Pediatrician

Overview

Pediatricians are medical doctors specialising in the care of infants, children, and adolescents up to 18 years. India has the world's largest pediatric population (~440 million under 18) and a sustained shortage of pediatricians, particularly in tier-2/3 cities and rural areas. The pediatric ICU and neonatology super-specialties are in particularly high demand. AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, CMC Vellore train the most pediatricians; private demand is anchored at Apollo, Fortis, Manipal, Rainbow Children's, and Cloudnine.

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct outpatient consultations for childhood illnesses (respiratory infections, GI issues, fever, growth and developmental issues); manage emergency pediatric admissions; supervise vaccination schedules per IAP guidelines; counsel parents on nutrition, behaviour, and developmental milestones; manage NICU and PICU admissions (if neonatology/intensivist trained); coordinate with paediatric surgeons, paediatric cardiologists, child psychiatrists; participate in well-baby clinics.

Skills required

• Clinical examination of children of all ages
• Knowledge of IAP immunisation schedule
• Pediatric pharmacology (weight-based dosing)
• Neonatal resuscitation
• Growth and developmental assessment
• Parent counselling and family communication
• Knowledge of common congenital disorders
• Vaccination and preventive medicine knowledge

Education path

Career progression

1. 1
   Senior Resident (during MD)
2. 2
   Consultant Pediatrician (0-5 yrs post-MD)
3. 3
   Senior Consultant (5-12 yrs)
4. 4
   Head of Pediatrics (12-20 yrs)
5. 5
   Director / Chief Pediatrician (20+ yrs)

Top employers in India

Useful certifications

• MD / DNB Pediatrics
• Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) membership
• Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Royal College of Paediatrics MRCPCH (UK)

Adjacent careers

Courses that lead to this career