Examine and diagnose patients using medical equipment, instruments, and tests. Prescribe and administer drugs and treatments. Provide ongoing treatment and monitoring for those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, or cardiac conditions. Immunize children to protect them from preventable, communicable diseases, such as chicken pox and hepatitis. Care for children with complex medical problems alone or in consultation with pediatric medical subspecialists or surgical specialists.
Most pediatricians work in private offices, hospitals, and clinics.
They may work alone or with other physicians and are usually aided by nurses, technicians, and clerks. They are also involved in teaching and research in academic centers and in the guidance of community health care in national, state, and local governments and agencies. Students interested in becoming a physician should take the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, and English, including advanced placement courses. To enter medical school, students must have received a Bachelor's degree, with a high grade average in a pre-medical program or other related major. Those who wish to specialize further may undertake up to three more years of training in a field such as pediatric cardiology.