1. Medical Dermatology: Learn how to diagnose and treat the nuances of acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, hair loss, skin cancer, full skin exams, dermatologic medications, and more. Much of the Scholar's day is spent directly alongside a physician as a medical assistant and scribe, seeing patients, gathering histories, documenting visits, developing a differential, and learning to present cases to the attending, much like the teaching model used in residency.
2. Procedural Dermatology: This is hands-on training. Scholars have repeated opportunities, under direct supervision, to perform liquid nitrogen, shave and punch biopsies, I&Ds, ED&C and ILK. We also teach and refine suturing for punch excisions. The goal is repetition—not simply watching a procedure once, but developing confidence and excellent technique by doing it again and again.
3. Cosmetic Dermatology: Learn facial anatomy, neuromodulators, fillers, lasers, energy-based devices, resurfacing, skincare, patient selection and the art of natural aesthetic results. Cosmetic training is primarily observational, with extensive physician shadowing supplemented by dedicated educational sessions with our physicians, device companies, pharmaceutical partners and aesthetic-industry educators. Excellent cosmetic medicine begins with excellent medicine.
4. Bedside Manner & Concierge-Level Care: Clinical knowledge alone does not make an exceptional clinician. You will learn the Zand Dermatology approach to concierge-level patient care: how to listen, develop an empathic bond with patients, explain a diagnosis clearly, set expectations, deliver difficult news, create trust and make patients feel genuinely cared for. You will also learn one of the hardest parts of practicing medicine: how to handle challenging cases and difficult conversations with warmth, confidence, boundaries and professionalism.
5. Dermatology Coding: Coding is an essential—and rarely taught—part of becoming an independent clinician. By the end of the year, you will be fully adept at dermatology coding, including E/M selection, procedure coding, modifiers, documentation requirements, medical necessity and the fundamentals of coding biopsies, destruction, and other procedures.
Formal postgraduate dermatology education is still relatively uncommon. Vanderbilt University, for example, offers a three-semester Dermatology Subspecialty Certificate for nurse practitioners. Some postgraduate dermatology education programs charge nearly $20,000 in tuition. At Zand Derm Academy, we take a different approach: our Academy Scholar receives a $50,000 salary while completing a full year of immersive, hands-on medical and cosmetic dermatology training, plus a $2,000 CME credit and a $10,000 graduation bonus.
Upon successful completion of the program, Scholars receive a Zand Derm Academy Certificate of Completion, a letter of recommendation, and—most importantly—a full year of intensive dermatology experience designed to open doors and launch their career in dermatology. Participation in the Academy does not guarantee or imply future employment with Zand Dermatology following completion of the program.
We are looking for an exceptional NP, PA, MD or DO who is intellectually curious, meticulous, warm, hardworking, and deeply motivated to become excellent at dermatology. Prior dermatology experience is not required.
Zand Derm Academy is a postgraduate clinical training program and is not an ACGME-accredited dermatology residency or fellowship. Successful completion does not confer board certification or eligibility for board certification in dermatology.