Neonatal doctors are doctors who specialize in caring for newborns, particularly those who have special needs as a result of premature birth or illness. To become a neonatal doctor and master the skills needed to diagnose and treat sick infants, you’ll need a lot of education and training. A bachelor’s degree program, four years of medical school, at least five years of practical training in hospital residencies, and a specialty fellowship are all required for a person to become a neonatal doctor. A new doctor can open a private practice or work in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with the right training and credentials.
Enrolling in an accredited four-year university is the first step toward becoming a neonatal doctor. The majority of future doctors major in biology or another human-health-related subject, with a focus on premedical courses. Students can gain a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, and genetics as they apply to neonates through classroom work and independent studies. The majority of students study for medical school entrance exams during their final two years of undergraduate studies.
Medical schools are notoriously competitive, and acceptance usually requires excellent grades, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Once accepted, a student can expect to spend about two years in lectures and laboratory classes to gain a thorough understanding of medicine. The final two years are spent primarily shadowing and conducting research with actual doctors in hospital settings. In the final year of medical school, a student interested in becoming a neonatal doctor can begin applying for internships and pediatric residency programs.
Most new graduates work in general internship positions for about a year, during which time they continue to take classes and begin treating patients under the supervision of experienced physicians. After completing their internships, aspiring neonatal doctors can apply for two- to three-year pediatric residencies. As a resident, you might work under close supervision in a general hospital, a pediatric specialty center, or a private doctor’s office.
Doctors who want to work as pediatricians can take licensing exams and begin practicing after completing their residencies, but those who want to work as neonatal doctors require additional education. A two- to three-year fellowship in the specialty allows a new doctor to focus solely on patients in neonatal intensive care units. He or she gains expert knowledge of the unique considerations and treatment techniques required for newborn care. A doctor can take a series of official licensing tests and begin working independently after completing a successful fellowship.