GAP YEAR PROGRAM

Thinking About Taking A Gap Year? 

Join a community of aspiring physicians, PAs, and NPs who are building the foundation for their future medical careers with hands-on experience!

Apply Now

OVERVIEW

What is the Gap Year Medical Assistant Program?

Designed for recent college graduates planning to attend medical school, PA school, or NP programs, our Gap Year Medical Assistant Program offers comprehensive clinical training in a thriving dermatology practice.

This is not an internship or shadowing opportunity; you’ll be a valued, full-time paid employee with real responsibilities and meaningful patient care experience.

Over the course of 1-3 years (flexible based on your own timeline), you’ll gain the clinical skills, confidence, and professional development needed to stand out in your graduate school applications and succeed throughout your medical career.

 

Dr mendese working with medical assistants

What makes the program at DSH different?

Our team offers the opportunity to be part of:

  • A structured curriculum designed specifically for pre-health students
  • Exposure to medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology
  • Direct mentorship from board-certified physicians and highly trained dermatology APPs
  • 500+ patients seen daily across our practice
  • 4,500+ surgical procedures performed annually
  • 7 practice locations across New Hampshire and Massachusetts

This isn’t just a job—it’s a launchpad for your future in medicine.

Why Choose Us For Your Gap Year?

  • Hands-On Clinical Training
    You won’t be sitting on the sidelines. From day one, you’ll take patient histories, present to providers, assist in procedures, and gain real clinical experience that prepares you for the rigors of medical training.
  • Medical, Cosmetic & Surgical Exposure
    Our practice offers the full spectrum of dermatology care. You’ll gain experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic care.
  • Mentorship from Our Providers
    You’ll work alongside experienced dermatologists as well as highly trained dermatology APPs who are invested in your professional growth. Our providers offer guidance on graduate school applications, mock interviews, personal statement reviews, and career planning.
  • Structured Pre-Health Curriculum
    We’ve designed a program that supports your journey to professional school with:
    • Regular educational sessions and skill-building workshops
    • Opportunities to attend provider meetings and case discussions
    • Training in EMR systems, medical documentation, and patient flow management

Qualifications

We seek highly motivated, curious, and hardworking recent college graduates who are committed to a career in medicine. There’s no “right” major, as we value diverse academic backgrounds, but we do look for the following:

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree (biology, chemistry, pre-med, and health sciences backgrounds preferred)
  • Intention to matriculate into a graduate medical program (MD, DO, PA, NP, RN, MBA in healthcare, MPH) within 1-3 years
  • Strong academic performance
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced clinical environment
  • Genuine passion for patient care and medicine

Preferred:

  • Leadership experience (campus organizations, athletics, volunteer work)
  • Prior healthcare exposure (volunteering, shadowing, clinical work)
  • Demonstrated commitment to service and community involvement

Commitment:

  • 12+ month minimum commitment required
  • Full-time availability (Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week)
  • Willingness to work across multiple practice locations as needed

Hear From Previous Gap Year Medical Assistants

  • "My experience has been super rewarding and allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience every day. I have had the opportunity to learn from a wide range of providers, often varying day..."

    "My experience has been super rewarding and allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience every day. I have had the opportunity to learn from a wide range of providers, often varying day to day, who all have different knowledge bases and clinical approaches, as well as different teaching and patient-care styles. Working with a different group of coworkers and in various practices day-to-day also strengthened my ability to adapt and work as a team with any personality in a fast paced dynamic environment, and see a more diverse patient population and clinical scenarios."

    Quinn, Gap Year MA

    Quinn, Gap Year MA

  • "Working at Dermatology and Skin Health has given me an unfiltered perspective of patient care while also allowing me to invest in my applications and personal life before committing to a life..."

    "Working at Dermatology and Skin Health has given me an unfiltered perspective of patient care while also allowing me to invest in my applications and personal life before committing to a life full of medicine. The support and mentorship I received from both the clinical and provider staff made this experience invaluable and left me well prepared to take my next steps in my career.”

    Vituu, Gap Year MA

    Vituu, Gap Year MA

  • "My experience has been the perfect bridge between undergraduate studies and medical school. Having the opportunity to interact directly with patients and support our providers has been instrumental in preparing me for..."

    "My experience has been the perfect bridge between undergraduate studies and medical school. Having the opportunity to interact directly with patients and support our providers has been instrumental in preparing me for a future career as a physician."

    Odey, Gap Year MA

    Odey, Gap Year MA

  • "My experience as a Gap Year Medical Assistant has been truly inspiring. Working alongside passionate providers and a supportive, mentoring team has strengthened my clinical skills and shown me what it means..."

    "My experience as a Gap Year Medical Assistant has been truly inspiring. Working alongside passionate providers and a supportive, mentoring team has strengthened my clinical skills and shown me what it means to care for patients with compassion and excellence. I’m grateful for their guidance and the hands-on learning I’ve gained throughout this journey, which have set a strong example as I pursue my path to becoming a physician."

    Ivy, Gap Year MA

    Ivy, Gap Year MA

  • "The gap year program at DSH has been a great way to spend my time before starting medical school between the supportive environment with colleagues, and endless opportunities to learn. The experience..."

    "The gap year program at DSH has been a great way to spend my time before starting medical school between the supportive environment with colleagues, and endless opportunities to learn. The experience has been truly rewarding and I believe it will make me a compassionate leader in healthcare."

    Morgan, Gap Year MA

    Morgan, Gap Year MA

Where Our Gap Year Team Has Headed Next:

Apply to The Program

The Application Process

BENEFITS

Your Career, Our Commitment

We believe in taking care of the people who take care of our patients. That’s why we offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Professional Development

  • $1,000 stipend toward professional school application fees and testing
  • Letter of recommendation from board-certified physicians
  • Mentorship and training

Financial Benefits

  • Competitive pay
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Employee discounts on spa services and skincare products

Health & Wellness

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • Employee wellness programs

Work-Life Balance

  • Generous paid time off (PTO)
  • Paid holidays, plus floating holidays
  • Flexible scheduling options

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Our Gap Year Program