Hospital pediatric physicians

[Mahliah]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,
I'd like to work in the hospital when I first start out. I was thinking about PICU but I dont want to feel like Im restricted to just that department and want to work with the infants; I also like NICU but I want to work with older kids, not just infants.I also like Peds EM . I read about the hospitalist specialty, and it seems rather new.Are there similar jobs to this? With any of these specialities is it possible to moonlight into other pediatric departments?

 

[michigangirl]

Sounds like you are pretty early in your career-- take your time and if you like kids, pediatric specialties that are the right fit will find you. For example, PICU includes babies, just not (usually) newborns-- that is the NICU. hospitalists are a large part of pediatrics. Many options, do not fret. Keep chugging and you will find the right field for you.

 

[Stitch]

I agree with Michigangirl, you've plenty of time to investigate and contemplate, so don't worry too much. You may even change your mind, and that's ok.

To answer your question though, pediatric hospitalist positions are increasing nationwide. There are a few fellowships out there, and these are growing too, but you can land a good position as a pediatric hospitalist without doing a fellowship. Fellowship provides a more firm academic basis to your practice, and is useful, especially if you're looking to stay in a teaching/research facility. Generally hospitalists aren't moonlighting in other departments though I have seen some other specialists (PICU, renal) moonlighting in the ED. Most EM physicians can't stand inpatient medicine, or outpatient either for that matter, and hence tend to stay in the ED.

 

[Mahliah]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it is a little early for me to be thinking about specialties yet lol.
I'm very interested to see how the hospitalist specialty evolves over the next couple years.