People tend to forget their skin when taking care of themselves. Thankfully, due to the resurgence of skincare campaigns, more people have been consulting dermatologists for their skin concerns or whenever they experience problems with their skin and its condition, especially when they have sensitive skin.
Dermatologists are the best doctors to go to whenever we have concerns surrounding our skin and for advice on what products we can use to make our skin glow much better and make us look more beautiful. Dermatology is also one of the top 20 jobs in demand in Canada for doctors, as of the data procured last year.
We all know now how vital dermatologists are, so we are sure you’re very interested. Here is everything you must know about becoming a dermatologist in Canada.
Educational Requirements for Dermatologists in Canada
Before someone becomes a dermatologist in Canada, they must have a bachelor of science degree. They must enter and complete an honours’ undergraduate program providing them with a solid pre-medical education. In Quebec, candidates need to have completed a college program and a year of pre-medicine university studies before becoming eligible for the dermatologist title.
Canada has many colleges and universities offering courses for aspiring dermatologists, with eight universities accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to provide basic education and training for aspiring dermatologists.
One of those is the Department of Dermatology and Skin Science at the University of British Columbia. For people in British Columbia, this university program can help them become a dermatologist with its comprehensive program from undergraduate medical education all the way to the graduate student program.
After graduation from medical school, you are expected to enter a five-year advance medical and surgical training course. The training consists of two years of primary clinical training. This includes a minimum of twelve months in internal medicine and another three months in pediatrics. It also contains rotations in rheumatology, oncology, and infectious diseases.
They must also have another two years of approved residency training in dermatology, including a minimum of one year in a general hospital. Lastly, they must have an additional year of training in approved residency training, clinical or basic research related to dermatology, or full-time training in pathology.
Dermatologists Licensing and Other Professional Requirements
After completing the residency, aspiring dermatologists must pass several medical examinations. After completing those successfully, they will receive a Specialist Certificate in Dermatology. This serves as their professional certification, allowing them to use the title “doctor of dermatology” and provide dermatological services to patients in hospitals and/or dermatology clinics.
All medical specialists must finish a mandatory Maintenance of Certification Program to make sure that the licensed dermatologists are still proficient. This is regulated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This includes additional training over and above the daily practice of medicine.
Skills, Knowledge, and Other Requirements
Aside from the required educational requirements and professional licenses and certifications, there are other skills, knowledge, and other needed requirements to become an experienced dermatologist in Canada.
They must know how to work with technological equipment and machinery, using specialized instrumentation and equipment for their dermatological practice. They must be good at examining and diagnosing, analyzing information based on the diagnosis and observation, projecting outcomes, and researching and investigating. They must have above-average communication skills as well.
Lastly, they must have adequate knowledge in medicine, biology, chemistry, therapy, and counselling to provide better services targeted according to their patients’ needs.
Dermatologist Salary and Wages in Canada
Dermatologists in Canada earn quite a lot compared to other professions in the country. Different data is available, but dermatologists working in Canada make up to $228,065 a year, with the base salary at $62,000 a year, and potentially up to $352,000 a year, depending on the years of experience. They also earn bonuses which can start from $405 and run up to $30,000 a year in Canada.
Dermatologists in British Columbia, for example, earn up to $250,975 a year, and it can go up to $508,374 a year. This is within the national average for dermatologists as of the latest data.
Job Prospects for Dermatologists in Canada
There are good job prospects in Canada for dermatologists. Specifically, in British Columbia, the employment prospects for dermatologists will look good for those who aspire to become one. Many factors contribute to this outlook, such as employment growth leading to several new positions, fewer unemployed workers with recent experience, and not many jobs available due to retirements.
