Are you interested in helping people maintain healthy skin? If this sounds like you, then a career in dermatology might be the perfect choice. Working as a dermatologist, you will diagnose and treat skin conditions while also helping your patients to look and feel their best. Show Read on to find out more about what a dermatologist does, how you can become one, and whether a career in dermatology is right for you. What is a dermatologist?A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the prevention and treatment of more than 3,000 hair, skin, nail, and mucous membrane conditions. There are around 44 million visits to dermatologists each year in the United States. Dermatologists provide care to people of all ages, for such conditions as:
Internal medicine doctors and general practitioners can diagnose and treat these conditions. However, a dermatologist has a deeper understanding and greater experience in these types of conditions. Primary care doctors will frequently refer patients to a dermatologist for specialized care. Besides these cosmetic and medical skin-related issues, dermatologists can also recognize the symptoms of other serious underlying health issues. The skin is the body's largest organ and the first line of defense against injury and pathogens. It can often be a good indicator of overall health. For instance, diabetes can impact the skin's appearance, and a dermatologist can be the first healthcare provider to recognize the signs. What does a dermatologist do?Like most medical doctors, the day-to-day duties of a dermatologist are as varied as the patients they care for. They provide life-changing diagnoses and treatments to restore health, prevent illness, and improve life for both children and adults. Dermatologists also provide their patients with education and preventative care for skin and other related health issues. For example, they may perform skin surveys to find precancerous lesions among patients with a high risk of skin cancer. This can help to alleviate pain and vastly improve the lives of patients living with debilitating skin conditions. As part of their day-to-day responsibilities, a dermatologist will:
Dermatology proceduresDermatologists also carry out a variety of procedures, such as:
How to become a dermatologist?To become a dermatologist in the United States, you will need to have an up-to-date license. While requirements will slightly vary depending on the state, most require dermatologists to hold a degree from an accredited medical school, undertake a residency program, and pass the US Medical Licensing Exam. Therefore, to become a dermatologist, you will need to:
How long does it take to become a dermatologist?It can take up to 13 years to become a dermatologist. This includes time spent as an undergraduate, in medical school, and residency. Residencies and fellowships for dermatologistsAfter completing medical school and one year of approved postgraduate training, dermatologists will spend the next three years training in an ACGME accredited dermatology residency training program. There are 150 accredited dermatology programs in the United States. Following certification by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD), a dermatologist can choose to pursue further specialized training in dermatopathology, micrographic surgery, pediatric dermatology, and dermatologic oncology. This involves one year of training in an approved fellowship training program. How much do dermatologists make?The average dermatologist salary in the United States is $300,000 per year, equivalent to $154 per hour. Entry-level dermatology positions typically start at around $78,000 a year, while more experienced dermatologists can expect to make up to $450,000 a year. Salary ranges vary considerably depending on your education, certifications, additional experience, and the amount of experience. Your geographical location can also impact how much you will make as a dermatologist. The table below shows the average salaries of dermatologists across some US regions: Region Annual Average Salary Florida $102,545 California $270,000 New York $350,000 Massachusetts $300,000 Pennsylvania $400,000 Washington $350,000 South Dakota $500,000 Ohio $100,000 Indiana $146,250 Is dermatology right for you?To be a successful dermatologist, you need to take a thorough and disciplined approach to your work and have strong observational skills. You also need a strong interest in medical science, as new technologies are constantly transforming how dermatologists assess, diagnose and treat. But dermatology isn't all about hard work. It is one of the key medical and healthcare specialties that provide a high standard of job satisfaction and work-life balance. There are several reasons to choose to become a dermatologist, for example:
However, as with most professions, dermatology also has its challenges:
Skills to be a dermatologistYou should consider pursuing a career in dermatology if you have the following skills:
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