Learn the essential steps to become a pediatrician, from education and training to certification and career opportunities in children's healthcare.

<p>Are you interested in becoming a pediatrician? It is a rewarding and exciting role that will allow you to learn continually, make a difference in the lives of others, and spend your time caring for young patients, from newborn babies to emerging adults! Here is what to know about becoming a pediatrician, from the education you need to how much you can make.</p>

<h2>What Is a Pediatrician?</h2>

<p>A pediatrician is a <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/physicians">physician</a> who specializes in providing healthcare for infants, children, adolescents and young adults up to age 18. Pediatricians offer various healthcare services, from routine, well-child exams, preventive visits and vaccines to diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and acute conditions. Specifically trained in children&#39;s unique emotional, social, mental, developmental and physical needs, these <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-to-guide-for-becoming-a-doctor">doctors</a> are essential in advising, supporting and educating parents and families.</p>

<h2>What Does a Pediatrician Do?</h2>

<p>Pediatricians perform a range of functions in their day-to-day roles caring for children, which can include:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Conducting physical examinations</li>
	<li>Ordering diagnostic tests</li>
	<li>Diagnosing and treating illnesses</li>
	<li>Providing ongoing treatment of chronic conditions</li>
	<li>Treating injuries and acute conditions</li>
	<li>Monitoring growth and development</li>
	<li>Caring for mental health</li>
	<li>Referring patients to outside specialists</li>
	<li>Administering vaccines</li>
	<li>Prescribing medication</li>
	<li>Performing or supervising surgeries or procedures</li>
	<li>Maintaining patient health records</li>
	<li>Educating parents and families</li>
	<li>Providing moral support for children and families</li>
	<li>Supervising clinical staff</li>
	<li>Collaborating with other providers</li>
</ul>

<h2>Types of Pediatricians</h2>

<p>Pediatricians can practice primary care, or they can pursue more education and subspecialize in one of the following areas (<a href="https://www.pedsubs.org/about-cops/subspecialty-descriptions/" target="_blank">Council of Pediatric Subspecialties</a>):</p>

<h3>Academic Generalist Pediatricians</h3>

<p>Academic generalist pediatricians fill various roles within academic health centers, including research, teaching, quality improvement, and managing pediatric healthcare programs. They focus on topics from common treatments and chronic conditions to healthcare advocacy and health disparities. These pediatric subspecialists tend to work in academic settings but may also find roles in policy, public health, and healthcare management.</p>

<h3>Adolescent Medicine Pediatricians</h3>

<p>Adolescent medicine pediatricians focus on teen health issues, including mental health, reproductive health, chronic conditions, and substance abuse. Their roles may include clinical care, teaching research and policy development. Adolescent medicine pediatricians often work in children&rsquo;s hospitals, academic health centers, schools, government, military medicine, juvenile justice systems, multispecialty groups, private practices, and public health.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Allergist/Immunologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric allergy and immunology specialists can work in education, research, and clinical practice and focus on various conditions, from skin and respiratory diseases to immune system disorders. They see patients with allergies, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency disorders, asthma and adverse reactions to foods, substances, and drugs. They may work in private practice, hospitals, government, or research at medical schools.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Cardiologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric cardiologists treat children with heart conditions, including cardiovascular disease, heart defects and rhythm disturbances. They may focus on fetal cardiology, heart transplantation, imaging, intensive cardiac care, research, or medical education. Pediatric cardiologists often work in hospitals, private practice, or academic centers.</p>

<h3>Child Abuse Pediatricians</h3>

<p>Child abuse pediatricians care for children suffering from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or neglect. They often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in medical, legal and community organizations and provide testimony in court. Child abuse pediatricians can work in academic settings, clinical environments, child advocacy centers, or community hospitals.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Intensivists</h3>

<p>Also called critical care pediatricians, pediatric intensivists treat critically ill infants and children in the intensive care unit. Their patients may have traumatic injuries or cardiac failure and need treatment such as intubation or sedation. Most pediatric intensivists work in general or academic hospitals, medical or cardiac ICUs, or private practice.</p>

<h3>Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians</h3>

<p>Developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate, treat, and manage children and adolescents with behavioral and developmental issues. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and play a role in research, education, and public policy. These subspecialists are in demand in academic research, clinical settings, hospitals, community practices and more.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians</h3>

<p>Most pediatric emergency medicine physicians treat acutely ill or injured patients in emergency departments. Others focus on research, advocacy, education, and policy development. These providers have advanced medical skills in critical care, airway management, trauma, behavioral conditions, and complex metabolic disorders. PEM physicians have career opportunities in administration, research, public health, and clinical care.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Endocrinologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric endocrinologists diagnose and treat children and teens with hormonal disorders, including glandular issues, gender issues, diabetes and growth and puberty disorders. Pediatric endocrinologists have roles in clinical practice and academic research. Their work impacts patient care, advancements in medical science, and healthcare policy, affecting the endocrine health of young people.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Gastroenterologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric gastroenterologists specialize in children&rsquo;s digestive health, including chronic and acute conditions like GI bleeding, Crohn&rsquo;s disease, liver disease, liver transplants, motility disorders, nutritional issues, artificial support and more. These subspecialists collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that include surgeons, dieticians, and other providers. Pediatric GIs can work in clinics, hospitals, academic medical centers, or private practice.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric hematologist-oncologists treat children with cancer and blood disorders. They manage conditions including anemia, neutropenia, sickle cell disease, and leukemia. These subspecialists work in clinical research, teaching, and private practice and often participate in clinical trials to help find innovative treatments for children with blood diseases and cancers.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Hospitalists</h3>

<p>Pediatric hospitalists care for children in hospital settings, often in units such as the newborn nursery, pediatric care, emergency, and intensive care units. They collaborate with other healthcare providers to help ensure comprehensive, family-centered care. These subspecialists have opportunities in direct patient care, research, hospital administration, and education.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialists</h3>

<p>Pediatric infectious disease specialists diagnose, treat, and help prevent communicable diseases in children. They can focus on hospital epidemiology, infection control, care for immunocompromised patients and much more. Pediatric infectious disease specialists have career opportunities in areas including global health, research, academia, and patient care.</p>

<h3>Neonatologists</h3>

<p>Neonatologists deliver critical care for premature and full-term newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They may attend high-risk deliveries, provide long-term follow-up of high-risk newborns, care for patients with preterm labor or congenital anomalies and perform procedures like intubation and catheter placement.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Nephrologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric nephrologists treat children with kidney-related conditions, including hypertension, chronic kidney disease and patients requiring kidney transplant or dialysis. Pediatric nephrologists have roles in clinical practice, academia, research, and medical administration.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Neurologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric neurologists treat children with brain, spinal cord, muscles, and peripheral nerve disorders. They may see patients with cerebral palsy, migraines, epilepsy, developmental delays, headaches, genetic disorders, metabolic or degenerative diseases. There are opportunities for these subspecialists in areas including neonatal neurology, epilepsy, neurogenetics, pediatric neuromuscular disease, and clinical and translational research.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Pulmonologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric pulmonologists treat respiratory disorders in children, including pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, sleep-disordered breathing, and asthma. They use tools including bronchoscopy and pulmonary functionary testing to monitor, diagnose, and treat respiratory issues. Pediatric pulmonologists have numerous opportunities in private practice, academia, research institutes, government agencies and leadership.</p>

<h3>Pediatric Rheumatologists</h3>

<p>Pediatric rheumatologists treat rheumatic diseases in children, including pediatric arthritis, lupus, juvenile dermatomyositis, scleroderma, vasculitis, fibromyalgia, and psoriatic arthritis. They collaborate closely with other providers and families to help patients find relief from these conditions. Pediatric rheumatologists have opportunities in outpatient care, clinical practice, academic settings, research, and public health.</p>

<h2>Pediatrician Salary</h2>

<p>Pediatricians&rsquo; salaries vary based on location, qualifications, and specialty. <a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2023-compensation-overview-6016341" target="_blank">Medscape&rsquo;s Physician Compensation Report</a> shows the average salary for pediatricians was $251,000 in 2023. Highest-paid pediatric <a href="https://physiciansthrive.com/physician-compensation/pediatrician/" target="_blank">specialties</a> generally include cardiology, emergency medicine, critical care, and gastroenterology. The best-paid states included Mississippi, Alaska and New Hampshire (<a href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/pediatrician/salary" target="_blank">U.S. News</a>).</p>

<h2>Pediatrician Requirements and Qualifications</h2>

<p>The requirements and qualifications to practice as a pediatrician include four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school and three years of residency. Pediatricians also have to pass exams and obtain licensure in the locations they intend to practice. If they desire, pediatricians can become board certified or complete a fellowship (three additional years of training) and become specialized.</p>

<h2>9 Steps to Becoming a Pediatrician</h2>

<p>Here are the 9 steps you&rsquo;ll need to take if you want to meet the requirements and obtain the qualifications needed to become a pediatrician:</p>

<h3>1. Earn a bachelor&rsquo;s degree.</h3>

<p>To begin your journey toward becoming a pediatrician, you must first earn a bachelor&rsquo;s degree from an accredited university. You can choose your major, but many aspiring doctors decide to major in pre-med, biology, biochemistry, or anatomy.</p>

<h3>2. Pass the Medical College Admissions Test.</h3>

<p>During the sophomore and junior years of your bachelor&rsquo;s program, start preparing for the <a href="https://students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam">Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)</a>. Ideally, you will take the MCAT during the spring of your junior year if you want to attend medical school right after graduation. During this time, you will also want to start thinking about where you will want to attend medical school. Focus on schools with great pediatric programs.</p>

<h3>3. Apply to medical school.</h3>

<p>Most U.S. medical schools use the <a href="https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school-amcas/american-medical-college-application-service-amcas" target="_blank">American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)</a>, which allows you to submit just one online application to all your preferred schools. AMCAS will collect and verify your MCAT scores and deliver them to your schools along with your application. The individual schools will then make their acceptance decision.</p>

<h3>4. Earn your medical degree.</h3>

<p>Next, you will complete a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, which will take four to five years. You will have anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, physiology, pharmacology and other classes. You will also have clinical hours observing physicians and a pediatric rotation where you will learn about care specifically for children.</p>

<h3>5. Complete your pediatric residency.</h3>

<p>Next, you&rsquo;ll complete a residency in pediatrics, which will take about three years. You will get firsthand experience caring for patients under the observation of pediatricians. Eventually, you will be prepared to treat patients autonomously. This is where you can explore what type of environment you would like to practice in and whether you would like to subspecialize.</p>

<h3>6. Pass the USMLE and obtain your medical license.</h3>

<p>To get your license to practice as a pediatrician, you will need to take the <a href="https://www.usmle.org/" target="_blank">United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)</a>. This three-step exam evaluates your ability to apply concepts and principles and show patient-centered skills. After you have passed the exam, you will apply for a license to practice in your state.</p>

<h3>7. Optional: Pursue a fellowship in a pediatric subspecialty.</h3>

<p>If you want to specialize further, you can complete a two- to three-year fellowship in one of the subspecialties we covered above, such as pediatric cardiology, neurology, or endocrinology. This can open doors if you want to practice advanced medicine, go deeper into an area of focus, and increase your earnings.</p>

<h3>8. Optional: Become board-certified.</h3>

<p>Becoming board-certified shows that you meet specific standards of excellence and are committed to continuous improvement and learning. You can become certified with the <a href="https://www.abp.org/content/become-certified" target="_blank">American Board of Pediatrics</a> in general pediatrics or <a href="https://www.abp.org/content/subspecialty-certifications-and-admission-requirements" target="_blank">pediatric subspecialties</a>.</p>

<h3>9. Begin practicing as a pediatrician.</h3>

<p>Whether you have decided to begin practice as a general pediatrician or continue to complete a fellowship to become a subspecialist, now is the time to start practicing as a pediatrician! You can work at a clinic, hospital, medical office, or even open your own private practice. You can get involved in leadership, advocacy, public health, rural health, and research &ndash; the possibilities are endless. Best of all, you will interact with children daily, devoting your career to keeping them healthy, safe, and well.</p>

<h2>Common Pediatrician FAQs</h2>

<h3>How long does it take to become a pediatrician? </h3>

<p>It takes at least 11 years to become a pediatrician. This includes four years of undergraduate education to earn a bachelor&rsquo;s degree, four years of medical school, and three years of residency. If you want to become a pediatric subspecialist, for example, a neonatologist, you will need an additional three years of fellowship training for a total of 14 years.</p>

<h3>What are the benefits of becoming a pediatrician?</h3>

<p>The benefits of being a pediatrician include improving the lives of children and their families, having a diverse and intellectually stimulating career, getting to solve problems, interacting with multidisciplinary medical professionals and care teams, working in a variety of diverse settings, advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and having the emotional reward of being around kids during your work day!</p>

<h3>How much do pediatricians make?</h3>

<p>On average, pediatricians make about $251,000 (<a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2023-compensation-overview-6016341" target="_blank">Medscape 2023</a>). Pediatricians&#39; salaries depend on various factors, like whether they work in rural, urban, or suburban areas, what states or regions they practice in, and whether they are board-certified or have completed a fellowship and subspecialized.</p>

<h3>What is the highest paying pediatrician job?</h3>

<p>The highest-paying pediatrician subspecialty is neonatology, with an average salary of $346,645, according to <a href="https://www.erieri.com/salary/job/neonatologist/united-states" target="_blank">Economic Research Institute</a>.</p>

<h3>Where can I find pediatrician jobs?</h3>

<p>Pediatricians have jobs in private practice, general hospitals, children&rsquo;s hospitals, military, government health, academic institutions, clinics, medical offices, home health, telehealth, and much more. Some pediatricians work full-time, while others work part-time or on locum tenens assignments. You can find pediatrician jobs at online job boards, health system and hospital websites, academic institutions, professional organizations and medical societies, networking and word-of-mouth, medical journals, and <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/top-reasons-to-work-with-a-locums-recruiter">recruiting agencies</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Explore Pediatrician Jobs with Cross Country</strong></p>

<p>At Cross Country Locums, we have outstanding <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/all-about-locum-tenens">locum tenens</a> opportunities for pediatricians and pediatric specialists at exciting locations across the nation. <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums"><strong>Explore our pediatrician jobs now</strong></a>.</p>


How to Become a Pediatrician: A Step-by-Step Guide

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