Written by: Diya Shah
Edited by: Angela and Aleeza
A Day In The Life Of A Pediatrician
Pediatricians generally work an average of about 40-50 hours a week. Just like any other doctor, pediatricians have a multitude of tasks to complete on a daily basis. Most children go to a pediatrician at least once a year to get a physical done, which consists of a pediatrician monitoring a child's growth and development from the last time the child was seen. Pediatricians ask patients about their physical health along with their mental health to make sure they are healthy and safe. When children come in feeling sick, pediatricians need to examine patients, order tests, and interpret tests to diagnose children with illnesses, growth and development concerns, acute and chronic health problems, or in some cases could be nothing at all. If a child is diagnosed, the doctor must then prescribe a treatment whether it is medication, therapy, or a vaccination. After each visit, the doctor must record all the patient’s information and keep it filed for future use. Information such as test results, diagnoses, examination, and medical history are all kept .
Pediatrician Salary
The average annual pay for pediatricians in the United States in 2019 was $175,310. The 25 lowest percentile of the population made around $127,610 and the 25 highest percent made about $208,00. In Canada, the average pay in 2021 is $284,000. The lowest percentile makes about $136,000 and the highest makes around $446,000. Factors that affect your pay are where you live, experience, education, any certifications, or additional experience in various specialties. Some specialties include cardiology, critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, neonatal medicine, oncology, and many others.
Educational Steps To Becoming a Pediatrician
Starting from Undergraduate school, it takes about 11 years to become a Pediatrician. First, you have to complete your Bachelor’s degree which usually takes 4 years, although some people take more classes or go in with more credits and graduate in 3 years. Following, some people chose to take the MCAT to help them when applying to medical school. You go to medical school for about 4 years where you receive your Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O). Those first two years have more coursework while the last two are primarily focused on working and gaining clinical experience. Lastly, you have to do 3 years of residency before you become a certified pediatrician. During the last one or two years of residency, residents begin to see if they like a subspecialty and focus on it. While in medical school and residency, candidates begin study and taking the standardized national license to be able to practice medicine. After a bachelor's degree, medical degree, completion of a residency, and becoming licensed, it is recommended to take the American Board of Pediatrics exam and become certified. Whether a person stops after getting their license or goes through with certification, he or she is ready to begin practicing alone.
Bibliography
“A Day In The Life of Pediatricians.” OwlGuru.com - Find A Career That You Love, 8 Dec. 2015, www.owlguru.com/day-in-life-of-pediatricians-general/.
Smith, Yolanda. “Pediatrician: Role, Education, Training, Subspecialties.” News, 27 Feb. 2019, www.news-medical.net/health/Pediatrician-Role-Education-Training-Subspecialties.aspx#:~:text=Education%20and%20Training,accredited%20residency%20program%20for%20pediatricians.
“How Much Can a Pediatrician Expect to Get Paid?” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/pediatrician/salary.
“Pediatrician Average Salary in Canada 2021.” The Complete Guide, www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=38&loctype=1&job=917&jobtype=3.
Learn.org -, learn.org/articles/What_Education_Is_Required_to_Be_a_Pediatrician.html.
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