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As a fresh graduate in the pediatric field, it’s not likely that you have enough experience to start your practice, and you’ll also not earn more than the average salary for the profession. You might be lucky to land a job with an established organization where you’ll experience some relief, but that won’t guarantee career satisfaction. It will get to a point where you’ll want to know and do more, and this is where your career advancement as a pediatrician begins. These guidelines will help you climb your career ladder in this field of expertise. Pediatric medicine is broad, with at least 19 subspecialties where pediatricians can specialize. These subspecialties give you an advancement opportunity as a pediatrician. Some specialties include, pediatric cardiology, pediatric eccrinology, pediatric nephrology and oncology, and pediatric sports medicine. Here are six areas of specialization that will enable you to climb your career ladder in the pediatric medicine industry.
Pediatric Surgeon
The roles of pediatric surgeons mainly include: creating treatment plans during the prenatal stages, diagnosing issues through tests or the ultrasound, or planning for surgery after birth. Having specialized in surgery, these pediatricians can also rectify some birth defects and treat trauma issues like treating injuries resulting from the playground. Upon finishing residency, pediatric surgeons take two more years of specialized training.
Pediatric Endocrinologist
Pediatric endocrinologists specialize in caring for kids with endocrine disorders like adrenal conditions, diabetes, and thyroid conditions. These conditions interfere with the mood, growth, and development of a child. Pediatric endocrinologists offer treatment and education to caregivers and patients regarding the challenges of the health issue. To attain the title of a pediatric endocrinologist, one has to acquire specialty certification offered by the pediatrics board review and finish a three-year fellowship after medical residency.
Chief Medical Officer
The chief medical officer’s role is a managerial position where the CMOS monitors a team of physicians who tend to patients in a hospital. It is the role of CMOs to analyze data to note patient care areas that need improvement hence overseeing quality assurance. The officers are also responsible for safety and privacy regulations as well as proper storage of these details. A pediatrician must have enough experience as a physician and hospital leadership skills to get to this position. This role also calls for constant consultation with the physicians and administrators.
Medical Research
Some pediatricians do not only advance in their careers but also in the knowledge base of pediatric medicine, which is research. It could mean becoming part of the team of a university faculty from where they can pursue their research interests. Other pediatricians can work in drug research and development facilities or with pharmaceuticals.
Pediatric Cardiologist
Pediatric cardiologists undergo intensive training that qualifies them to work with kids who have heart complications. They majorly diagnose and treat kids experiencing heart palpitations, chest pain, heart murmurs, and other heart issues. Given the current and ongoing tech advancements, pediatric cardiologists can treat heart complications detected when the patient is still a fetus.
Pediatric Nephrologist
This area of pediatric medical care focuses on the treatment of kids with kidney or urologic disorders. Some of the treatment options in this category include dialysis or kidney transplants. For pediatricians to gain this title, they must finish pediatric nephrology fellowship for three years then seek the ABP certification. But what if you want to experience more fulfillment as a medical practitioner? In that case, you may focus on specializing in a field that focuses on treatment and prevention for medical conditions like diabetes and cancer. You’ll need to graduate in your chosen subspecialty and acquire certification from the board review to get to this level. You will require a lot of time and effort, but you’ll also enjoy decent remuneration once you specialize.
Conclusion
When you get content in your comfort zone, it will be hard to think about advancing as a pediatrician, and every time you try to progress, fear of the unknown will hold you back. The good thing is, there isn’t anything to fear. You only need to decide and push forward to accomplish your goals as an advanced pediatric professional. Try to follow these guidelines, and soon you will achieve your goals in this industry.
