Paediatrician
Paediatricians manage medical conditions affecting infants, children and young people.
You’ll see a wide range of patients, from babies through to teenagers.
Life as a paediatrician
Your day-to-day responsibilities could include caring for acute cases on wards and in A&E, as well as outpatient consultations and managing long-term conditions. You’ll liaise closely with your patients’ families and carers, managing sensitive and sometimes emotional discussions about treatment.
You’ll work with a range of healthcare professionals and provide clinical advice to social services, education and other agencies. You’ll have opportunities to develop close links with other areas of medicine such as primary care, child and adolescent psychiatry and public health.
You can choose to specialise within paediatrics and develop skills in a variety of medical fields, including community paediatrics, child mental health, neonatal intensive care, paediatric emergency medicine, oncology and palliative medicine.
You’ll find the work stimulating and challenging. Your work could include anything from high-tech care for new born babies in a hospital through to managing care for children with disabilities in the community.
Dr Kene Maduemem
Paediatric registrar
Read Kene's storyPaediatrics is not a speciality to delve into just because you love children. It entails dealing with the children, family, school and the community at large.

How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
What are my chances of starting a career in paediatrics?
In 2020 there were 712 applications for 461 specialty training places.
How to become a paediatrician
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a paediatrician, which will take a minimum of eight years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career in paediatrics can take you
You could:
- specialise or conduct research in areas such as diabetes, neurodisability, nutrition, gastroenterology or public health
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
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Locum Consultant Paediatrician - Paediatric A&E
Carshalton, SM5 1AA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
-
COMMUNITY CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN & NAMED DOCTOR FOR SAFEGUARDING
London, E17 3LA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
ST1 Paediatric Bank Doctor
Warrington, WA5 1QG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHSFT
-
Specialty Doctor in Paediatric Dentistry
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AZ
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Paediatrics- Developmental
BANGOR, LL57 2PW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
COMMUNITY PAEDIATRICS SPECIALTY DOCTOR (THURROCK)
Grays, Essex, RM16 2PX
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Paediatrics- Research Fellow
BANGOR, LL57 2PW
- Salary :
- £59727.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Consultant General Paediatrics & Named Doctor Children’s Safeguarding
London, SE5 9RS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Community Paediatrician
Darlington, DL3 6HX
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Community Paediatrician
Burnley, BB10 2PQ
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Community Paediatrician
Catford, SE6 4JF
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
-
Consultant Community Paediatrician
Chester Le Street, DH3 3AT
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Paediatrician
Northampton, NN1 5BD
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Northampton General Hospital
-
Locum Paediatrician Consultant
Warwickshire, CV34 5BW
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Paediatrician
Rhyl, LL18 5UJ
- Salary :
- £121264.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Locum Consultant Paediatrician
Warwickshire, CV34 5BW
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Community Paediatrician
Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 4JL
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Locally Employed Doctor (HIGHER) in Paediatric Surgery
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician
Worcester, WR1 1AA
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Healios
-
Trust Doctor in Paediatric Surgery Specialist Registrar ST3-6 Level
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant Community Paediatrician Neurodevelopment
Carshalton, SM5 1AA
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Paediatrician (Paeds on call)
Huddersfield, HX3 0PW
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Paediatrician in Community Child Health
Lincoln, LN2 5QY
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Paediatrician in Community Child Health
Boston, PE21 9QS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
-
COMMUNITY CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN & LEAD FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
Chadwell Heath, RM6 4XH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Dermatology Doctor
Swindon, SN3 3RB
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Wandsworth, SW18 4WW
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Specialty Doctor
Leeds, LS12 3QE
- Salary :
- £70901.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
ENT Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
London, SE14 6BL
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Specialty Doctor
London, W6 8NF
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West London NHS Trust
-
ENT Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Slough, SL1 2EJ
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Slough, SL1 2EJ
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Dermatology Doctor
Leicester, LE1 2BU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Lichfield, WS14 9LH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- St Giles Hospice
-
Specialty Doctor
London, SE5 8UH
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Dermatology Doctor
Canterbury, CT1 1BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Speciality Doctor
Workington, CA14 2AL
- Salary :
- £105000.00 to £115000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Humankind Charity
-
Dermatology Doctor
Worthing, BN11 3BN
- Salary :
- £550.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- CHEC
-
Specialty Doctor
Brunel Road, , RG7 4AB
- Salary :
- £59175.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sue Ryder
-
Stroke Specialist Doctor
Chertsey, KT16 0PZ
- Salary :
- £83945.00 to £95275.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - CAMHS
Stafford, ST19 9QT
- Salary :
- £90000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Active Care Group
-
Respiratory Speciality Doctor
Ashton-under-Lyne, OL69RW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Ophthalmology Specialty Doctor
Sidcup, DA14 6LT
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Orthodontics
Southend, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- £61542.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor Anaesthetics
Hastings, TN37 7RD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Anaesthetics
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Audiologist
Warrington, WA2 9HY
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Audiologist
Harold Wood, RM3 0QA
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Sister
Redhill, RH1 5RH
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Paediatric Audiologist
Northwood, HA6 2RN
- Salary :
- £44485.00 to £52521.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Consultant
Gateshead, NE9 6SX
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Dietitian
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Dietitian
London, SE18 3RZ
- Salary :
- £44485.00 to £52521.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
-
Paediatric Audiologist
High Wycombe, HP11 2TT
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Paediatric Audiologist
Watford , WD17 3EW
- Salary :
- £22.47
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- NHS Professionals Limited
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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has further information about being a paediatric doctor, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.