Paediatric cardiologists are medical professionals who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of young children who have heart conditions. Such medical conditions they would be concerned with include rhythm disturbances, congenital heart disease and acquired heart disease. The type of patient is specific to an age group of unborn babies during the foetal stage to young adults. A paediatric consultant would, for example, be able to use testing methods during the foetal stage to find if there are any signs of heart conditions affecting the unborn child.

This is a branch of medicine that would require you to work alongside a range of sub-specialists, including cardiothoracic surgeons and paediatricians specialising in nuclear medicine. There would be the need to be on call for any medical emergencies, and the ability to react quickly and professionally is a must. Paediatric specialists have the potential to see their work influence the lives of their patients from a very young age to adulthood, which makes this branch of medicine unique.

Work activities

Typical work activities a paediatric cardiologist would need to carry out include:

  • Diagnose, treat, and care for children who have heart conditions.
  • Deal with conditions such as congenital heart disease and acquired heart disease.
  • Work and cooperate with many other sub-specialists, including cardiothoracic surgeons.
  • Provide a network of support for children and their families.
  • Work to put young patients at ease during diagnosis and treatment.
  • Continue to study during your career in order to keep up-to-date with any advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
  • Work on the outpatient and inpatient ward.
  • Be ready to deal with any medical emergencies.
  • There is the chance to conduct your own research, which can help you to develop your own sills and knowledge.
  • Use invasive and interventional methods to test patients for medical conditions of the heart.

Essential skills

  • Organised and professional manner.
  • Clinical thinking.
  • Great level of dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
  • Able to work as part of a medical team of sub-specialists and as an individual.
  • Be ready for medical emergencies.
  • Real desire to help improve the lives of patients.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to put children at ease when undergoing testing and treatment.
  • Strong knowledge of the medical discipline.
  • Confident of your abilities but also knowing of your limitations.
  • Attention to detail.