How to Become A Pediatrician In South Africa

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who treats children. They provide: Preventive health maintenance and ongoing monitoring for healthy children. Medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill.

What does a pediatrician doctor do?

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who manages the physical, behavioral, and mental care for children from birth until age 18. A pediatrician is trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.

Do pediatricians do surgery?

Pediatric surgeons, in collaboration with pediatricians and other physicians, have devoted their studies and expertise to performing surgery, while pediatricians tend to treat children in offices for wellness visits and in case of emergencies or sickness.

Do pediatricians pierce ears?

While there are risks for ear piercing in kids, they can be minimized by having your pediatrician do it instead of having it done at a retail jewelry store. Many pediatricians offer pediatric ear piercing as a regular service.

CAREER REQUIREMENT

Degree RequiredMedical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Training RequiredResidency in pediatrics
Key ResponsibilitiesExamine, diagnose and treat children who may be ill or who have injuries, diseases or congenital conditions; maintain patient medical records; administer medications and vaccinations; make medical referrals
Licensing or CertificationAll states require doctors to be licensed; board certification in pediatrics is available
Job Growth (2018-2028)7%*
Median Salary (2018)R 2487996.25*

Below are steps to Become A Pediatrician In South Africa

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

To be admitted to medical school, you must complete premedical courses as an undergraduate. These courses include inorganic and organic chemistry, biology and physics.

Since admission to medical school is highly competitive, you may have a better chance at acceptance if you earn a bachelor’s degree, gain volunteer or paid clinical healthcare experience, participate in extracurricular activities and take on some leadership positions while in college.

Step 2: Graduate From Medical School

You may complete four years of allopathic medical school to earn a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree, or you might complete four years of osteopathic medical school to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

Both programs prepare you to practice medicine as a pediatrician, but osteopathic programs place more emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and preventative medicine.

Step 3: Earn a License

You must earn a license before you may practice medicine in the South Africa. Allopathic physicians must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while osteopathic physicians are required to pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX).

Each 3-part exam tests candidates on basic science knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to the clinical practice of medicine.

Step 4: Complete a Pediatric Residency

After you graduate from medical school and earn your license, you must complete residency training in pediatrics. This training usually lasts for three years.

During your residency, you complete clinical rotations in different pediatric sub-specialties, such as adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, endocrinology and cardiology. You may also attend lectures, conduct research and gain teaching experience.

Step 5: Consider Earning Board Certification

You may choose to earn board certification in pediatrics following completion of your residency, although this isn’t required. Board certification shows patients that you hold a high level of competency in your chosen specialty.

How many years does it take to become a Pediatrician In South Africa?

You’ll need to complete: a 5-year degree in medicine, recognized 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.

Which universities offer pediatrician in South Africa?

Best Global Universities for Clinical Medicine in South Africa

University of Cape Town.

University of Witwatersrand.

Stellenbosch University.

University of KwaZulu Natal.

North West University – South Africa.

University of Pretoria.

University of the Western Cape.

How much money does a pediatrician make in South Africa?

R1,475,521 (ZAR)/yr.

How many years does it take to become a pediatrician in South Africa?

The overall duration of studying to become a pediatrician takes approximately 7 years. Students pursuing their postgraduate study for specialisation as a paediatrician the candidate: Must have their MBChB degree in possession for 2 years.

What subjects are needed to become a pediatrician in South Africa?

Entry requirements

7 GCSEs, including sciences, with 5 subjects at grades 9 to 7 (A* or A) and English and maths at least grade 6 to 5 (B)

3 A levels at grade A in chemistry and either biology, physics or maths, plus another academic subject.

Is it hard to become a pediatrician In South Africa?

It is a long and difficult year! You will be almost continually sleep-deprived.” Internship is followed by another round of National Medical Board examinations. By the time you finish undergraduate school, medical school, and residency training, I suspect that pediatrics will go through even greater changes.

What subjects do I need to study to become a pediatrician In South Africa?

Candidates for medical school must complete a full year of coursework in each of the following subjects: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics and English. During their junior year, they take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before applying to medical colleges.

How many points do you need to be a pediatrician In South Africa?

480 points from the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination. (Applicants must achieve both the required subjects and the points in the same sitting.)

What are the disadvantages of being a pediatrician?

10 Cons of Being a Paediatrician

Lengthy and expensive schooling. To become a pediatrician, you need four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, and three years of residency.

Stressful.

Irregular hours.

Communication difficulties.

Emotionally draining.

Difficult parents.

Exposure to germs.

Legal risks.

How many days a week do pediatricians work In South Africa?

Many pediatricians in private practice only work 4 days a week, and hours are typically 9-5. One of the great benefits of this field is that flexibility that it can allow to you and your family.

Do pediatricians deliver babies?

A pediatrician is not such an expert. While a pediatrician can take care of your baby when it is born, they cannot deliver a baby. The nurses and doctors will know how to care for the newborn and check for signs of complications or problems right away. If something comes up, your pediatrician will need to be informed.