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Dermatologist |
Career OverviewA dermatologist is a physician who is trained to diagnose, treat and manage various diseases and tumors of the skin, which also includes hair, nails, sweat glands, and mucous membranes. Some of the conditions that a dermatologist commonly deals with are rashes, moles, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer and those conditions that deal with aging.
Dermatologists may also perform procedures that are cosmetic in nature. In treating their patients, dermatologists are qualified to use simple medications as well as surgical procedures.
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Career RequirementsThe field of dermatology requires many years of study from the student so that he may competently practice dermatology on an independent basis. A student interested in this particular field of medicine must first successfully complete a B.S. or B.A. degree with an emphasis on the basic sciences. Next, the prospective physician must enter and graduate from an LCME accredited medical school.
Finally, now considered an M.D., the physician must complete an additional year of post-graduate training in medicine, surgery or pediatrics, followed by three years of specialized dermatology training to become a dermatologist. During these years of study and training, the student of dermatology is expected to maintain high grade point averages and successfully pass many rigorous examinations that prove academic excellence as well as the ability to care for patients.
Education for a dermatologist never ends, as each state requires a certain amount of continuing education credits to be completed each year in order to keep the dermatologist current on all new developments in his field. In addition to several years of education, a dermatologist must be licensed in the state he wishes to work in order to practice medicine legally. Also, dermatologists must be certified through the American Board of Dermatology.
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Job OutlookAccording to the U.S. Department of Labor, the opportunities for physicians will increase faster than average through the year 2014. Job openings will increase due to physicians retiring between now and 2014.
Opportunities for employment for physicians are more abundant in rural and low-income communities. Most physicians choose to enter group practices, such as clinics and hospitals, rather than entering into private practices.
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Career TrackTraditionally, dermatologists diagnose and treat patients on a daily basis. However, there are other options for those interested in dermatology. Some of these options include:
- Becoming a research physician
- Teaching medical students and residents
- Directing various health programs and facilities
- Working with pharmaceutical companies
- Developing new dermatological products, such as skin care lines.
There are many other paths a dermatologist may take other than the traditional one. For those that are not very interested in working with the public, there is the field of dermopathology. In this field, physicians interpret tissue samples under a microscope.
For those that enjoy working with children, there is the field of pediatric dermatology. Dermatologic surgeons perform skin cancer surgery, as well as traditional cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction, facelifts, laser skin resurfacing and the insertion of Botox into the skin. Finally, there is the field of dermatology called immunodermatology, where the physician is trained to diagnose, treat and manage those skin diseases that are caused by weakened immune systems.
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CompensationA dermatologist can expect to earn between $200,000 and $600,000. These numbers can be affected by many different things. The salary for a dermatologist will increase with respect to the years of accumulated experience. Also, salary can be expected to be higher in rural and low-income areas, where there are fewer physicians. Commonly, salary varies from state to state.
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