Dermatopathologists are licensed medical doctors who study samples of human skin tissue in hospital laboratories to identify and diagnose diseases. They examine physical and chemical abnormalities with microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated instruments. A person who wants to work as a dermatopathologist must typically complete four years of medical school and five years of residency and fellowship training to gain the necessary skills. He or she must also pass a series of exams in order to obtain a license and begin working independently.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university can be pursued by someone who believes he or she wants to be a dermatopathologist. Premedical studies, biology, or health science are the most common majors for aspiring dermatopathologists. To become familiar with medical terminology, a student usually takes several advanced courses in human anatomy and physiology. Chemistry and biology laboratory classes teach the fundamentals of scientific research, while statistics classes teach the fundamentals of study design and analysis. A student can begin applying to medical schools and taking the required entrance examinations near the end of a bachelor’s degree program.
Guidance counselors can assist a person in locating and applying to programs. After a student has been accepted into a medical school, academic advisers and mentoring professors can assist him or her in determining which courses will be most useful in pursuing a career as a dermatopathologist. The first two years of medical school are typically spent in classrooms and laboratories, receiving detailed instruction from knowledgeable professors. The last two years of the program are spent conducting actual research with students and professors. An individual can earn his or her degree and begin applying to residency programs at hospitals by writing a dissertation based on an original research project.
To work as a dermatopathologist, you’ll need to complete a three-year residency in dermatology or pathology. A new doctor can practice dermatological medicine and conduct laboratory research while completing a residency program under the supervision of experienced professionals. After graduation, a successful resident can apply for a two-year fellowship in dermatopathology. The majority of a fellow’s time is spent in the laboratory, where he or she prepares biopsy tissue slides, writes diagnostic reports and scientific papers, and assists established doctors in their work.
A doctor can become a dermatopathologist after completing a fellowship program and passing licensing exams administered by national or international governing boards. The International Board of Dermatopathology is recognized in most European and Asian countries, whereas doctors in the United States must pass exams administered by both the American Board of Pathology and the American Board of Dermatology. After earning a license, a person is qualified to work in a hospital, specialty clinic, or private laboratory on a permanent basis.