What Does A Dermatologist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Dermatologists

Dermatologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin.

Salary
$218850
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Dermatologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other conditions of the skin.

  • Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
  • Conduct complete skin examinations.
  • Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
  • Record patients’ health histories.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Dermatologists record patients’ health histories. They diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete’s foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.

A typical day for a Dermatologist will also include:

  • Conduct complete skin examinations.
  • Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
  • Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
  • Prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics.
  • Provide dermabrasion or laser abrasion to treat atrophic scars, elevated scars, or other skin conditions.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Dermatologists also provide liposuction treatment to patients. They may also refer patients to other specialists, as needed.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Dermatologists evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion. They might also provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.

In addition, they read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them conduct or order diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs (x-rays), microbiologic tests, or endocrinologic tests.

To some Dermatologists, it is also their responsibility to provide therapies such as intralesional steroids, chemical peels, or comodo removal to treat age spots, sun damage, rough skin, discolored skin, or oily skin.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

74% said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they found their job meaningful.


Minars Dermatology

My Typical Day As a dermatologist, your day will begin early, usually around 6 AM, as you’ll commonly see your first patient at 8 AM each day. So, I have to get ready. wake up and become really alert, and enjoy a brief coffee with a muffin on way to work. But once you’re in … Read More


Schweiger Dermatology in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

I’m a board-certified Dermatologist outside of Philadelphia in practice for over 16 years and happy to contribute. What is it like being a Dermatologist? The best way to answer this question is to go back to why I became a dermatologist. It’s one of the most common questions I get asked by medical students and … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Demand for this career is growing very fast.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to follow routines.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$218850 per year

Average hourly wage

$105 per hour

Entry-level Dermatologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $61,380 to $126,470 per year or $30 to $61 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $208,000+ $100+
Median $208,000+ $100+
Junior (Bottom 25%) $126,470 $61
No experience (Bottom 10%) $61,380 $30

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
32%

40 hours
24%

More than 40 hours
44%

Working schedule

98%

2%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
4%

Every day
58%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
93%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
1%

Every day
91%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
17%

Once a year
71%

Once a month
12%

Once a week
0%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
8%

Slightly competitive
1%

Moderately competitive
26%

Highly competitive
23%

Extremely competitive
41%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
15%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
84%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
88%

Once a year or more
12%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
90%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
11%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
90%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
13%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
3%

Doctoral Degree
50%

Post-Doctoral Training
33%

Relevant majors

Dermatology Residency Program

A residency training program that prepares physicians in the delivery of specialized care to patients with diseases of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Includes instruction in dermatologic surgical procedures, cutaneous allergies, sexually transmitted diseases, and diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Dermatopathology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the clinical and microscopic diagnosis and analysis of skin diseases and disorders. Includes instruction in laboratory administration and the supervision and training of support personnel. Requires prior completion of a residency program in dermatology.

Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Program

A fellowship training program that prepares physicians in the treatment of specific skin disease categories, with emphasis on those diseases which predominate in infants, children, and adolescents. Requires prior completion of a residency program in dermatology.


Internal Medicine/Dermatology Combined Specialty Program

A combined educational program in internal medicine and dermatology which has been approved by the specialty board of each of the specialties to ensure that resident physicians completing combined training are eligible for board certification in each of the component specialties. The duration of combined training is longer than any one of its component specialty programs standing alone, and shorter than all of its component specialty programs together.

Medicine

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of medicine, involving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, injuries, and other disorders of the human body. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, examination and diagnosis, patient communications, medical ethics and law, professional standards, and rotations in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, clinical pathology, anesthesiology, family medicine, and psychiatry.


Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of osteopathic medicine, involving a combination of medical principles and procedures and osteopathic principles of holistic medicine and the relationship of the musculoskeletal system to general health. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, preventive medicine, family and community medicine, medical informatics, disease systems, organ and physiologic systems, osteopathic principles and practice, osteopathic manipulative treatment, musculoskeletal and skin systems, clinical specialty rotations, medical ethics, and professional standards and practice management.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
18%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
13%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
18%

4 to 6 years
15%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
18%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
41%

1 month
10%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
17%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
16%

4 to 10 years
16%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
62%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
100%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
33%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
86%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
24%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
86%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
81%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
81%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
81%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
81%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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