Dermatologists

Key Responsibilities

• Instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.
• Record patients' health histories.
• Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
• Evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.
• Conduct clinical or basic research.
• Provide therapies such as intralesional steroids, chemical peels, or comodo removal to treat age spots, sun damage, rough skin, discolored skin, or oily skin.
• Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.
• Conduct complete skin examinations.
• Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.
• Refer patients to other specialists, as needed.
• Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
• Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
• Conduct or order diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs (x-rays), microbiologic tests, or endocrinologic tests.
• 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.
• Provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.
• Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.