Pediatricians, General

What the job really is

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1221
• 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:

• Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.
• Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
• Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns.
• Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
• Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
• Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
• Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
• Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
• Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
• Plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.
• Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
• Teach residents or medical students about pediatric topics.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Access, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Advanced Data Systems MedicsDocAssistant for Pediatrics, Air-oxygen blenders, Allscripts Professional EHR, Arterial line catheters, Auditory testing equipment, Automated external defibrillators AED, Baby scales, Blood collection syringes

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Pediatric Surgeons
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Neurologists
• Psychiatrists
• Cardiologists

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: Pediatricians, General — 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.