Lucy Payton 
Pediatric primary health care plays a critical role in the development and health of children across the United States. It is important for monitoring the health of children, screening for diseases, and promoting wellness.
Pediatric healthcare is a specialized branch of medicine, focusing on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children. Professionals in the field work with children from infancy to adolescence.
If you’ve completed your medical degree and are considering a specialization in pediatrics, or you’re a nurse looking into family nurse practitioner online programs, this article is for you. It outlines the different pediatric positions you could pursue.
There’s currently a growing demand for pediatricians and pediatric-related subspecialty pathways in the United States. Pursuing pediatrics can be a great opportunity to boost your career and help your local community.
What is pediatrics?
Pediatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18. There are many positions that fall under the category of pediatrics, for example, pediatricians and pediatric nurses.
While the exact aim will depend on the position, a professional in a pediatric role’s goal is to ensure the healthy growth and development of children. They can have a wide range of responsibilities, including (but not limited to):
- Performing regular health and wellness checkups
- Conducting physical exams
- Tracking a child’s physical, emotional, and social development
- Providing vaccines
- Offering health advice to parents/guardians
- Diagnosing and treating health conditions
It is recommended that every child, even if they don’t have a chronic health condition, should have routine checkups with a pediatric professional. It is crucial for their overall health and disease prevention.
Pediatric healthcare professionals can work in a range of different environments, from public and private hospitals to community centers and clinics. There are also many pediatric roles that can conduct home visits.
The different pediatric positions
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics, it’s important to understand the different career paths available. Below is a list of a few pediatric positions and a description of their role.
- Pediatrician: A pediatrician is a specialist medical doctor who provides care for babies, children, and teenagers up to 18. They provide care for day-to-day illnesses, minor injuries, health advice, and disease prevention.
- Pediatric nurse: This role requires being a registered nurse with further study to specialize in pediatrics. They provide nursing care to children of all ages across a range of different health and community settings.
- Child psychologist: This type of psychologist provides support specifically for children and teenagers. They can evaluate and treat mental, emotional, social, and behavioral issues.
- Family nurse practitioner: A family nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in providing family-focused care. It has an expanded scope and can provide a level of care similar to a general practitioner, depending on the state.
- Pediatric dentist: This type of dentist provides oral health care specifically for babies, children, and teenagers. They play a critical role in ensuring the growth and development of a child’s oral health.
- Pediatric ophthalmologist: A pediatric ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in providing eye-related care to children from birth to 18 years. This includes detecting and correcting vision problems and eye diseases.
- Child speech pathologist: It’s possible for speech pathologists (sometimes known as speech therapists) to specialize in working with children. They can assess, diagnose, and treat communication-related problems and swallowing issues in children.
Which one is right for you?
Determining which pediatric position is right for you will depend on a few factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends considering:
- What kind of patients do you want to serve
- Do you prefer inpatient or outpatient care
- What are your long-term goals
- Whether you prefer rural, suburban, or urban
- Any prior study/experience
- The salary and benefits
The organization also recommends making decisions based on your living situation. For example, considering career opportunities for your spouse/partner and whether working in pediatrics may impact that, due to time constraints or location.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong decision; it’ll come down to preference. It’s also important to remember that some pediatric roles may require more study and time commitments than others.
The importance of pediatrics
Pediatric positions, such as pediatricians and pediatric nurses, play an irreplaceable role in providing ongoing care to children in all sectors of healthcare. From emergency services to behavioral therapy, pediatrics is crucial for ensuring the future of the United States.
Statistics show that currently, nearly 1 in 5 children in the United States has a special health care need. This means that more than 14 million children, and more than 1 in 4 households with children, have special health care needs.
Roles, such as pediatricians and pediatric nurses, play a critical role in caring for these children and reducing the risk of poor health outcomes. Research also shows that many preventable diseases are on the rise, which will require pediatric professionals.
For example, the World Health Organization has reported an increase in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Pediatric professionals will be needed to help promote the importance of vaccines and provide health advice to parents to prevent misinformation.
Considering a pediatric pathway in healthcare is an honorable career choice. With the United States facing multiple health crises, including the youth mental health crisis, pediatric professionals are needed more than ever in the country.
