Dermatologist Job Description, Career as a Dermatologist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
dermatologists skin treat using
Education and Training: College, medical school, and specialty training
Salary: Median—$193,870 per year
Employment Outlook: Excellent
Definition and Nature of the Work
Dermatologists are physicians who diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails, such as fungal infections, acne (pimples), birth-marks, skin cancer, eczema (itching, scaling skin), warts, and psoriasis (red patches of skin covered with white scales). The dermatologist first examines the affected area and then may take blood samples, skin scrapings, or tissue samples. The dermatologist usually examines the samples under a microscope or analyzes them using chemical and biological tests. Once the diagnosis is made, the dermatologist treats conditions and diseases using various methods, including medication, surgery, and radiotherapy.
Dermatologists also perform cosmetic procedures on the skin. Some dermatologists may treat scars using methods such as dermabrasion, in which superficial layers of the skin are removed. Others may treat wrinkles using botox injections or other injectible preparations. They may also use laser therapy to remove age spots, treat visible veins, and reduce skin discolorations.
Education and Training Requirements
Like all physicians, dermatologists attend medical school after completing a bachelor's degree. After their internship, dermatology students complete a first-year residency program in one of the following: internal medicine, general surgery, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or emergency medicine. The next three years of residency must be in an accredited dermatology residency program. After their residencies are completed, dermatologists can take the certifying examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). To maintain certification, dermatologists must take a re-certification examination every ten years.
Getting the Job
Dermatologists work in private practice, for hospitals, and for private clinics. Professional associations and medical colleges can provide information about going into private practice or finding a salaried position.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Dermatologists advance as they gain experience in the field and their practice grows. They may specialize in areas such as pediatric or cosmetic dermatology. They can also move into supervisory, teaching, and research positions.
Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 due to continued expansion of health care industries. The population is growing and aging, and the need for dermatologists to diagnose and treat skin cancers will continue to rise. In addition, there will continue to be a demand for cosmetic procedures.
Working Conditions
Physicians generally work in clean, comfortable offices, clinics, or hospitals. Those who have their own practices can control some of their working conditions. Dermatologists who specialize in cosmetic procedures may have upscale offices with the latest equipment.
Earnings and Benefits
In 2006 the median salary of dermatologists was $193,870. Self-employed dermatologists arrange their own benefits. For those who are not self-employed, benefits generally include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans.
User Comments
about 3 years ago
Oh my goodness this is the best site it has everything I need. In my elective class we had to study about what we want to do when we grow up and write a report about it and when I found this site I knew this was what I wanted. So whoever made this site to look for jobs and stuff keep doing what you are doing. God bless.
11 months ago
This website is amazing! Thank you for making it. I can't wait to be a dermatologist!
over 3 years ago
i luv this article. it really shows me a lot about what a derm does. i was looking at this as a possible career and i usally can't find info on it. this website was a big help in helping me determine my future. thanx
over 3 years ago
this website really helped me on a career research paper. Now I know that I want to be a dermotolgist. thank you for all of the facts.
over 3 years ago
This website is amazing!It had all the information that I needed. Thanks and God Bless!
7 months ago
Dr.K
Ok I just want to make this clear for everyone one here....Dermatology is not a major in an undergraduate college. It takes four years, a great MCAT, and acceptance to a medical school before you can even start looking at going into dermatology. It is not an easy thing and dermatology residencies are the second hardest program to get into after medical school (first being surgery). So there is a reason why this field is so popular. Great hours, family time, and interesting things to do all day. Which is the reason why it takes some major dedication and determination in order to become a dermatologist. So study extremely hard for 8-10 years and you may get in!
11 months ago
I had to do a project for my health class on a dermatologist, and this information was helpful! Thanks :)
over 3 years ago
hey thnx i really got A LOT of info on here i ddnt no that derms also do cosmotology duh
about 1 month ago
Jenifer Maloy
This is an extremely helpful site for students hoping to be a dermatologist. thank you very much for helping me come to the decision of being a cosmetic dermatologist, i cannot wait!
2 months ago
I love this. It was honestly my life saver(: got all the info. I needed too finish my career research report in about 2.5 seconds! thanks(:
4 months ago
This really helps!!!!!
9 months ago
i had to do a poster on y i wanted to be a dermatologist and this made it a lot easier =]
11 months ago
This website is amazing! Thank you for making it. I can't wait to be a dermatologist!
12 months ago
okay so in doing a project on the carrer i want to grow up to do and i need to know how much schooling i need to do to be a dermatologist/facialits. can you tell me how long i have to go to school and what degree i need to get.
gracias
Peppie Raymendes
about 3 years ago
This ia an amazing site I have to this project for careers and i found a great deal of imfomation on this wbsite.
about 3 years ago
This website is amazing! I'm doing a report that was due in September and it is now November! haha thanks for the information!
over 3 years ago
This is a great site! In my math class we have to research what carrer we would like to be in. Mine is dermatology. This site is everything I wanted to know and more!
over 3 years ago
thanks to the site for all the info, this was great infomation. thanks <3
about 4 years ago
Very useful for writing job description profiles for physiology classes.
about 4 years ago
This website tells you real facts, and gets to the point. No unecessary info. that just gets in the way! Perfect for simple, but true facts.
over 4 years ago
i think every dermatologist in the world deserves a badge of honor. this is the best job ever and im the health careers academy because this is xactly what i want to be when i grow up!!!
about 1 year ago
Thanks for the info! I'm in my second year of college and interested in a dermatology degree. Super excited for the future! thanks for the helpful information!
over 3 years ago
thanks a lot , i compleated this project in just one day i only copy and paste. thanks :) (; (: ;)
over 3 years ago
This was so helpful! I had to do a paper a couple years ago on a job i wanted to do, and againa couple years later im back to this website. It was very helpful and i love reading up on the career i want to do.
over 3 years ago
Helped me too on a project
over 3 years ago
Thanks.. Helped me a lot for a project
over 3 years ago
this information help me alot. thanks!!
over 3 years ago
Thank you so much for the information ! Just tonight at the dinner table, something came up onto the news about a skin condition. Once the report was over, my mother said, "What about a career in dermatology that is a good field to work in!" So, taking her adivice into my head, I came onto my laptop and searched under "Dermatology Careers" in which your site came up. Now, i hope to look a bit more into this magnificent career through your insightful and delightful information!
over 3 years ago
Thank you kindly. This helped me out a lot.
over 3 years ago
yo this is helpfull i really wanna b a dermatologist and help ppl w/ there ugly skin.
12 months ago
aimee
this is a good website im considering majoiring in being a dermatologist .
about 1 year ago
LifeSaver
You can get ProActiv it seems to help people with ugly skins
over 3 years ago
perfect info for my project!!!!
8 months ago
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9 months ago
Adilene
AWSOME!!!!! wedsite.... thnks to ths i made a really gud grade in my Career Orientation Class:)!!!!!!!!! Thnk u!!!!
10 months ago
marris
butt squatch
12 months ago
poop
over 1 year ago
i wish i could get rid of my acne
over 3 years ago
I'm doing a career project, and this site helped me out alot!! THANK YOUH!!
almost 4 years ago
I am doing a report on this and it was really helpful and I enjoyed this program it really satisfied my needs
ThAnK yOu!!!!!!!
about 4 years ago
thanks so much. so much info on one site. =] <33333 me
3 months ago
HI.
5 months ago
DustinG
Thanks this really helped. Im jsut trying to figure out what I want for my life... Thank You.
6 months ago
i have to to this for a powerpoint for biology D:
9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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10 months ago
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over 3 years ago
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about 4 years ago
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THANK YOU!!!
about 4 years ago
i think this a awsome website but still needs more info but this still has so much thank you
over 4 years ago
Excellent website!!!!
Helped me a lot with my paper i had for Tech Ed
9 days ago
Jaybaby
I love this website and i'm only 14 years old
3 months ago
Monica Palacios
Dermatology requirements
3 months ago
annaleice robinson
OK i'm in fort form ,well I no I still have a long way to go but I choose this career and I need you assist me please with this career.
6 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
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9 months ago
Ebonie
This website really helped me with my essay on dermatologist! Im in the 10th grade and I take Medical Terminology and thankyou so much for this!!!!
over 3 years ago
This was really great info for what I plan to do as a career.THANKS!!!
over 3 years ago
Thank you for providing the in depth but brief information... it was very helpful!
over 3 years ago
im planing to to do this as carrer and i did my paper thanks for the information it was helpfull
over 3 years ago
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over 3 years ago
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almost 4 years ago
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almost 4 years ago
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almost 4 years ago
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almost 4 years ago
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almost 4 years ago
I want to become one..and im looking around to see if its the job for me...what popular state do they work at?
about 4 years ago
This was extremely helpful while i was writing my human anatomy paper =] thanks