Dermatologist Job Description

Dermatologists are a kind of medical doctor who specialize in skin, hair and nail health. Dermatologists assess, diagnose, and treat various conditions. They may also consult with client for cosmetic purposes. 

What would I do?

The routine tasks of a dermatologist may include:

• Meeting with patients, gathering patient history and conducting examinations. 
• Diagnosing and treating different skin related illnesses.
• Counseling and providing guidance to patients on routine skincare, such as the importance of skincare, products for their skin type and concerns.
• Prescribing medication to treat different skin ailments.
• Performing procedures such as laser resurfacing, etc and consult to ensure patients are eligible for such procedures.
• May recommend diagnostic tests.
• May refer patients to other kinds of doctors. 
• Administrative work for their practice, such as maintaining patient records.

Am I suited for this job?

Individuals with the following characteristics may be ideal for this role:

• Individuals with good organizational skills.
• Individuals who work well in independently.
• Personable individuals who can interact with various audiences. 
• Individuals who can problem solve.
• Individuals who work well in fast-paced environments.
• Individuals with good communication skills. 
• Individuals able to pay attention to detail and are observant.
• Individual who are able to lead a team.

The Environment/Typical Day

Typical Wage

Per the Government of Canada the lower annual wage for dermatologists in Ontario is $87,103 annually whereas the higher end is $522,764 annually. Per the Economic Research Institute the average salary for a dermatologist in Ontario is $348,845 annually. The graph below, sourced from the Economic Research Institute, illustrates salary progression with experience. 

Benefits

Dermatologist that are self-employed may enjoy limited to no benefits. For others the benefits offered may vary by employer. However, dermatologists who are not self-employed may enjoy the following benefits:

• Dental insurance.
• Health insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Paid sick time off.
• Vacation pay.
• Disability leave.
• Maternity or parental leave.

Job Outlook

Per the Government of Ontario the job outlook in Ontario and Ottawa for dermatology is good. It is anticipated that there will be employment growth in the sector due to creation of new positions and retirements. Further, the increasingly aging population, demand for dermatology and procedures will all contribute to a growth in the profession.

How do I become a dermatologist?

Individuals interested in a career in dermatology must first complete an undergraduate degree and medical school. There is no set or required degree to pursue medical school, however, most medical schools have required courses one must take during their undergraduate studies. For this reason, many individuals interested in dermatology or a career in medicine pursue degrees in the biological sciences. After completion of one’s undergraduate studies and sometimes earlier one may write the Medical College Admission Test and apply to medical school. The requirements and criteria of medical schools vary, it is important to research and learn the criteria for each program you are interested in applying to. Please refer to the Ontario Medical School Application Service website for program requirements.

The following are some medical schools in Ontario:

• Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University. 
• Medicine at the University of Ottawa.
• Queen’s University School of Medicine.
• Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
• Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario.

Upon completion of medical school, individuals interested in dermatology must complete a dermatology residency. Per the Canadian Dermatology Association, dermatology residencies are five years and includes two years of foundational clinical training,  three years of approved training in dermatology which must include 1.5 years in an academic health sciences center and maximum one year in dermatology research. There are currently nine accredited Canadian universities that offer a residency program in dermatology. For a complete list of universities that offer an accredited residency program in Ontario please refer to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada page on the matter.

After completion of residency and further training, MDs must pass the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada qualification exam and be licenced in Ontario to practice. To learn more about the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s qualification exam please refer to their website. To learn about being licenced in Ontario please refer to the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Where would I work?

Dermatologist may work in a variety of settings, such as:

• Dermatology clinics (self-employed or with other physicians).
• Clinics within hospitals.
• Academic health sciences centre.
• Community clinics. 

This graph depicts the breakdown of main work settings for dermatologist and has been sourced from the Canadian Medical Association.

According to the Canadian Medical Association a good chunk of dermatologists have a sole practice. The graph below provides insight into the percentage by type of practice and has been sourced from the Canadian Medical Association. 

How do I find a job?

Individuals who are interested in finding a job as a dermatologist may consider looking at:

• LinkedIn. 
• Google Job Board.
• Dermatology clinic websites.
• Government of Canada Job Bank.
• Hospital websites. 

One may also start their own private practice, either independently or with other dermatologists. 

Applying for a job

When applying for a job as a dermatologist you should make sure to highlight your education and relevant experience in your resume such as further training, etc. You should also highlight these in your cover letter, without being repetitive. You should use your cover letter as an opportunity to convince the reader why you are an ideal fit for the role. You should highlight past experiences on your resume and how they demonstrate the skills required for the role. You should also be sure to highlight any experiences that may make you stand out and any past experiences similar to the role you are applying for. Be sure to modify your resume and cover letter to be reflective of the job description listed with the job posting.

For entry level individuals it may be useful to highlight any experience that you may have acquired thus far that may demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills to excel in the role. For entry level individuals with no prior industry experience, it may be useful to focus on highlight transferable skills from other roles that may aid you. It may be useful to highlight the skills you may have developed through your studies. Be sure to emphasize how your educational training has prepared you for the role and mention examples from your residency or medical school experience. Given the proximity dermatologists are to their patients it may be useful to highlight your ability to communicate with patients and make them comfortable in such an environment.

Prior to your interview prepare a list of questions that you may be asked and have an idea of your answers. You should also be sure to research the clinic to ensure you have all necessary knowledge. Be sure to research the interviewers, if possible. Demonstrate this prior research through your answers subtly. Research will also allow you to be more familiar with what the clinic needs or is seeking and enable you to tailor your answers. Be sure to also have some questions prepared for your interview, having questions shows interest and effort to the interviewer. 

Where can this job lead?

Dermatologists may start off within an existing practice and be able to work their way into starting their own practice after gaining experience. Dermatologists may also pivot into roles such as consulting for skincare or pharmaceutical companies without much further education or training. They may also pivot into the development and design of skincare products for companies that make such products. This may not require any further education, or it may, depending on the role. Dermatologists with an interest in research may pivot into roles in dermatology research. Dermatologists may also opt to pivot into teaching roles and teach in medical schools. This may require some specialized training in education. Dermatologists may also transition to the pharmaceutical side of dermatology and work on development of medicine, etc. Overall, a career in dermatology may open several doors.