Pediatric Surgeons — Tasks

Task statements

• Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
• Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
• Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
• Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
• Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
• Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
• Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
• Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
• Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
• Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.
• Interpret results of preoperative tests and physical examinations.
• Manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, or procurement of supplies and equipment.
• Monitor patient's recovery, making follow-up visits and using postoperative assessment techniques, such as blood and imaging tests.
• Operate on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients' functions.
• Perform transplantation operations, such as organ transplants, on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.
• Prepare case histories.
• Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
• Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.