Job Description of a Pediatrician
Pediatricians are physicians who specialize in diagnosing, preventing and treating health conditions of babies, children and teenagers. They focus on concerns more common to these age groups, including certain types of infections, chronic disorders and injuries.
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General Duties
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Pediatricians see youngsters for general check-ups, including immunizations. They also treat their clients for illnesses such as ear infections, sinus infections, sore throats, flu, mononucleosis, and many more.
Serious Illness
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These doctors are also often the first point of contact for more serious illnesses, when parents bring children in with a fever and other symptoms. The pediatrician might diagnose illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia, appendicitis, and others, deciding who needs emergency care, who needs to be admitted to a hospital, and who can get well with some medication and rest at home.
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Chronic Disorders
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Pediatricians continue to provide general pediatric health care for patients who have chronic disorders and sometimes need other specialists, such as children with type 1 diabetes or epilepsy.
Follow-up Care
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Pediatricians perform follow-up care with patients who have first been taken to an emergency room for incidents such as a fracture, concussion, puncture wound, or poisoning.
Salary
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Though not as lucrative as other types of physicians, pediatricians are still well-paid. As of 2008, the average salary of a pediatrician is $140,000, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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