Paediatric nephrologists are specialist paediatric physicians caring for children with kidney disease. As a paediatrician, you will be involved in the care of children from birth until adulthood. Many children have complex or rare diseases. A strong interdisciplinary approach and an advanced understanding of relevant physiology, pathophysiology and genetic medicine is required.
The work of a paediatric nephrologist includes caring for children with kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapies, such as peritoneal or haemodialysis, and transplantation. You will be involved in the care of children with a myriad of autoimmune conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus and forms of vasculitis affecting the kidney. Other important clinical aspects of paediatric nephrology include care for children with: hypertension, electrolyte disturbances and tubular anomalies, congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, and urinary tract infections.
As a paediatric nephrologist you will be motivated to:
Applicants who have been appointed to an accredited advanced training position apply to enter the RACP advanced training pathway. It is not possible to complete the entire three years of advanced training at any one Australian site. Currently, all trainees are required to obtain at least two years of training outside of Western Australia. For additional information about this career please visit RACP's website.
The care of children with kidney failure is provided mostly via tertiary paediatric hospitals. There is some scope for private practice or combined practice with general paediatrics. Overseas experience is highly encouraged, and the department are happy to speak to trainees potentially interested in paediatric nephrology about maximising their possibility of finding employment.
