A pediatric intensivist is someone who wants to work with children in hospitals who are suffering from serious illnesses. This specialty, also known as pediatric critical care, necessitates extensive training before doctors can be board certified. These doctors must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and back-to-back residencies and fellowships in pediatrics and pediatric critical care, though requirements may vary.
Many students in high school decide to pursue a career as a pediatric intensivist. The best choices students can make in high school to achieve this goal are to work hard in math and science and to maintain a high overall grade point average. Students can begin undergraduate studies with good grades and the financial means to attend a good college.
At the undergraduate level, there are a variety of majors to choose from. The pre-med major is a classic, combining extensive math and science study. Other majors, such as biochemistry, microbiology, biology, and chemistry, may also be acceptable. The most important thing is to pick a major that allows you to take all of the courses required for a good score on the medical college admissions test (MCAT). Most medical schools require a high score on this test, which is usually taken in senior year, and they also consider a student’s grade point average when determining their suitability for medical school.
Students will study for three years in medical school and complete a year of internship before becoming licensed to practice, with the exception of the UK model. Students in the UK model attend medical school and undergraduate studies at the same time. Both models require additional training for those interested in becoming pediatric intensivists. Students typically apply for pediatric residency programs after completing medical school and internship, or during their internship year. They will spend approximately three years in these programs working extensively with children.
After becoming board certified as a pediatrician, the doctor who wants to become a pediatric intensivist continues their education by completing a fellowship that lasts about three years and focuses on pediatric critical care. These fellowships concentrate on both providing that care and conducting research that will help to improve and inform future critical care practices. Pediatric intensivists’ jobs frequently include research, though they may spend the majority of their time providing direct care to patients.
It’s also crucial for a doctor who wants to work as a pediatric intensivist to think about where he or she wants to live in terms of career opportunities. Intensivists are frequently found in large tertiary hospitals or in children’s hospitals. The majority of these are in urban or large suburban areas, and doctors will want to be in these areas to take advantage of job opportunities. Many people relocate after completing fellowships in order to continue working, while others find jobs at the hospitals where they completed their fellowships.