Neonatologists care for and treat newborn babies in hospitals and NICU settings. They are specially trained in providing care for newborns who are suffering from illness or birth defects. They often treat the challenges that threaten babies who are born prematurely
A neonatologist is usually required to:
- Diagnose and treat newborns who are suffering from disorders, infections or birth defects
- Coordinate the care and treatment of newborns who are premature or sick
- Ensure that newborns receive the correct nutrition they need to grow and develop
- Provide immediate care for babies following a cesarean section or other major medical operation
- Communicate with a newborn’s parents to educate them on the care of an ill or injured baby
- Consult with the rest of a baby’s medical team to decide on the best treatment plan
Neonatologist requirements
Neonatologist must meet specific educational and certification requirements to be qualified to practice in the United States. They also might have an extremely specified skill set so that they can care for their patients effectively.
- Education
- Training
- Certifications
- Skills
Education
A neonatologist’s education has several necessary steps. These include:
Bachelor’s degree: A pre-med bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year program is the first step for anyone interested in a medical career. A pre-med degree introduces students to the fundamentals of healthcare and equips them for the next stage of their education. A student’s performance in their pre-med coursework is important because most graduate degree programs require applicants to have earned a 3.0 or 3.5 GPA on any undergraduate work.
Medical school: After earning their bachelor’s degree, an aspiring neonatologist will need to be accepted into a medical school. Most neonatologists graduate from medical school in four years. The first two years of medical school focus on teaching anatomy and other medical sciences. The final two years provide the student with experience in a variety of medical specialties, which helps them decide on a career path.
Residency: After graduating from medical school, prospective neonatologists must complete a pediatric residency. This takes place over around three years and gives the student valuable practical experience in caring for children and infants. They will work in a medical environment with a team of other medical professionals and will participate in learning opportunities regularly.
Fellowship: After completing their residency, an aspiring neonatologist can begin their neonatology fellowship. This includes working in neonatal care and contributing to current research in the field. By the end of their fellowship, a neonatologist will have several years of practical neonatal experience and will have published relevant work in a medical journal.
Training
MBChB degree at UP, UCT, UFS, Wits, US, UL, UKZN:
– Theoretical training: 6 years
– Student internship: 1 year
– Practical work at a hospital: 1 year (also known as the house doctor year).
General paediatrics must be studied before specialising in neonatology.
The paediatric training programme, or “residency,” is 3 years long and comprises mostly time in the clinic, in-patient wards and emergency department under the guidance of the paediatric faculty. The resident takes care of patients in a closely supervised environment, goes to daily lectures and teaching conferences and works night shifts to handle paediatric emergencies in the hospital.
Additional Requirements: before commencing post-graduate study for specialisation as a neonatologist, the candidate must:
– be in possession of an MBChB degree for 2 years
– be registered as a medical doctor with the Interim Medical and Dental Council (IMDC) of South Africa for 1 year.
Registration: on successful completion of the examination to qualify as a specialist, the candidate must register with the IMDC as a neonatologist
Certifications
Certification and licensure for a neonatologist is a five-step process. These steps include:
- Medical Licensing Exam Part 1: The first section of the USMLE is administered after the first two years of medical school. It evaluates the student’s knowledge of medical practice and science.
- Medical Licensing Exam Part 2: Students take the second section of the USMLE after completing their fourth year of medical school. This part evaluates the student’s ability to use what they have learned in the classroom in a clinical environment.
- Medical Licensing Exam Part 3: The final part of the exam is administered after the first year of pediatric residency is completed. Passing this section will qualify the student to practice as a doctor.
- Board examination: Following their residency, an aspiring neonatologist must take and pass their state’s pediatric board examination, which will make them certified to provide pediatric care.
- Fellowship examination: At the end of their fellowship, a neonatologist must pass a final series of exams that will certify them as a qualified provider of neonatal treatment and medicine.
Skills
There are several professional skills that are beneficial to neonatologists. These include:
Communication skills: Neonatologists must be able to communicate effectively with their medical team, their supervisors and the parents and family of their infant patients. Clear, concise and efficient communication will help everyone involved in the infant’s care to do their jobs correctly. Tactful, considerate and straight-forward communication with the parents and their support system will ensure that the infant is well-cared for even after they leave the hospital. Neonatologists are also required to explain complex procedures to non-medical personnel, including the infant’s family and hospital employees.
Technical skills: Neonatologists must be experts in the care of newborns and infants under the age of four weeks. They regularly draw on their extensive medical knowledge to diagnose and treat illnesses and disorders in babies. They are skilled in completing a variety of procedures, including examinations, prescribing medications and delivering babies. These skills are gained from both medical school and through practical experience.
Ability to work under pressure: Providing care for infants can be stressful and involved. Neonatologists must be able to stay calm and focused in a fast-paced work environment. They must also be able to administer whatever care is necessary for the baby’s well-being, even when it is difficult. Their work environments may be loud or chaotic at times, but a neonatologist should be able to do their job well under any circumstances.
Problem-solving: Neonatologists, like most medical professionals, must examine and interpret their patients’ symptoms to provide accurate diagnoses and beneficial treatments. Neonatologists are required to complete whatever tests or research is necessary to determine the best possible treatment plan for a sick or injured infant. They will need to collaborate and cooperate with the infant’s other health care providers to ensure the baby is properly cared for.
Empathy: Neonatologists need to be able to communicate with an infant’s family in a caring and kind way. If they can show genuine empathy and concern, the baby’s parents and other guardians will be more willing to trust the neonatologist and their judgmental. Creating positive relationships with their patient’s parents is a crucial part of neonatologist’s job.
How long does it take to become a neonatologist in South Africa?
Theoretical training: 6 years. Student internship: 1 year. Internship: 2 years.
What degree does a neonatologist need?
A neonatologist must complete 14 years of training that includes four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, a pediatric residency and a neonatology fellowship.