If you’re interested in the medical field and want to earn a lucrative salary, consider a career in dermatology. Thanks to the wide variety of career options, you’re sure to find a position that suits your interests. Understanding the jobs you can pursue in this field makes for a more efficient job search. In this article, we define dermatology, explain the benefits of working in the dermatology field, and explore a list of careers in dermatology.
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What is Dermatology?
Dermatology is a branch of medicine that involves the study and diagnosis of normal skin and skin disorders. Careers in this field have both medical and surgical aspects. Dermatology professionals may study skin diseases or conditions like cancer or cosmetic and aging conditions of a patient’s skin, hair, and nails. Some subspecialties in the dermatology field include:
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Dermatopathology
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Immunodermatology
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Mohs surgery
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Pediatric Dermatology
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Aesthetic dermatology
Benefits of choosing a career in dermatology
A dermatology career provides benefits to your personal life and professional career. Understanding these benefits can help you determine whether it’s worthwhile to pursue a job in this field. Here are the benefits of a dermatology career:
In-demand career
Pursuing a career in dermatology can provide you with greater job stability. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report data for dermatologists, it has data for skincare specialists physicians and surgeons.
According to the BLS, skin care specialists can expect an employment growth of 17% from 2019 to 2029. This rate comes much faster than the average growth for all other jobs in the workforce. In comparison, the BLS reports an employment growth of 4% for physicians and surgeons—a rate that’s about as fast as the average for all other occupations.
Career Variety
The dermatology field includes surgical, medical, and cosmetic professions at different experience levels. Having this variety ensures you find a position that best suits your skill level and overall interest in the field. The variety of careers also gives you the opportunity to advance in this field. For example, if you’re a dermatology nurse, you can advance into a dermatologist position, or you could pursue another area of dermatology altogether.
Work-life balance
Unlike other medical careers, a job in dermatology provides you with a regular work schedule. While physicians and other healthcare professionals face long hours, dermatologists and other professionals in this field see patients for 30-40 hours each week. A regular work schedule helps you balance your work schedule and personal life with ease. It also allows for greater flexibility which can lead to job satisfaction.
Dermatology careers
While salaries for a dermatology job depend on factors like the particular job title, employer, and geographic location, a general dermatologist earns a national average salary of $269,843 per year. Knowing more about the specific jobs you can pursue can lead to a strategic career decision. Here are eight careers in dermatology to consider:
Dermatology nurse
Dermatology nurses are a type of registered nurse who treat and care for patients with skin conditions like wounds, diseases, and injuries. They work alongside a medical team and help with a wide variety of procedures, including tattoo removal and laser treatments. Dermatology nurses also take vital signs, record a patient’s medical history, and collect lab specimens and results. They work in various settings, including hospitals, private practice offices, and infusion centers.
Dermatologist assistant
Also known as dermatologist technicians, dermatologist assistants are physician assistants who diagnose and treat skin conditions in dermatology patients. They collect patient information and vital signs, prepare rooms and patients for procedures and consultations, ensure the accuracy of medical records, and coordinate payments with the billing and insurance department. Dermatologist assistants also help dermatologists with procedures like chemical peels and dermabrasion.
Dermatology sales representative
A dermatology sales representative sells skincare products based on their client’s needs. They learn about their client’s skincare problems to provide them with the best skincare solutions. Dermatology sales representatives sell within a designated geographic territory or based on client leads. They learn about pharmaceutical products and understand unique skin needs. They also establish relationships with healthcare and cosmetic professionals and buyers. In addition, dermatology sales representatives maintain a thorough understanding of the market and industry competitors.
Dermatologist
Dermatologists treat conditions involving a patient’s skin, hair, and nails. They consult with patients regarding their skin-related concerns and ailments through medical or surgical treatments. Dermatologists perform dermatological screenings and diagnostic tests and procedures, educate patients on better skincare habits, and prescribe medication. Some procedures they perform include cosmetic filler injections, laser therapy, tattoo removal, hair removal, and radiation therapy.
Pediatric dermatologist
Pediatric dermatologists diagnose and treat children suffering from diseases that affect their hair, skin, or nails. They work with children of various ages, including both newborns and infants. Pediatric dermatologists diagnose skin conditions, provide medical or prescription treatment, and perform minor surgical procedures such as skin biopsies or laser treatment for vascular birthmarks.
Cosmetic dermatologist
Cosmetic dermatologists focus on the superficial and cosmetic applications of dermatology. They address patient desires rather than patient needs. Cosmetic dermatologists develop a treatment plan, prescribe oral or topical medications, recommend lifestyle or skincare changes, and provide aesthetic services including:
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Skin tone correction
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Wrinkle smoothing
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Skin tightening
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Tattoo removal
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Cellulite treatment
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Acne treatment
As a cosmetic dermatologist, you may work at a general practice, a dermatology clinic, or a medical spa. While cosmetic dermatologists often receive additional training, you don’t need additional certification for this profession.
Mohs surgeon
Mohs surgeons treat patients diagnosed with skin cancer through a surgery known as Mohs surgery. During surgery, Mohs surgeons remove thin pieces of skin and examine them under a microscope to verify that they removed all of the cancer cells.
After completing their surgical residency, some dermatologists receive advanced training in Mohs surgery or complete a Mohs surgery fellowship to pursue this specialty.
Dermatopathologist
Specializing in dermatology and pathology, dermatopathologists diagnose skin disorders under a microscope. They examine samples of skin, hair, and nails to provide dermatologists with a confirmed diagnosis.
For example, when dermatologists perform a skin biopsy, they send it to a dermatopathologist. Dermatopathologists then examine the biopsied skin with a microscope and provide dermatologists with a biopsy or pathology report to confirm or deny their suspected diagnosis. Dermatopathologists explain what disease they found and include other information like the stage or severity of the disease. Providing a dermatologist with this information can help them prescribe the best possible treatment.
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