PEDIATRICIAN

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the care of young people, from birth to adolescence. They are involved in diagnosing and treating injuries, infections, and diseases for young patients, as well as counseling them through difficult times and situations, such as puberty and family problems.
• Like other doctors, a pediatrician’s first responsibility is to diagnose illnesses. Pediatricians do this by combining physical exams with the information in patients’ medical histories, and by ordering special tests, such as x-rays and blood tests. Because they deal with children and teenagers, pediatricians commonly encounter diseases and problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, allergies, acne, and drug abuse.
• Next, pediatricians recommend treatment programs. These programs can involve medication, surgery, rehabilitation, or advice about exercise and nutrition. Pediatricians may communicate with social workers, family members, and other health care professionals (such as nurses and specialists) in order to complete the diagnosis and decide upon treatment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Pediatricians work for hospitals, health clinics, and government agencies. Many are self-employed, opening their own private practice offices or becoming partners with other doctors in clinics. Some also work in colleges as professors. Administrative work can take up a large part of a pediatrician’s day. They may also get involved in teaching and research, or become active in the community to promote children’s interests. Like other doctors, pediatricians often work very long hours, especially at the beginning of their careers. Most average work day hours are between 9 and 12 hours a day, or 45 to 60 hours a week. They may also have very irregular work schedules, like on evenings and Saturdays to accommodate patients. It will be difficult to balance a career as a doctor with a family or personal time.

EARNINGS (BEGINNING WAGE THROUGH ADVANCED WAGE )

• Hourly
• Entry Wage: $66.22
• Median Wage: $90.00+
• Experienced Wage: $90.00+
• Annual
• Entry Wage: $139,820
• Median Wage: $187,200+
• Experienced Wage: $187,200+

JOB OUTLOOK

• 2022 272
• Percentage 13.8%

EDUCATION

• 4 year degree
• bachelor’s degree
• attend medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD).
• Hardest class: Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
• Classes I Have To Take In College
• Medicine
• Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
• Biology/Biological Sciences, General
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry, General

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES

SAMPLE CAREER PATH

• Level 1 Sample Title Resident in Pediatrics Earnings $45,000 to $55,000 a year Requirements • Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) • Accepted into a residency program Responsibilities Diagnosing and treating patients with minor ailments under the supervision of licensed doctors.
• Level 2 Sample Title Pediatrician Earnings $100,000 to $150,000 a year Requirements • Completion of residency • Possibly certified by the American Board of Pediatrics • Licensed by your state Responsibilities Diagnosing and treating patients; providing education and counseling to patients and their parents; performing administrative duties.
• Level 3 Sample Title Established Pediatrician Earnings $150,000 to $250,000 a year or more Requirements • Many years of experience • A solid reputation • An established group of patients Responsibilities Diagnosing and treating patients; providing education and counseling to patients and their parents; advocating children’s issues within the community; performing administrative duties; possibly undertaking research activities.

WHY IS THIS CAREER SUITABLE FOR ME

• I like children helping them feel better
• I'm interested in biology
• I like working with babies and young children
• I also like working with older children and teenage
• I like helping people with emotional or psychological problems
• I don't mind working under pressure
• I also don't mind working nights or on Saturdays
• I like providing helpful advice

ADVICE FROM INTERVIEWS

• Dr. Carrie
• “My advice to people considering a career in the medical sciences is to study hard and learn the basic sciences. Medical science stands on a huge foundation of science. It consists of anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, even physics. Dr. Paul
• “Volunteer at a hospital and perhaps work with children at a summer camp; see if it’s the right thing for you. It demands many years of hard work and sacrifice, but the personal rewards from helping children can be enormous.”

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE LIKE ABOUT THIS CAREER

• Dr. Carrie
• “I like my job as a pediatrician, first and foremost, because it is never boring. It can be stressful, it can be exhausting, it can be long hours. But my job is never boring. I also like it because I can make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes in big ways, like saving a life or preventing a significant injury. Also in many small ways, some of it I don’t even appreciate at the time. I also get respect from my patients. Many of my young patients tell me when they grow up, they want to be a doctor like me. I get respect from the parents of my patients and from the community as a whole. And I enjoy that quite a bit. I also have the opportunity for lifelong learning. All doctors are required to continue to learn. Not just stop when they finish medical school, but to take classes, read articles, and get additional credits in learning. They can do this by attending conferences or other ways. And I love this aspect of my job because I like the opportunity to learn and use my brain for my entire life.”

TWO COLLEGES THAT CAN TRAIN ME FOR THIS CAREER

• Chadron State College 4- year college bachelor's degree
• University of Nebraska Medical Center 4 - year college Doctor of Medicine degree (MD)

BACK UP CAREERS

• Physician Assistant
• Family Physician
• Nurse Practitioner