NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Dermatologists

SOC 29-1213.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full scope of clinical dermatology practice — from supervised entry-level patient examination and documentation through autonomous diagnosis and surgery to organizational leadership, research direction, and trainee development within hospital, outpatient, and academic medical settings.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Complete skin examinations — conduct systematically under attending physician supervision in an outpatient dermatology clinic.
  2. Patient health histories — record accurately using structured intake forms and electronic medical record software in a supervised clinical setting.
  3. Common pigmented lesion types — recognize and differentiate, including acquired nevi and blue nevi, during supervised patient encounters.
  4. Diagnostic test recommendations — identify appropriate options based on patient history and physical findings under direct faculty guidance.
  5. Acne, dandruff, and superficial fungal conditions — diagnose and initiate standard treatment protocols with attending oversight in a residency clinic.
  6. Dermatologic medical literature — read and summarize relevant journal articles to support evidence-based care decisions under supervision.
  7. Sun protection and skin cancer awareness — communicate basic counseling points to patients using established educational materials.
  8. Incisional biopsy procedures — assist in performing under direct supervision to support melanoma diagnosis in a hospital or clinic setting.
  9. Medical software and scheduling platforms — navigate to document patient encounters and manage appointment workflows in a clinical environment.
  10. Skin examination findings — document in written clinical notes with attention to detail, following departmental formatting standards.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Complete skin examinations — perform independently and efficiently, identifying normal variants and common pathologies across diverse patient populations in an outpatient clinic.
  2. Dysplastic and congenital nevi — diagnose and develop management plans with reduced oversight, applying dermoscopy in a general dermatology practice.
  3. Skin conditions such as psoriasis, moles, and seborrheic conditions — diagnose and manage routinely, adjusting treatment regimens based on patient response.
  4. Incisional biopsies — perform with technical competence to obtain diagnostic-quality tissue samples for melanoma workup in a clinical or surgical setting.
  5. Patient histories — gather comprehensively, integrating prior records and patient-reported data using electronic health record systems in a practice setting.
  6. Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests — recommend and interpret results in context of dermatological presentations, coordinating with pathology teams.
  7. Annual dermatologic screening counseling — deliver individualized education to patients on skin self-examination and lymph node monitoring during routine visits.
  8. Minor skin surgical procedures — perform to address early-stage lesions or improve appearance, with appropriate pre- and post-operative care documentation.
  9. Video conferencing and telehealth platforms — conduct remote patient consultations for follow-up and straightforward dermatologic concerns.
  10. Complex problem-solving in familiar clinical scenarios — apply active learning strategies to adapt treatment approaches when first-line therapies prove insufficient.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Comprehensive skin examinations — perform autonomously across full patient scope, integrating dermoscopic and clinical findings to detect early-stage malignancies in high-volume practice settings.
  2. Melanoma and complex pigmented lesions including Spitz nevi — diagnose and manage independently, selecting optimal surgical and adjunct treatment strategies.
  3. Skin cancer excisions and reconstructive procedures — perform across a broad range of complexity levels, applying sound surgical judgment to balance oncologic and cosmetic outcomes.
  4. Non-routine dermatologic presentations — resolve through inductive and deductive clinical reasoning, synthesizing patient history, examination, and pathology in an academic or specialty practice.
  5. Patient counseling on skin cancer prevention and screening — tailor evidence-based education to individual risk profiles, demonstrating social perceptiveness and persuasive communication.
  6. Diagnostic workup pathways — design and oversee for rare or atypical skin conditions, coordinating multidisciplinary input from oncology, pathology, and immunology.
  7. Clinical documentation and reporting — produce high-quality written records and referral letters that meet regulatory and medicolegal standards across all patient encounters.
  8. Emerging dermatologic therapies and clinical evidence — critically evaluate and integrate into practice protocols, demonstrating active learning and scientific rigor.
  9. Monitoring of chronic skin conditions — implement systematic follow-up plans using electronic health record tools to track disease progression and treatment efficacy.
  10. Interprofessional coordination — lead case discussions with nursing, pathology, and oncology teams to optimize patient outcomes for complex skin cancer cases.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental clinical standards and treatment protocols — develop and implement organization-wide, ensuring alignment with current evidence and specialty guidelines across a dermatology division.
  2. Dermatology residency and fellowship trainees — mentor and evaluate systematically, designing learning strategies and instructional frameworks that accelerate clinical competence.
  3. Complex melanoma and high-risk skin cancer programs — establish and direct, integrating surgical, medical, and supportive care pathways at an institutional or regional level.
  4. Organizational policy on sun safety, skin cancer screening, and public health dermatology — shape through expert advisory roles, influencing community and health system practice.
  5. Quality improvement and patient safety initiatives — lead across the dermatology service line, using monitoring data and outcomes analytics to drive measurable performance gains.
  6. Research agenda for skin disease diagnosis and treatment — define and champion, securing funding and publishing findings that advance the field at a national or international level.
  7. Multidisciplinary tumor board and cancer committee leadership — provide authoritative dermatologic expertise influencing treatment decisions for complex oncology cases at the hospital level.
  8. Workforce development and personnel strategy — design recruitment, credentialing, and continuing education programs for dermatology staff within a large health system.
  9. Health information technology adoption — guide selection and optimization of medical software, telehealth, and EHR platforms to support scalable, high-quality dermatologic care delivery.
  10. Ethical and professional standards in dermatologic practice — model and uphold with integrity, advising institutional leadership on medico-legal, billing compliance, and patient-rights matters.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

A 4-level framework describing how a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline. Subscribe for $19.99/mo to read the full framework — or sign in if you have a subscription.

  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library

Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors59 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Board Certified Dermatologist · Clinical Dermatologist · Dermatological Surgeon · Dermatologist · Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor) · Dermatologist Physician · Dermatology Physician · Dermatopathologist · DO Physician (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Physician) · Doctor · General Dermatologist · MD (Medical Doctor)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingService OrientationActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningScienceWritingComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringCoordinationPersuasionInstructingLearning StrategiesNegotiationTime ManagementManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingBiologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyComputers and Electronics
Abilities
Oral ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionNear VisionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityInformation Ordering
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessIntellectual CuriosityIntegrityAchievement Orientation
Technology
Medical softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareVideo conferencing softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Conduct complete skin examinations.
  2. Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.
  3. Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.
  4. Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.
  5. Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.
  6. Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.
  7. Record patients' health histories.
  8. Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.
CIP education codes
51.120151.120261.010961.050161.050261.050361.0599

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.