Dermatologists

What the job really is

Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1213
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Conduct complete skin examinations.
• Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
• Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
• Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
• Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
• Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
• Record patients' health histories.
• Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.
• Prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics.
• Conduct or order diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs (x-rays), microbiologic tests, or endocrinologic tests.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.
• Provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.

Tools and technology

Cisco Webex, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Zoom, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Allscripts PM, Aspiration guns, Automated external defibrillators AED, Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR, Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR, Biopsy containers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Pediatric Surgeons
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
• Cardiologists
• Urologists
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Allergists and Immunologists
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Dermatologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.