Written by: Keerthana Venkatesh
Edited by: Aleeza and Jessica
Daily Life
Dermatologists specialize in treating patients with skin conditions that include acne, sunburn, and skin cancer. Their daily lives consist of making consultations, giving screening tests, and completing surgical procedures. They may also identify the skin problem, prescribe treatments for it, and provide some form of skin therapy treatment depending on the patient. Additionally, dermatologists work alongside other medical professionals depending on the skin condition. Some responsibilities dermatologists have include utilizing a patient’s medical history in order to make a diagnosis and communicating with the patient about their current health status. Dermatologists should be good listeners and understanding when interacting with their patients.
Work and Life Balance
Normally, a dermatologist works 8-10 hours and comes in contact with 40-50 patients a day. This is fairly busy for a medical professional and the days are often repetitive. However, many healthcare workers recommend becoming a dermatologist because it requires little to no shift work and emergency calls. A dermatologist has one of the highest levels of work-life balance in the medical field because of their more flexible and reliable schedules which are similar to typical office hours, giving them more time to indulge in their personal life.
Salary
A regular dermatologist earns a salary between $204,000 to $310,000 while a dermatology nurse practitioner earns from $85,400 to $103,700. Additionally, dermatology licensed practical nurse (LPN) normally gets paid $41,000 to $60,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook of Dermatologists to grow 14 percent, LPN to grow 16 percent, and Nurse Practitioners to grow 31 percent.
Educational Steps
One requirement to become a dermatologist is to have a medical degree with a specialization in dermatology. First, an individual must complete a bachelor’s degree, often in biology or chemistry, which takes four years. Then, the next step is going to medical school, which also takes four years. Additionally, a dermatologist must complete all three steps in the US Medical Licensing Exam and a three-year dermatology residency. After that, one must obtain a medical license before finally being able to become a dermatologist.
Becoming More Involved
Some tips for high schoolers planning to become a dermatologist is to take as many science and math classes as possible. Dermatologists must be proficient in math because they prescribe medication to their patients and must be careful about the amounts that they recommend. Science can help you form a basis that will help you in your college education. Furthermore, high schoolers should: intern, volunteer, and participate in out-of-school pre-med extracurricular activities. These activities include conducting an independent research study, reaching out to professors in nearby universities, and volunteering at clinics near you.
Expectations
One expectation to have when becoming a dermatologist is knowing that becoming a doctor of any type is a long and stressful path involving a lot of studying and tests. Also, you must be prepared to interact with many people daily since most doctors can see 1,000 patients in just 20 days. You must also be prepared to look at some skin conditions that may be unpleasant to the eye, such as warts or pus. Lastly, there are many tools you must be familiar with and comfortable using, which include: Comedone Extractors, Lancet Extractors, and Cryoguns.
Bibliography
Berlinsky-Schine, L. (2020, December 03). How to Become a Dermatologist: Steps to Take from High School. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-become-a-dermatologist/
Dermatologist Job Description. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.betterteam.com/dermatologist-job-description
Dermatology Job Roles That Provide Work-Life Balance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.healthcareercenter.com/job-seeker/healthcare-resources/dermatology-job-roles-that-provide-worklife-balance#:~:text=Dermatologist: This dermatology job is a physician-level role.&text=Many healthcare professionals pursuing a,life balance in the specialty.
Says:, A., & Says:, S. M. (2021, February 02). The Daily Life of A Dermatologist: Smart Money MD. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.smartmoneymd.com/the-daily-life-of-a-dermatologist/#:~:text=Most of the workday for,up to 100 a day!&text=On an average 20-day,day will see 1000 people!
H. (2020, June 24). What Is a Dermatologist and How Can They Help You? [Dermatologist]. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/dermatologist-skin-doctor-1296x728-header.jpg?w=1155&h=1528
L. (2017, December 3). You Voted: These Are Your Favorite Dermatologists in Los Angeles [Dermatologist]. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://i1.wp.com/localemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Dermatologist.jpg?fit=1170,780&ssl=1
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