How to Become a Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor who focuses on treating skin, hair, nails, and mucous membrane illnesses. The treatment they provide ranges from assisting patients in enhancing their skin’s appearance to treating severe diseases such as skin cancer.

Dermatologists may offer general care or specialize in a particular form of exercise. These fields include cosmetic dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and dermatopathology. In a method called Mohs surgery, which is used to treat skin cancer, some dermatologists train to become skilled.

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These doctors are also responsible for helping patients improve their physical appearance, as it relates to the skin, hair, and nails. For instance, they can decrease the appearance of wrinkles or scars.

How to Become a Dermatologist
A dermatologist does not only treat skin care problems, but they are also the people we go to in more serious medical conditions relating to the skin. Photo credits to: https://compassiondermatology.com/blog/should-you-visit-a-dermatologist-for-your-acne-problems-dermatologist-in-keller-tx/.

Types of Careers for a Dermatologist

While dermatologists treat cosmetic problems such as wrinkles and scars, more severe medical conditions such as eczema and skin cancer are also addressed.

Likewise, dermatologists treat more than just skin. They also specialize in hair and scalp environments, nails, and mucous membranes inside your mouth, nose, and eyelids. Becoming a dermatologist requires years of training and education. Here are subfields in dermatology you can explore.

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Dermatology Medical Assistant

Most dermatologists are too busy going from patient to patient to conduct duties such as preparing patients for exams, recording medical history, and collecting samples of tests. They need a medical assistant to do that.

A medical assistant does not require a college degree, although it may be preferred by some physicians. Most of the offices of dermatologists involve only a high school diploma.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A certified nursing assistant is another excellent task for someone who wishes to work in dermatology. A CNA operates as a liaison between patients and physicians as a medical assistant. Also, CNAs do not require a degree from college.

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However, a state certification is required by CNAs. The certification method requires you to train for 75 hours and pass a certification examination.

Nurse Practitioner

A dermatology nurse will mainly treat certain circumstances without a doctor’s supervision. A nurse for a dermatologist may conduct minor surgery, such as removing a mole. A nurse can also perform cancer screenings, acne therapy, and cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels.

Average Salary for a Dermatologist and Other Dermatology Careers

According to PayScale, an average wage of $15.73 per hour is earned by a certified medical assistant (CMA) with dermatology abilities. If they have more than 20 years of expertise in this field, most individuals move on to other employment.

According to Work Chron, the Labor Statistics Bureau reports an average hourly wage of $13.72 for nursing assistants and associated employees in its May 2017 statistics, or $28,540 per year. Nurse practitioners also earn an average salary of $88,131 per year.

Dermatologists, according to Medscape, earn a median wage of $308,000. Dermatologists rank in the top five of the most abundant paid physician specialties. 

Where to Find Jobs as a Dermatologist

Whether you’re going to medical college or just graduating from your undergraduate school or high school, there’s a dermatology position that fits your abilities and aspirations well.

After getting an education, training, and license, you can apply to the following job-searching apps and websites.

  • Work Abroad – With Work Abroad, you can apply as a dermatologist in almost all countries around the world.
  • RecruitRecruit is a job search engine for job positions available in Singapore.
  • Work For GoodWork For Good is a leading job search engine for job positions in Qatar and other countries.
  • JobarooJobaroo is a job search engine for job positions available in Australia.
    You can also apply to local clinics, hospitals, and research facilities.

How to Apply for a Job as a Dermatologist

For doctors, there are many specialized job posting sites, including some for dermatologists only. Also, dermatologists can discover employment through recruiters representing hospitals and procedures seeking to fill openings.

Some dermatologists take on locum tenens work, which is temporary work covering for a physician who is taking a leave of absence from his or her office or hospital.

To secure a job, you need to have studied in the field. First, earn a degree. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is the first stage in becoming a dermatologist in higher education. Next, complete a medical course program. Future dermatologists spend their first and second years during medical school.

After, this is followed by a residency. You need to complete a three-year dermatology residency. After that, you can secure a license.

Conclusion

Becoming a dermatologist, including time spent as a graduate, in medical school, and in a residency, may take about 12 years. However, these years will be worth it. Among the perks that come with being a dermatologist is being in an emotionally and physically charged environment.

Being a dermatologist requires compassion and knowledge of the illness. You are also required to be innovative and have a sense of flexibility in practice.

If you’re looking to launch a career in the field of science, click here for more information.

Also read – Geisinger Jobs: Great Opportunities in Healthcare