Pediatric Surgeons

What the job really is

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents. Includes all pediatric surgical specialties and subspecialties.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1243
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
• Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
• Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
• 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.
• Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
• Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
• Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
• Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
• Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
• Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
• Interpret results of preoperative tests and physical examinations.
• Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Windows, Abdominal retractors, Amputation retractors, Anastomosis clamps, Andrews tables, Argon beam coagulators, Arterial line catheters, Artery forceps, Autologous blood recovery systems, Automated external defibrillators AED

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
• Urologists
• Anesthesiologists
• Dermatologists
• Cardiologists
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• General Internal Medicine Physicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Pediatric Surgeons — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.