1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Paediatrician

Paediatrician

Paediatricians diagnose and treat health conditions that affect babies, children and young people.

Average salary (a year)

£27,689 Starter

to

£74,661 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 48 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become a paediatrician

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You'll need to complete:

  • a 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
  • a 2-year foundation course of general training
  • 4 to 7 years of specialist training, depending on your chosen area of medicine

If you already have a degree in a science subject (minimum upper second), you could take a 4-year graduate entry programme into medicine.

You may be able to join a 6-year degree course in medicine if you have no science qualifications. This includes a one-year pre-medical or foundation year.

You could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), when you apply for a course. They test the skills you'll need on the course like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

Medical schools will also expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has information on finding a placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

More information

More information

Registration

Career tips

Check if your university has a paediatric society and get involved. The societies are a good way to hear about paediatric events, talks and training in your medical school.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the British Medical Association for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in paediatrics from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Health Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • assessing children who are ill, injured or have disabilities
  • referring patients to specialist consultants for tests
  • prescribing medication, surgery or therapies
  • explaining diagnosis and treatment plans to parents and children
  • writing patient notes and producing medical reports for professionals
  • monitoring patient progress and responses to treatments
  • supervising and training junior medical staff

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or in the community.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

You can apply for senior consultant roles, once you're on the General Medical Council Specialist Register.

You may go on to lead a team, manage a department or become medical director for an NHS Trust.

You could also move into teaching and training students, trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a paediatrician right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

L3 Access to Higher Education Diploma - Science

  • Provider: TELFORD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2020

Access to HE Science

  • Provider: BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location: Poole
Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No