Are you a recent college graduate planning to apply to medical, PA or nursing school and looking for meaningful, real-world clinical experience? Peak Skin Center’s Gap Year Medical Assistant Program offers a paid opportunity to work side-by-side with a board-certified dermatologist and dermatology team in a busy, patient-centered practice in the central North Carolina Triangle. You’ll gain direct exposure to medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology while building the skills, confidence, and insight that will serve you throughout your career in healthcare.

About the Program

Our gap year program is designed for recent graduate pre-professional students between undergraduate and professional school. As a Medical Assistant at Peak Skin Center, you are an integral member of the care team.

You will:

• Work closely with our board-certified dermatologist and/or board-certified, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon during clinic visits and procedures
• Learn how a specialty practice functions day to day
• Develop strong patient communication, documentation, and clinical reasoning skills
• Receive individualized mentorship
• Have opportunities to publish case reports and research studies

This program is ideal for students who want depth, responsibility, and continuity in their clinical experience, rather than short-term shadowing.

What You’ll Do and Learn

As a Gap Year Medical Assistant, you will be trained to support all aspects of patient care, including:

Clinical support and procedures

You’ll prepare patients for visits, room them, review medical histories, assist with full skin examinations, and support procedures such as biopsies, excisions, and Mohs micrographic surgery. You will learn practical skills like setting up and breaking down procedure trays, basic wound care, and post-operative instructions.

Scribing and medical documentation

Working directly in the exam room, you’ll document patient encounters in the electronic medical record, capturing histories, exam findings, assessments, and treatment plans. This gives you invaluable experience in clinical reasoning and medical terminology while streamlining the visit for both patients and providers.

Dermatology foundations

Over the course of the year, you will see a wide range of conditions including acne, psoriasis, eczema, skin cancers, rashes, hair and nail disorders, and more. You’ll gain familiarity with common medications, treatment protocols, and the logic behind diagnostic workups and referrals.

Practice operations and professionalism

You’ll see how a practice operates from scheduling and triage to communication with referring providers. You’ll learn how to work within a team, manage a fast-paced clinic day, and maintain professionalism in challenging situations.

When appropriate, you may also have opportunities to assist with quality improvement projects, patient education materials, or practice initiatives that enhance care delivery.

Who Should Apply?

This program is a great fit if you:

• Are a recent or upcoming college graduate planning to apply to MD, DO, RN, or PA programs
• Can commit for a minimum of one year
• Enjoy working directly with patients in a professional, fast-paced environment
• Are detail-oriented, empathetic, and eager to learn
• Are excited about dermatology or want a strong clinical foundation before choosing a specialty

How to Apply

Admissions are on a rolling, first-come first-served basis with a flexible start date. If you are interested in joining the Peak Skin Center Gap Year Medical Assistant Program, please prepare the following:

• A current resume or CV
• A brief 3-minute video answering the following questions:
  • Why do you want to work at Peak Skin Center?
  • What do you know about our company?
  • What is your ideal work environment?
  • What are your strength?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years, professionally?

Please send your materials to info@peakskincenter.com with the subject line:

“Gap Year Medical Assistant Application – [Your Name]”

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview and may be asked for references.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Career in Medicine

A gap year is a powerful opportunity to grow clinically, professionally, and personally. At Peak Skin Center, we’re honored to help future physicians and PAs gain meaningful experience while contributing to high-quality patient care.

If you’re ready to turn your gap year into a year of real learning and impact, we invite you to apply to the Peak Skin Center Gap Year Medial Assistant Program.