Dermatology NP and PA Training Programs
Many of us working in dermatology have experienced firsthand the incredible opportunity postgraduate dermatology programs offer advanced practice practitioners (APPs). This article highlights eight established training/certificate programs, which range in duration from one to
two years, offer various levels of employment benefits, and require different in-person and/or on-line obligations.
As the director of the Lahey Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Training Program (and a graduate of this program in 2007), I have had the incredible opportunity to help train many dermatology NP colleagues. While each program may have different milestones and training regimens, the
Lahey training program requires that fellows create and present weekly lectures throughout their first year. Additionally, after six months of shadowing, they start seeing patients on their own schedules, initially one-half day per week, and eventually three full days per week by the end of
the second year. Moreover, during the second year, they must also complete a scholarly project. The training culminates with high success on the national Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner exam.
Whether a NP or PA wants to start a career in dermatology with formalized didactic training, or if an APP already established in a dermatology clinic wants to solidify and expand their clinical acumen, these training programs play an important role in increasing access to high-quality dermatology care. In no predetermined order, these programs are summarized based on
information from their websites:
Penn State Health Milton Hershey Medical Center:
One-year program accepts NPs and PAs, which began in 2017. Fellows are hired as full-time employees with benefits and receive two half-day sessions/week for independent study. Grand Rounds presentations and educational conferences are built into the curriculum. Contact Nicole
Boyer at nboyer@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or visit
https://residency.med.psu.edu/programs/apc-
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center:
Two-year NP program created in 2007. It provides structured education and training in medical dermatology. Fellows are hired as full-time employees with benefits. Contact Nicole Bort for more information at nbort@kent.edu or visit:
Medical College of Wisconsin:
One year dermatology fellowship program for NCCPA certified physician assistants. Fellows are hired as full-time employees with benefits. A comprehensive program including clinical training (rotations in adult and surgical dermatology), didactic sessions, core basic science, and grand
rounds. Fellows are hired as full-time employees with benefits. For more information contact Shelly Martin at smartin@mcw.edu.
Lahey Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Training Program:
Two-year program for NPs. Launched in 2003 as the first post-graduate training program for NPs (and the first dermatology NP training program), this is the first and only dermatology NP training program not affiliated with a university to be accredited (August 2022, American Nurses Credentialing Center). Each cohort consists of two NPs who are hired as full-time employees with benefits and are precepted by the Lahey Dermatology faculty (dermatologists and dermatology NPs). The fellows receive didactic training alongside the Harvard Dermatology Residents. Contact Victoria Garcia-Albea, NP at victoria.r.garcia-albea@lahey.org for more
information or visit:
Fellowship Program in Dermatology:
Two-year NP program prefers new graduates or early-career NPs interested in medical dermatology. Per their website, family NP certification is required. Trainees sit for the DCNP exam at the completion of the program. The program is a blend of clinical (80%) and didactic (20%), including side-by-side education with the University of Rochester Medical Center Dermatology Residency Program.
For more information visit:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/dermatology/np-post-graduate-training-program.aspx.
University of California Davis Medical Center:
One-year program open to NPs and PAs. This paid position with no benefits, consists of didactic lectures, clinical time spent with board-certified dermatologists, dermatopathology sessions, surgical skills training, and Grand Rounds. Contact HS-APPFellowship@ucdavis.edu.
SDPA Diplomate Fellowship™️ program:
An all-encompassing, online, didactic training program for practicing dermatology PAs who are members of the Society of Dermatology PAs (SDPA). The full program offers 64.5 hours of AAPA accredited Category 1 CME training. The program includes 22 training modules. The
program was created in conjunction with a core textbook, Dermatology Essentials – 1st Edition by Bolognia et. al. This textbook is used and referenced throughout the program.
Find more details at:
https://www.dermpa.org/page/DiplomateFellowship
Florida Atlantic University Dermatology Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificate:
One-year (three semesters) which includes 140 hours of didactics and 480 hours of clinical work. Students pay tuition and secure their own approved clinical sites and preceptors. Didactics are taught by certified dermatology NPs and board-certified dermatologists. Lectures are usually online, and there are some on-campus sessions. This was the first post-graduate APP
dermatology training program to be accredited (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Florida Board of Nursing (FBON) Accredited Provider). Contact Joseph Lotito at lotitoj@health.fau.edu or visit:
https://nursing.fau.edu/admissions/certificates/dermatology_program.php
Victoria Garcia-Albea, BSN, MSN, RN, PNP, DCNP, is a medical dermatology nurse practitioner at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. She is the director of the Lahey Clinic Dermatology NP Training Program. She spends most of her free time with her husband and two school-aged boys, and volunteers at her public library.