Career & application guide

Pediatricians, General

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do pediatricians, general do?

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children. May refer patients to specialists for further diagnosis or treatment, as needed.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Developmental Pediatrician
  • Emergency Room Pediatrician (ER Pediatrician)
  • General Pediatrician
  • Group Practice Pediatrician
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician
  • Pediatric Physician
  • Physician

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.
  • Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development.
  • Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns.
  • Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
  • Advise patients, parents or guardians, and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
  • Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients and parents or guardians.
  • Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
  • Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
  • Plan and execute medical care programs to aid in the mental and physical growth and development of children and adolescents.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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