Pediatric Surgeons
Overview
Pediatric surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in performing operations on babies, children, and teenagers to fix birth defects, treat injuries, and cure diseases. They use advanced surgical tools and techniques to help young patients, working closely with teams of nurses, specialists, and other doctors to provide the best care possible. These surgeons also spend time talking with families to explain procedures and conducting research to develop better surgical methods. To become a pediatric surgeon, you need to complete medical school, a general surgery residency, and additional specialized training in pediatric surgery.
Did you know?
Becoming a pediatric surgeon requires 11+ years of post-undergraduate training including medical school, general surgery residency, and fellowship, often resulting in substantial student loan debt exceeding $200,000.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$89,450 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Key Responsibilities
- Perform transplantation operations, such as organ transplants, on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.
- Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
- Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
- Monitor patient's recovery, making follow-up visits and using postoperative assessment techniques, such as blood and imaging tests.
- Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
- Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
- Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
- Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
- Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
- Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
- Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
- Interpret results of preoperative tests and physical examinations.
- Operate on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients' functions.
- Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
- Prepare case histories.
- Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
- Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
Career Considerations
Extensive Training and Financial Investment
Becoming a pediatric surgeon requires 11+ years of post-undergraduate training including medical school, general surgery residency, and fellowship, often resulting in substantial student loan debt exceeding $200,000.
High Emotional and Psychological Demands
The profession requires exceptional emotional resilience to handle life-threatening cases involving children and provide compassionate communication with distressed families during critical situations.
Competitive Specialization and Limited Positions
Pediatric surgery fellowships are among the most competitive in medicine with very few positions available annually, requiring exceptional academic performance and research experience for acceptance.