Overview of Pediatric Oncologist Job Duties

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Pediatric oncology deals with adolescent, child and infant patients who suffer from blood disorders or cancer. The pediatric oncologists must graduate from medical school and afterwards, they need to pursue a residency in pediatrics that lasts 3 years. Then, they are required to complete a pediatric oncology-hematology fellowship that lasts another 3 years. This job might be quite difficult at times, because you will have to work with young children who, instead of playing and having fun, need to go to chemotherapy. Your main role will be supporting these kids and their families, to encourage them and make them laugh.

Pediatric Oncology Overview

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States, the employment for all surgeons and physicians, including the pediatric oncologists, is going to increase by 24% by 2020. So, the predictions are positive for these professionals. This growth is quite faster as compared to many other occupations. The healthcare industry expansion is the main reason for the demand of new physicians. In 2012, there were 691,400 surgeons and physicians and by 2022, the projected employment will be 814,700 professionals. As you can see, becoming a pediatric oncologist might be a great idea, considering the great job prospects.

The Job Description

The pediatric oncologist must specialize in pediatrics; afterwards, pursue professional training in hematology and medical oncology. A pediatric oncologist is different from a radiation oncologist or a surgeon who make use of radiation therapy and surgery to cure cancer. Instead, the pediatric oncologist uses chemotherapy and medications.

At the same time, the pediatric oncologist will deal with less cancer cases, as pediatric patients don’t usually suffer from the same variety of cancers that affect adult patients. On the other hand, the children under the age of 18 are more affected by hematologic disorders. As a doctor practicing pediatric oncology, you will have to treat genetic blood disorders including hemophilia and sickle cell anemia, embryonic tumors, lymphoma and leukemia. However, if you choose to become a pediatric oncologist, you will have the possibility to choose and focus only on blood disorders or cancers.

Pediatric Oncologist Job Duties

The pediatric oncologists have a wide array of duties. First of all, they examine the patients and order the diagnostic tests to see exactly what type of disorder they’re dealing with. Once they get the test results, they can make the diagnoses then prescribe proper treatments. At the same time, a pediatric oncologist must support and counsel the patient and his or her family with regards to their disease and how to deal with it.

Usually, the pediatric oncologists work with a specialized treatment team that includes other healthcare workers and physicians; they will treat the patient and help him or her recover.

Some pediatric oncologists also choose to teach at universities and medical schools or perform research in laboratories and hospitals. Besides being a pediatric oncologist, you can also be a teacher or a researcher and have the appropriate duties.