Dermatologist

Role & responsibilities

Roles & Responsibilities of a Dermatologist

Clinical care

• Diagnose and treat

  diseases of the skin, hair, and nails (e.g., acne, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, rosacea, alopecia).

• Perform skin examinations

  including full-body exams for suspicious lesions and mole checks.

• Manage chronic dermatologic conditions

  with long-term treatment plans and monitoring.

• Prescribe medications

  (topical, systemic, biologics) and adjust therapy based on response and side effects.

• Provide urgent care

  for acute dermatologic problems (e.g., severe rashes, drug eruptions, infections).

Procedural and surgical care

• Perform minor surgical procedures

  : excisions of skin lesions, biopsies, laceration repair.

• Conduct dermatologic surgeries

  such as Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer (if trained).

• Undertake cosmetic procedures

  : injections (botulinum toxin, fillers), chemical peels, laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and other aesthetic interventions.

• Manage wound care

  and postoperative follow-up.

Diagnostic responsibilities

• Interpret skin biopsies

  (if dermatopathologist) or request/coordinate dermatopathology and other lab tests.

• Use and interpret diagnostic tools

  : dermoscopy, Woods lamp, patch testing, culture and microscopy.

Preventive care and screening

• Skin cancer screening and prevention

  : education on self-exams, sun protection counseling, high-risk surveillance.

• Vaccination and infection prevention

  when relevant (e.g., HPV-related lesions).

Patient education & counseling

• Explain diagnoses, treatment options, risks, and expected outcomes

  in understandable terms.

• Advise on skin care regimens

  , cosmetic product use, and lifestyle modifications (sun safety, diet, smoking cessation when relevant).

• Provide emotional support

  and counseling for visible or chronic skin disorders that affect quality of life and mental health.

Coordination & referrals

• Coordinate care with other specialists

  (primary care, infectious disease, rheumatology, oncology, plastic surgery, endocrinology, psychiatry).

• Refer for multidisciplinary management

  when systemic disease or complex care is required.

Administrative & professional duties

• Maintain accurate clinical documentation

  and coding for visits and procedures.

• Supervise clinical staff

  (nurses, physician assistants, residents) and participate in training and mentoring.

• Ensure compliance

  with clinical guidelines, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements (e.g., consent, infection control).

Education, research & continuous learning

• Engage in continuing medical education

  to stay current with advances (new drugs, technologies, guidelines).

• Teach medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals.

• Participate in or lead research

  and quality improvement projects to advance dermatologic care.

Teledermatology & digital health

• Provide remote consultations

  (triage, follow-up, lesion evaluation) using telemedicine platforms where appropriate.

• Use digital tools

  (patient portals, imaging) for monitoring and documentation.

Ethical & legal responsibilities

• Obtain informed consent

  for treatments and procedures.

• Maintain patient confidentiality

  and act in patients best interest.

• Recognize limits of competence

  and refer when care is beyond scope.

Preferred candidate profile