Pediatricians are physicians that specialize in treating children from newborn infants to adolescents. They diagnose children and treat illnesses, accidental injuries or chronic medical conditions. If you think you have the best interest in children’s wellness and expect to amp up your professional development, this comprehensive guide will help you build a strong resume.
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Job duties of a pediatrician
The responsibilities of a pediatrician demand great dedication and compassion since they work with children. Some of the daily duties of a pediatrician may include:
Conducting routine medical examinations on newborn infants, toddlers and children to assess their physical development.
Interacting with children and parents to identify health complications.
Diagnosing medical conditions or illnesses such as ear infection, bronchitis, common cold and urinary tract infection by interpreting test results.
Prescribing medications and explaining their administration guidelines to the parents clearly.
Scheduling follow-up appointments based on the child’s condition.
Administering vaccines to the children right from birth as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) schedule.
Referring the patient to other specialists like oncologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists or orthopedics if advanced treatment and care are required.
Maintaining patient records by updating the treatment plan and prescription details of each visit to verify the progress.
Advising parents on diet and hygienic lifestyle changes for the child’s healthy development.
Supporting and coordinating with nurses, assistants, residents, therapists or other medical staff during the treatment of children.
Keeping up with the recent trends and advancements in pediatric medicines, immunizations and treatment methods.
Pediatrician median salary
According to PayScale, as of September 2021, the annual median salary of a pediatrician is $156,791. Compensation varies depending on the experience and expertise of the pediatrician.
Top skills for pediatricians
- Proficient assessment and diagnosis Pediatricians require excellent assessment skills based on the issues conveyed by the child or parents. They are expected to routinely examine the child’s development in terms of height, weight, reflexes and allergies and identify severe medical conditions right from birth. They should also detect psychological disorders that require immediate attention by conversing with the child and observing their behavior.
- Effective treatment and preventive care After diagnosing the child’s health condition, pediatricians must evaluate and determine atailored treatment plans for various health backgrounds. It is essential to know about the latest effective antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal medications and the appropriate dosage based on the child’s age. Since childhood obesity has been a significant concern recently in the USA, pediatricians must be skillful in providing prompt treatment and advice on diet.
- Patience and attentiveness A pediatrician must have immense patience while dealing with children of different ages. Knowing how to make newborns and toddlers feel comfortable during vaccinations and other procedures makes a good pediatrician stand out. Compassion and empathy are necessary for a pediatrician to gain the trust of both the child and parents.
- Compliance with privacy laws and federal law restringing release of medical information The pediatrician should manage patient records with regular updates on the medical condition and current treatment plan while adhering to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Everything in the medical field revolves around confidentiality, as established by this law. Physicians are required to follow HIPAA guidelines at all times and ensure their employees do so as well to avoid legal issues.
- Excellent problem-solving The pediatrician must be efficient enough to handle emergencies after receiving both the first aid and CPR certifications. They must be proficient in identifying minor symptoms that may lead to fatal medical conditions and resolve the illness promptly. In addition, they have to collaborate with specialists and surgeons to determine the child’s health issue.
- Maintenance of safety and hygiene Since several patients with various infectious diseases visit the clinic or the hospital, pediatricians must ensure safety and cleanliness. They must sanitize their hands and workplace and dispose of the used syringes and catheters. They also need to provide safety and hygiene tips to the child to prevent complications.
- Good interpersonal skills Pediatricians need to be highly sociable and child-friendly to make the children and their parents comfortable. Building positive relationships with parents will boost loyalty and make them want to come back to your office. To do so, a good pediatrician involves parents in their child’s recovery and communicates with them effectively.
Pediatricians education and certifications
Degree
The first step to becoming a pediatrician is to complete an undergraduate degree in premedical courses or relevant courses like biology or chemistry. You can find these courses in universities like Lawrence University, Tampa and Boston University.
After that, you must pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam to get admitted to the required Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. Universities like Harvard Medical School, Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University offer this program.
Once you finish your MD degree, you must complete a residency program specializing in pediatrics. Universities and medical centers such as the University of South Alabama and Boston Medical Center offer this program.
Suppose you wish to specialize in distinct pediatric areas such as cardiology, immunology and neonatal care. In that case, centers like Seattle Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Stanford Medicine offer fellowship programs.Licensure
To work as a medical practitioner, it is mandatory to obtain a license by undergoing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) exams as issued by the state specific departments. Check with your state’s board to get more information regarding requirements.Certifications
The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) offers a Board Certification to enhance your pediatric treatment and care proficiency. This requires completion of a three-year residency and a state-issued license to go through the examination. Also, the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics (AOBP) provides educational support and certification in the osteopathic treatment for children.
Several member associations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Pediatrics Society (APS), provide educational insights on the latest news in pediatrics and immunization.
Pediatrician resume-writing tips
Put your efforts into writing an efficient resume that can acquire an excellent job for you by following these tips:
- Emphasize your achievements. To gain the trust of your recruiter, ensure that you have mentioned all of your successful accomplishments, such as curing complex disorders and diagnosing on time. Don’t just list your job duties. Actions define a good pediatrician and you need to emphasize these efforts done during your residency, fellowship or previous work experience.
- Highlight training and certifications. The more training and certifications you have completed, the more it elevates your credibility. Add a separate section for the training and certifications you have completed and make sure you utilize bullet points to enlist them.
- Use the correct format and a professional design. Choose a professional format and avoid bright colors. Use standard fonts like Times New Roman and Arial to make it look presentable. Double-checking for grammatical mistakes is a must to ensure you don’t lose credibility by sending an erroneous resume.
- Write a compelling professional summary. Recruiters want to see your profile to get an idea of who you are as a pediatrician. The summary section is a 3-5 sentence paragraph that describes your work style, at least one career achievement and an outstanding skill or qualification you possess. You will have to craft a professional summary attractive enough to grab the reader’s attention.
- Showcase your knowledge. The health care field is constantly changing, which is why medical professionals need to keep up with the latest news and advancements. Mention your awareness about recent innovations in medications, immunizations and other topics to highlight your sharp learning curve.
- Focus on patient rapport. Being a pediatrician is all about creating strong relationships with parents and their children. You want to make sure parents come back to your office and gain their loyalty. If you have a track record of developing relationships with parents and children, highlight it in your resume.
FAQ
What is the career outlook for pediatricians?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physicians and surgeons, in general, is expected to inflate by 3% from 2020 to 2030, which is slower than average. Even so, about 22,700 job openings are projected over the decade, which signifies a lot of new job opportunities.
What are the essential hard skills for a pediatrician?
While soft skills are essential, hard skills should be emphasized in your resume. Since pediatricians are the primary caregivers for children, they need to know how to manage medical equipment and interpret lab results. Include any gear you’ve worked with, such as EKG machines and your proficiency in interpreting lab results, among other skills.