Additional information

body or mind	Body
Field	Medical Field
Boss or Team	Own Boss & Team
Communication	Good Communicator
Work With	People
Math & Science	Maths & Science
Study Length	Prepared to Study for Years
Environment	Busy Environment

Specialist Paediatrician

Paediatricians are doctors that look after the health of children from birth up until the age of about 16. They are specialists in child healthcare and will treat children who have minor childhood illnesses as well as acute and chronic health problems or growth and development problems.

How to be a Specialist Paediatrician in South Africa

Get the Required Qualifications

To become a specialist paediatrician in South Africa, you will need the following qualifications:

Certificate (National Senior Certificate or National Certifificate (v) with Bachelor’s Degree Pass)
Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Medicine)
Post-graduate Degree (Master of Medicine in Paediatrics) *

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

Entry requirements may differ per institution, but you will generally be expected to show competency in the following subjects:

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

Specialist Paedetricians in South Africa typically study for about 10 years. The first 6 years are spent on theoretical training to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and the other four years in post-grad studies to obtain a Master of Medicine in Paediatrics degree.

In addition to the 6 years of undergraduate study and four years of post-graduate study, specialist psychiatrists also usually spend 1 year in student internship and 1 year in community service.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

Specialist Paediatricians have many employment opportunities. In South Africa, specialist paediatricians oten work in large hospitals or clinics. They can also go into private practice.

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about specialist paediatricians, contact the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or the Paediatrician Management Group.