Pediatric Surgeon Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a pediatric surgeon. Feel free to use our pediatric surgeon job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a pediatric surgeon.
Who is a Pediatric Surgeon?
Pediatric surgeons are surgeons who have completed additional training in the care and treatment of children. Pediatric surgeons typically treat children ranging in age from infancy to adolescence who require surgical intervention. Unlike general surgeons, pediatric surgeons undergo two years of specialized training after passing the medical board exam. These two additional years are devoted entirely to the care and attention required of children undergoing medical procedures.
While pediatric surgeons are abundant in urban areas, they are not always available in rural areas. Frequently, pediatric surgeons provide critical surgical care to children in remote locations. General pediatric surgeons are qualified to perform surgical procedures on children, though pediatric surgeons may be more familiar with certain procedures.
Pediatric surgeons’ primary responsibilities include diagnosing, preventing, operating on, and managing children who require surgical care. Frequently, infants born with certain complications cannot live a normal life without surgical intervention. As a result, a significant proportion of patients requiring pediatric surgery are infants.
Pediatric surgeons receive extensive training in neonatology, prenatal medicine, trauma, and pediatric oncology. Because these are frequently highly technical fields, the expertise of a pediatric surgeon is highly regarded by both parents and medical professionals. Pediatric surgeons can determine whether or not surgery is in the child’s best interest by collaborating with a team of medical professionals.
While the majority of pediatric surgeons work in children’s hospitals, these medical professionals may also work in university medical centers, general hospitals, and private medical facilities. Pediatric surgeons, like all other types of surgeons, must complete extensive training before practicing.
All pediatric surgeons must complete medical school, five years of specialty training in surgery, and two years of fellowship training in pediatric surgery. Additionally, a written surgical examination and board certification by a medical board is required. A pediatric surgeon’s medical certification must be renewed every ten years following initial certification. Almost every country requires the aforementioned level of education and certification before a pediatric surgeon can practice.
Pediatric surgery is an excellent field for prospective pediatric surgeons who are kind, compassionate, and tolerant. Frequently, children who require surgery are fearful, intimidated, and anxious in hospital settings. As a result, a pediatric surgeon should have an exceptional bedside manner, which includes the ability to reassure a fearful child.
Additionally, pediatric surgeons must be able to speak calmly and rationally with frantic parents about their child’s medical condition.
Pediatric surgeons receive much of the same training as general surgeons in other specialties, but they also receive additional training in the specialized skills necessary to treat children with complex medical conditions, such as how to conduct examinations on small bodies. Typically, pediatric surgeon works in a hospital, but they may also work in an emergency room or another clinical setting that performs surgical procedures.
Pediatric surgeons can diagnose and treat congenital conditions, as well as perform procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer removal, and colonoscopies. A significant portion of a pediatric surgeon’s job is to ensure their patient’s comfort before, during, and after surgery, which is especially critical when working with children.
Pediatric Surgeon Job Description
Below are the pediatric surgeon job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a pediatric surgeon job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a pediatric surgeon include the following:
- Examining and diagnosing pediatric patients in preparation for surgery.
- Consulting patients and family members to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Consoling young patients before surgery.
- Conducting surgical procedures to correct deformities, congenital abnormalities, and injuries, as well as to treat illnesses.
- Monitoring and educating family members about postoperative care.
- Collaborating and cooperating with all specialists involved in the medical care of a child to determine when or if surgery is an appropriate treatment option.
- Conducting surgical procedures on newborns who have birth defects or other conditions that require immediate surgical intervention
- Conducting intricate surgical procedures on children who have congenital heart defects, spinal cord injuries, and other conditions
- Consulting parents regarding the condition and treatment plan for their child
- Researching methods to develop new surgical techniques or to improve existing ones
Qualifications
- Education
Pediatric surgeons who wish to pursue a career in surgery should plan their undergraduate studies with their medical school applications in mind.
- Consider enrolling in a college with a strong pre-med program.
All medical schools require applicants to have completed a specific number of science courses, so undergraduates should plan their studies accordingly.
- Take the Admissions Test for Medical College (MCAT)
- Develop relationships with individuals who can write compelling letters of recommendation
- Participate in extracurricular and volunteer activities that demonstrate their empathy, interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Medical College
Pediatric surgeons who wish to pursue further education must first earn a medical degree: either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Pediatric medical schools are four-year programs. Generally, the first two years will be devoted to coursework. Students will receive a comprehensive medical education that includes courses on the human body, psychology, medical practice, patient care, medical ethics, and broader societal issues affecting medical practice. The last two years will be spent primarily on clinical rotations. Additionally, medical students will learn how to care for patients and work collaboratively with other health care professionals. During their fourth year of medical school, students may choose to concentrate on pediatric surgery.
Qualifications for Residency
- Five-year residency in general surgery
Surgery in general residents will begin by learning fundamental operative skills and will progress to more advanced skills as their residency progresses. Certain programs will have simulation centers where residents can practice a variety of surgical techniques. Residents will gain experience performing surgical procedures in a variety of surgical settings, including endocrine, oncological, transplant, acute care, and trauma. Additionally, residents will attend classes, conferences, and complete assignments.
- Attend the pediatric surgery fellowship program
Surgeons in children’s residents will be responsible for patients’ pre-and post-operative care. Residents will be given increasing responsibilities as their residency progresses. Residents will rotate through various pediatric surgery subspecialties, including neonatology, pediatric urology, and otolaryngology. Additionally, residents will attend weekly and monthly meetings and may be encouraged or required to conduct research.
Licensure
Candidates must pass one of the following standardized national license exams to practice medicine in the United States:
- The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
- Candidates for the D.O. degree: Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA)
Both of these exams consist of three sections. The first two sections of both exams will be administered during medical school. The final portion of the examination will be conducted during the candidate’s residency.
Board of Directors Certification
The next step toward becoming a pediatric surgeon is obtaining the certification from the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and pediatric surgery. The first step is to earn board certification in general surgery, as this is required to sit for the board certification exam in pediatric surgery. Candidates for the general surgery certification must pass several exams, exhibit ethical behavior, and work in the field of surgery. The pediatric surgery certification process consists of two exams: a qualifying exam that can be taken anywhere in the country and a certifying exam that is administered annually in Philadelphia.
Essential Skills
- Problem-solving skills
This can assist pediatric surgeons in adapting if something unexpected occurs during a procedure. Additionally, they may be required to use these abilities to develop effective treatment plans that address patients’ needs.
- Calmness under pressure
It is critical for pediatric surgeons to perform well under pressure, as their ability to remain calm in stressful situations enables them to make immediate decisions that may have a permanent impact on a patient’s life.
- Stamina
Because some surgeries are lengthy, pediatric surgeons must remain focused and attentive throughout the procedure.
- Attention to details
Being attentive to detail can assist pediatric surgeons in identifying pertinent patient details that may affect their treatment plans. Additionally, it assists them in identifying potential concerns before, during, and following patient procedures.
- Cognitive Capacity
Pediatric surgeons must enjoy learning because staying current on new medical knowledge is a lifelong commitment and one of the most critical characteristics of a pediatric surgeon. Acquiring the necessary surgical education requires certain levels of mental acuity, most notably memorization and recall. Recalling information about the body, its illnesses, and potential treatments is critical for diagnostics and treatment planning.
- Problem Solving Skills
Problem-solving ability is also one of the skills required of a pediatric surgeon to treat patients successfully. A pediatric surgeon’s attention to detail and conscientiousness enable him or her to keep track of all the various components of a patient’s care.
- Leadership and Communication
Certain social skills, such as effective communication and team management, are required of pediatric surgeons. Pediatric surgeons must be able to communicate effectively with support staff, particularly during procedures, as well as with patients and family members. Additionally, pediatric surgeons must be able to work collaboratively with other physicians and pediatric surgeons, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Emotional and Psychological skills
Pediatric surgeons must thrive on change and unpredictability, as no two days will be identical. Empathy enables the physician to communicate with and assess the health of patients. Since patients may not be at their best, patience must occasionally be combined with professionalism.
- Mechanical Capabilities
Superior hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are required skills for pediatric surgeons. Precision can mean the difference between life and death. Pediatric surgeons frequently make minute movements while wearing protective equipment. They may be required to make extremely precise movements while magnified or while viewing a specialized computer monitor.
How to Become a Pediatric Surgeon
The following are some steps to take to begin your career as a pediatric surgeon:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree
Complete a bachelor’s degree program in a science department at a college or university. While pediatric surgeons are not required to major in a particular field of study, many aspiring pediatric surgeons enroll in pre-med programs or pursue degrees in fields such as biology or biomedical science. You may, however, major in a closely related field such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, or social sciences. Students enrolled in a pre-med bachelor’s degree program typically study subjects such as physical sciences, ethics, biology, and chemistry, which prepare them for work in the medical field.
- Enroll in medical school
Admission to medical school and completion of a doctoral degree are available. Candidates for the medical school must prepare for and pass the MCAT exam, which determines whether students are qualified to enter a medical school program. While preparing for the MCAT exam, you can research medical schools that offer programs of interest. Aspiring pediatric surgeons must ensure that any medical schools to which they apply offer pediatrics courses to ensure they receive the training necessary to specialize in pediatric surgery in the future.
Students who complete medical school earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or, in some cases, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
- Completion of general and pediatric surgery residencies
Locate and complete residency programs in general surgery and pediatric surgery. Aspiring pediatric surgeons begin their training with a general surgery residency, where they can observe and develop their skills in a variety of rotations, including vascular surgery, transplantation, and pediatric surgery. These programs typically last five years and educate students on fundamental surgical procedures and protocols.
After completing a residency in general surgery, candidates may pursue a fellowship in pediatric surgery. This can provide students with more in-depth experience in pediatric surgery and an understanding of the procedures and operations associated with pediatric surgery. Pediatric surgery residencies typically last approximately two years.
- Begin the process of certification and licensure.
Apply for certification and licensing as a pediatric surgeon. Typically, pediatric surgeons with a Doctor of Medicine degree obtain licensure through the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Individuals who earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree can sit for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination and earn licensure. Many pediatric surgeons pursue certification as well, even though it is optional for pediatric surgeons, as it can strengthen their credentials and increase their chances of finding work. Pediatric surgeons may become certified by passing the Pediatric Surgery Qualifying and Certifying Exam.
- Submit applications for pediatric surgeon positions.
Look for pediatric surgeon job openings and apply to any that match your career objectives. A good place to begin your job search is to contact the facilities where you completed your residencies and inquire about potential employment opportunities, as you are likely already familiar with their operations and staff. Additionally, you can connect with other medical professionals to discuss pediatric surgeon job openings that they may be aware of. Another way to locate pediatric surgeon employment opportunities is to visit a job website or conduct an internet search for job listings.
Where to Work as a Pediatric Surgeon
Pediatric surgeons work in a variety of healthcare settings, including children’s hospitals, academic medical centers, and large community hospitals.
Pediatric Surgeon Salary Scale
In the United States, the current national average salary for pediatric surgeons is $283,724 per year, which is a very competitive salary.
