Pediatrician Education and Training Requirements

Pediatrics is an exciting field and a pediatrician's job is considered as one of the most respectable and rewarding jobs amongst all medical jobs. Babies and small children are treated by pediatricians. If you want to become a pediatrician, you should start preparing right from your high school level. You need to develop good study habits because as a pediatrician, you will always be learning. Before taking a look at the pediatrician requirements, I would like to tell you that though becoming a pediatrician is an exciting career opportunity, do not join this profession with the sole objective of earning money as you may not succeed then. Pediatrics is an esteemed branch of medical science and you need to have love, devotion and compassion for ill children if you want to become a successful pediatrician. Here is the required information on pediatrician education.

How to Become a Pediatrician

After passing out from high school, you need to complete four years of undergraduate courses at a college or university and get a BS, BA, or some other Bachelor's degree. Then, if you want to become a doctor, you need to attend 4 years of Medical School and get a MD or DO degree. To get admission in a good medical school, you need to have excellent grades, and you should be able to demonstrate that you are a responsible, well-rounded person. You will need recommendation letters from your teachers. You will have to appear for the Medical School Admissions Test. During the 4 years in the medical school, you are expected to pass USMLE Step 1 and step 2. After this, you can work as a 'general' doctor. During fourth year, you need to apply to residency programs. You also need to choose a specialty in medicine, such as pediatrics. When you will complete at least three successful years of residency training, you will be declared 'eligible' to become 'certified' in pediatrics by passing a rigorous test that deals with medical conditions related to infants and children. This way, you will be a general pediatrician, but if you want, you may specialize in another branch in pediatrics (sub-specialty). You may choose from child development, dermatology, gastroenterology, genetics or inherited diseases, neonatal medicine, cancer, developmental disabilities, neurology, ophthalmology, nephrology, pharmacology, preventive medicine, radiology, immunology, behavioral pediatrics, and the like.

Personal Characteristics

You should get involved in high school charity organizations and you should participate in extracurricular programs like student government, music programs, and sports. In the college, you need to fulfill the basic science course requirements regarding physics, chemistry, biology and maths, that most medical schools recommend. Volunteering in college activities, working in local hospitals, working for homeless people or for people in old age homes increase your chances of getting admitted in medical school. During third and fourth year in medical college, you will get "hands-on" experience with patients. Three years of residency will be the most difficult three years of your life. You will have to deal not only with severely ill children but also with anxious parents. You will become more and more responsible once you start dealing with patients and parents professionally and compassionately. You will be expected to work for about 80-100 hours per week. Along with physical challenges, there will be emotional challenges also. In spite of having commitment and excellent knowledge, you will come across children who won't survive their illness. Your heart will be torn when you will observe the unconditional love and devotion of parents. Your heart will be tugged when you will observe the courage that children show when faced with needles, surgery, and spinal taps. Pediatrician requirements also include a list of personal characteristics like having lot of patience, confidence and also respect for the miracle of life and the power of love.

You must have come across some pediatrician job descriptions. A pediatrician's job is one of the highest paying jobs which can also give job satisfaction. You can work as an independent doctor or take up government or private hospital jobs. Pediatrician education and training will not be a big issue if you are ready to work long and irregular hours and accept the challenges. If you have strong, compassionate mind, and a commitment to your goals and interests, then you will definitely enjoy the wonderful and challenging world of pediatric science.