their skills to screen and solve both emotional and physical issues.
The medical field is regarded as a steady employment option for physicians of all kinds, including pediatricians. Jobs for pediatricians can be found not only in the United States, but in other countries as well.
The American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a survey on job satisfaction for pediatricians. More than 5,700 pediatricians and internal medicine physicians were included. General pediatricians reported the greatest job satisfaction when regarding community, personal time and relationships with patients.
Most pediatricians have flexibility and frequently work fewer hours than an internist. For those who want a secure career in the medical field, working as a pediatrician can be done all over the world. With the right education, this career can be a lifelong experience that helps both children and adolescents succeed.