If fail pediatric boards, implications for job?

[train111]

Out of curiosity, if you fail the pediatric boards the first time around, and you work in a primary care or urgent care setting, can you still keep your job? I'm sure it differs with each institution, but I was just wondering if there is a general rule in terms of how long you can work without being a board-certified pediatrician. Thanks.

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[JMMH]

Most places will give you a few tries to pass before they revoke your privileges. The hospital I'm working at now gives you five years to pass the boards.

I remember working with a community pediatrician as a 3rd year medical student and went back to the practice as a 4th year. That pediatrician had to leave the practice in between my rotations because he had yet to pass the boards after multiple tries. He ended up having to go to a rural area to find a job because he lost hospital privileges.

 

[Giic]

Totally dependent on your boss / specific institution. Most places won't fire you just because you failed once. Some won't even fire after failure of multiple attempts. However, certain factors may come into play. For example, if you have pediatric residents, then ACGME requirements for the residency program include that faculty members are board-certified. So they may want to let go of you, rather than risk accreditation of the residency.
In general, I would say that failing the exam has more implications for those who don't already have a job (or who are interviewing to switch jobs) -- than for those who have secured a job already.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Totally dependent on your boss / specific institution. Most places won't fire you just because you failed once. Some won't even fire after failure of multiple attempts. However, certain factors may come into play. For example, if you have pediatric residents, then ACGME requirements for the residency program include that faculty members are board-certified. So they may want to let go of you, rather than risk accreditation of the residency.
In general, I would say that failing the exam has more implications for those who don't already have a job (or who are interviewing to switch jobs) -- than for those who have secured a job already.

Can you reference the statement about the ACGME requirements in pediatrics? I know numerous pedi faculty at med schools that teach residents who are not board certified for a variety of reasons not limited to failing the boards. It might be true that too many non-board certified would pose some issues for the program's recertification, but that is unlikely to be affected by one person and your comment implies that every faculty member has to be board certified.

 

[Giic]

Can you reference the statement about the ACGME requirements in pediatrics? I know numerous pedi faculty at med schools that teach residents who are not board certified for a variety of reasons not limited to failing the boards. It might be true that too many non-board certified would pose some issues for the program's recertification, but that is unlikely to be affected by one person and your comment implies that every faculty member has to be board certified.

Sorry, I'm just seeing this....
I am not sure what the ACGME maximum limit of non-certified faculty is, or minimum... But I do know of at least one pediatric faculty at a program who was told that if he didn't pass (had failed multiple times), the residency program would be in jeopardy. I also know that the pediatric program director at my current university sent out a mass email to all pediatric faculty regarding board certification prior to our last RRC review (the email suggested that this was something which was important for the review). Unfortunately, I only have these sources from these 2 program directors. From a quick search on the ACGME website, this is definitely an issue that is discussed, although they refer to minimum numbers of faculty to be certified in whatever field.

 

[IlDestriero]

My academic job gives faculty 3 years to pass. If you fail a couple times, I would not expect them to renew your faculty appointment. Everyone is expected to be certified with the new peds anesthesia board in 3 years as well. It's only offered once a year, so you don't have many chances.

 

[Giic]

My academic job gives faculty 3 years to pass. If you fail a couple times, I would not expect them to renew your faculty appointment. Everyone is expected to be certified with the new peds anesthesia board in 3 years as well. It's only offered once a year, so you don't have many chances.

Even worse - the ABP subspecialty exams are offered only once every 2 years.....

 

[DRQMD]

Out of curiosity, if you fail the pediatric boards the first time around, and you work in a primary care or urgent care setting, can you still keep your job? I'm sure it differs with each institution, but I was just wondering if there is a general rule in terms of how long you can work without being a board-certified pediatrician. Thanks.

I think ABP requires all pediatriacian to pass their boards within 7 yrs of completing residency otherwise you will have to go back for one year of residency. HOpefully that wont happen to you.

 

[group_theory]

Can you reference the statement about the ACGME requirements in pediatrics? I know numerous pedi faculty at med schools that teach residents who are not board certified for a variety of reasons not limited to failing the boards. It might be true that too many non-board certified would pose some issues for the program's recertification, but that is unlikely to be affected by one person and your comment implies that every faculty member has to be board certified.

http://www.acgme.org/acgmeweb/Portals/0/PFAssets/2013-PR-FAQ-PIF/320_pediatrics_07012013.pdf

PDF page 7, document page 6, II.B.2


However, it doesn't state how many faculty should be board certified, just that a sufficient number must be at each participating sites.