Paediatrician is also known as Child Specialist in common language is a medical practitioner responsible for medical care and treatment of children, infants and adolescents generally within the age limit of 12.
As the job description of a Pediatrician includes providing care from the very birth of the infants, they specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of ailments specific to the infant and track their growth to adulthood. They also treat organic diseases, and various other ailments like, tuberculosis, jaundice, typhoid, growth-related disorders like marasmus, etc.
In a country like India where thousands of infant deaths are registered every year, they can help in reducing child and infant mortality. Paediatricians are also trained to solve behaviour-related problems in children. Some tackle general health issues, while others specialize in treating diseases like heart attacks, cancer, kidney failure, etc. in children. However, most of the work of Pediatricians involves treating day-to-day illnesses that are common to children like minor injuries, infectious diseases, and immunizations. Besides Pediatricians are also apt to take care of serious medical conditions and do pediatric surgery.
To become a successful Pediatrician, the aspiring candidate has to be physically and mentally fit for working long and inflexible hours, with shifts that may be at odd timings whether practicing as independent doctors or taking up government or private hospital jobs. Besides one should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel and self-confidence to become a Pediatrician. If you think you possess all these traits then you are well suited to become an efficient and competent Pediatrician.
Eligibility to become a Pediatrician
Educational Qualification
One must have done 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 3 years MD (Pediatrics).
How to become a Pediatrician?
Aspiring candidates have to follow below-given steps to become a Pediatrician
Step 1
Science students who have appeared or are appearing in +2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects) have to appear in an Medical Entrance Tests conducted by various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT (Pre Medical Test) taken by the Central board to admit candidates in various medical institutions affiliated with it.
Separate test is conducted by some of the highly rated medical institutions like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc. These exams are generally held in the month of May-June.
Step 2
After completing this four and half years of MBBS degree course and one year and six months compulsory training one has to do MD (Pediatrics) - a specialization - must work as a Pediatrician
Aspiring MBBS doctors have to appear in Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests like:
- All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam
- BHU M.D. / M.S. Entrance Test
- Delhi University Post Graduate Medical Entrance Test
- Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.
However, some institutes also provide admission on the basis of marks obtained in MBBS course and work experience of the aspiring candidates.
Step 3
After completion of this two to three years of Master Degree in Pediatrics course and getting requisite registration from Medical Council of India, the budding Pediatrician can take different career paths open to Pediatrician like getting jobs in Government Hospitals like AIIMS, Corporate Hospitals like Fortis, Apollo. The pediatrician can also opt for their own Child care centres.
Paediatrician Job Description
Paediatrician job description includes diagnosing and treating diseases of infants mainly below the age of 12 years. They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of ailments specific to the infant and track their growth to adulthood. They also treat organic diseases, and various other ailments like, tuberculosis, jaundice, typhoid, growth-related disorders like marasmus, etc.
Paediatrician Career Prospects
The field of paediatrics has emerged as one of the prominent career options in India. The importance of competent Child Specialist in this field of Pediatrics is increasing with every passing day thereby creating lots of job opportunities for the young and talented Pediatricians. After completing their MD (Pediatrics) courses the Child Specialist can find work as Child Specialists in various government and ever increasing private hospitals. Opening their own Child Care Centre is another option with the more enterprising Pediatricians.
Paediatrician Salary
Salary of a Pediatrician largely depends upon the standard and level of the organization/Hospital he is associated with especially at the starting level. However, those at the senior level may get salary package around Rs.15 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs per annum. Salary of Pediatrician working with Government organization may be little less but they are suitable compensated with free accommodation, perks and a little bit more respect and status than their counterpart working in the private hospitals. However, there is no upper limit of income for those enterprising Pediatricians who opt for opening up their own Child Care Clinics.
