Pediatric Surgeon

Your Fit

Income

$451K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

1.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Pediatric Surgeon?

A Pediatric Surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in performing surgery on infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. They handle a wide range of surgical procedures, from minor outpatient operations to complex surgeries.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Pediatric Surgeon.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Pediatric Surgeon earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$190K per year	$205K per year	$451K per year	$400K per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $401K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Pediatric Surgeon do?

Work environment

Pediatric Surgeons work in children's hospitals, general hospitals with pediatric departments, and specialized surgical centers. Their environment is fast-paced and requires collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff.

Quick task list

Diagnoses pediatric surgical conditions and plans appropriate treatments.
Performs surgical procedures on pediatric patients.
Manages preoperative and postoperative care of pediatric surgical patients.
Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive patient care.
Conducts research and stays up to date on advancements in pediatric surgery.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Neonatal Surgery: Specializing in surgery on newborn infants, particularly those with congenital anomalies.
Pediatric Oncology Surgery: Focusing on the surgical treatment of cancers in children.
Pediatric Trauma Surgery: Handling emergency surgeries resulting from traumatic injuries in children.
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery: Specializing in surgical care of bone, joint, and muscle disorders in children.
Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery: Performing heart and lung surgeries in children.

Description

Pediatric Surgeons are experts in treating surgical conditions in children, whose developing bodies require specialized surgical care. They must consider the unique physiological responses and medical needs of children and young adults, ranging from newborns to teenagers. This requires not only surgical expertise but also a deep understanding of pediatric medicine and the ability to communicate effectively with young patients and their families.

The role of a Pediatric Surgeon is demanding and requires precision, patience, and a high level of emotional resilience. Surgeons in this field must be capable of making quick decisions in high-stress situations, particularly in emergency and trauma cases. They also play a crucial role in educating families about medical conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative care, ensuring that they understand and are comfortable with the treatment plan.

A career in pediatric surgery is challenging but incredibly rewarding, offering the opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the lives of children and their families. Pediatric Surgeons not only improve the health of their patients but also contribute to the advancement of surgical techniques and treatments in pediatric care.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Making a life-changing impact on the health and well-being of children.
Overcoming complex surgical challenges and contributing to advancements in pediatric healthcare.
Building relationships with patients and their families through compassionate care.

You might make a good Pediatric Surgeon if you are...

Passionate about providing medical care to children and young adults.
Skilled in hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required for surgery.
Resilient and able to manage high-pressure, emotionally demanding situations.
An excellent communicator, capable of explaining complex medical information to families.
Dedicated to lifelong learning and staying abreast of medical advancements.

Pros:

High level of personal and professional fulfillment.
Opportunity to work in a highly specialized and respected medical field.
Engaging and varied work with opportunities for research and innovation.

Cons:

Long and demanding training and education path.
High-stress environment, especially when dealing with critically ill children.
Emotional challenges involved in working with sick and injured children.

How to become a Pediatric Surgeon

Typical education

Becoming a Pediatric Surgeon typically involves completing 4 years of undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, a 5-year general surgery residency, and a 2-year pediatric surgery fellowship. This totals approximately 15 years of post-secondary education and training.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced science courses (biology, chemistry, physics) to build a strong foundation.
Mathematics for developing analytical skills.
Psychology to understand developmental stages and patient interaction.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at hospitals, especially in pediatric wards or children's clinics.
Shadowing medical professionals or participating in medical mentorship programs.
Engaging in clubs or activities that involve leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a Bachelor's degree in a pre-medical field.
Complete medical school, focusing on pediatrics and surgery during clinical rotations.
Undertake a general surgery residency, followed by a pediatric surgery fellowship.
Obtain board certification through the American Board of Surgery, with a special qualification in pediatric surgery.

More resources

American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) - Professional organization providing resources, education, and networking for pediatric surgeons.
American Board of Surgery - Offers certification and training information for surgeons.
Pediatric Surgery NaT - A comprehensive resource for pediatric surgical conditions and treatments.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery - Publishes articles and research specific to pediatric surgery.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.