How To

How to Become a Pediatric Cardiologist

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By Danielle Dean, eHow Contributing Writer

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Most everyone knows that a cardiologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. Many people do not realize that children, even infants, occasionally need a cardiologist. Children may suffer from congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease. Congenital heart disease is present at birth. Sometimes infants with congenital heart disease are diagnosed while the baby is in the womb. Acquired heart disease is varied and can happen to people at any age. No matter the cause of the heart disease, a pediatric cardiologist has a very complex and rewarding career. It takes a lot of education and training to become a pediatric cardiologist.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Attend college. The first step to becoming a pediatric cardiologist is getting an undergraduate degree. There is no surefire undergraduate course of study to get you into medical school. Many people choose to earn a degree in biology or another scientific field. Other students major in a softer discipline such as English. If you choose this route, you will have to ensure that you take a lot of science classes such as biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry to prepare you for medical school. You will have to excel in college to help get into medical school.
Step 2

Take the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT). You need to prepare as hard as possible for the MCAT. Most likely you will take it no later than the spring of your junior year. The MCAT scores will be one of the most important ways that medical scores will judge you on.
Step 3

Apply to medical school. As soon as you get your MCAT score back, apply to all medical schools you may be interested in attending. When you interview make sure to prepare to make yourself stand out.
Step 4

Excel in medical school. You will want to make sure that you study extremely hard. It is advisable to find a professor that you are close to. You will need their recommendation when you apply for their residency. You will pass step one and step two of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
Step 5

Decide if you want to do your residency in pediatrics or combine internal medicine/pediatrics. Either one of these residency will help you prepare. This residency is a three-year program. You will take the United States Medical Licensing Examination during the first year of residency.
Step 6

Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology. The next step is a three-year program that will train you to understand pediatric cardiology. This program must be certified by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education/Residency.
Step 7

Get your medical license. Before you can go into private practice, you will have to pass your state board. Each state has different requirements, so you will have to contact your state medical board for more information.