Dermatology training and residency

Dermatology is a very competitive field, and one of the keys to success is finding the right residency position. It’s one of the final steps after undergraduate school and medical school, and can lead to a very lucrative career. The competition for securing open residency positions for dermatology in the United States is intense, with many candidates being rejected. Once accepted, a residency consists of one year as an intern in either internal medicine or surgery. That is followed by three years of practical residency experience.

It can be difficult to find the right residency openings in dermatology because of the competition. Most students applying for positions have fantastic grades and Step scores, so taking part in extracurricular activities during your pre-med years can set you apart from the pack. Participating in things like medical societies, organizations, student run clinics and community outreach programs can give you a more favorable outlook. Residency programs are interested in people who are as well developed personally as they are professionally, so choosing a few activities you are passionate about is important.

The search for the right open residency program is made much easier through this website, where thousands of residency openings are posted, including many for dermatology residency positions. Using this database gives you access to listings of unfilled residency positions in dermatology, and contact information.

During each year of a dermatology residency program, candidates must spend the majority of their time in the direct care of dermatology patients. This will include inpatient rounds, consultations, and clinical conferences. Residents are also required to attend basic science lectures, seminars and conferences on dermatopathology and microbiology. These are all essential parts of the residents training.

Once a potential dermatologist has completed undergraduate pre-med, medical school, and a residency, they can sit for the Dermatology Board Examination. Upon passing, you become licensed and board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. After their residencies and being certified, many dermatologists go into specialized and rewarding fields such as immunodermatology, phototherapy, laser medicine or cosmetic surgery. The many years of hard work are paid back with financial success, and the satisfaction of being able to help those suffering with debilitating skin problems and diseases.