Careers in Early Childhood

Josh Smith

The Importance of Pediatricians

Just like adults, children also have their own doctors. Surgeons that are in this specialized field, are referred to as Pediatricians. Many times children have issues, that are specific to only them, and other general, or adult surgeons, cannot deal with them nearly as well as pediatric doctors. These doctors can diagnose and treat many illnesses, ranging from simple, to even life threatening, in anyone 21 and under. In addition to diagnosing, and treating diseases, pediatricians can also administer vaccinations, give regular checkups, and make sure your child is meeting developmental milestones in growth and behavior.

To become a pediatrician, one must first become a medical doctor, by going through a minimum of four years of medical school, in addition to 5 years of practiced general surgery, and two years of pediatric residency training. Pediatricians must also be certified by the American Board of Surgery, and they must become recertified every 7 years. You can not just jump straight to a pediatrician, until you first know how to diagnose and treat adults. A lot of requirements must be met in order to become one of these doctors, but they are required for a very good reason. Medical knowledge alone is not enough, as knowing how to deal with children and their behavior is also vitally important. Many children can not always say what it is that is bothering them, or answer questions that need to be answered. They can also lack patience. Pediatricians have to know how to calm them down, and relax them, in order to get them to cooperate sometimes.

Salaries for pediatricians are high for good reason, and can vary greatly, depending on the level of specialization they go through. For a pediatrician just a few years out of residency, the average starting salary is around $135,000. Pediatricians that specialize further with at least 3 years of experience, however, can earn as much as $250,000, while pediatric surgeons can earn upwards of $500,000 annually.

Becoming a pediatrician interests me, mainly because I just enjoy being around children. Before, volunteering at the Rosa Lee Elementary School, I never realized how much I enjoyed working with children, and it has opened my eyes to the possibility of making it a future career path. They are the future of America, and keeping them healthy should be a top priority. While a lot of time, and effort must be put into this career path, it is definitely worth it all in the end.

Citations

"What Is a Pediatric Surgeon?" HealthyChildren.org. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Pediatric-Surgeon.aspx>.

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