Hudson Dermatology Gap‑Year Medical Assistant Program
A bridge between the classroom and your future in healthcare
Hudson Dermatology’s Gap-Year Program introduces the next generation of nurses, physician assistants, and physicians to a rewarding path in clinical medicine. As a participant, you’ll receive immersive, hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship from board-certified dermatologists and PAs who are passionate about teaching. You’ll be part of a supportive, close-knit team that’s genuinely invested in your growth, learning, and future success.
Dermatology is one of the most dynamic and fascinating fields in medicine. It’s fast-paced, high-volume, and incredibly diverse, combining elements of medicine, surgery, and aesthetics. You’ll see patients of all ages and help treat everything from common rashes to complex skin cancers to cosmetic concerns. If you’re curious, motivated, and eager to make a real, visible difference, there’s no better place to spend your gap year!
Why a Gap Year at Hudson Dermatology?
We believe in paying it forward
Over the past five years, more than 82.5% of our gap-year MAs have successfully gained admission to medical, PA, or nursing programs. Several have returned to Hudson Dermatology after PA school, which is a testament to our culture of mentorship and professional growth.
At‑a‑Glance
- Practice Scale: Train within the largest physician-owned dermatology practice in New York State, with eight offices and 30+ providers committed to teaching.
- Program Length: Typical tenure 12–24 months, aligned with your application cycle.
- Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare benefits, and a collegial, team-based environment.
- Additional Support: Graduate school applications are expensive. We offer application fee stipends to offset this burden. A uniform stipend is available after 6 months of employment.
What You’ll Learn
- Clinical Reasoning at the Point of Care – Work side by side with dermatologists and PAs during medical, surgical, and cosmetic visits. Assist in biopsies, excisions, Mohs surgeries, and cosmetic procedures. Learn how clinical decisions are made, from diagnosis to treatment planning.
- Procedural Support & Sterile Technique – Get hands-on experience assisting with consultations, biopsies, surgeries, wound care, and post-operative follow-ups while mastering sterile technique and patient safety.
- EMR Fluency & Documentation – Build confidence in documenting patient encounters accurately and efficiently. Learn how multi-provider outpatient care flows in a fast-paced clinical setting.
- Patient Communication & Teamwork – Strengthen your communication skills through direct patient interaction and real-time collaboration with medical assistants, providers, and staff.
- Professional Growth & Reflection – Receive ongoing feedback from mentors, set personal learning goals, and track your experiences in a clinical logbook.
Mentorship & Professional Development
- Longitudinal Mentorship: Each gap-year MA is paired with a faculty mentor (MD/DO/ PA) who provides regular check-ins and structured guidance beyond clinic walls.
- Letters of Recommendation: Providers write detailed, evidence-based recommendations drawn from sustained observation of your work.
- Application Support: Receive coaching on personal statements and interview preparation.
- Research and Publications: For motivated individuals, there are opportunities to publish case reports and initiate research projects.
Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities
- Prepare exam rooms and patients; obtain histories and vitals as directed, filling cryo canisters, setting up biopsy or excision tray, talking to patient in exam room (triaging)
- Scribe provider-directed documentation; manage orders, messages, and follow-up workflows.
- Assist during procedures; provide pre-/post-op instructions; support wound care supplies and instrumentation.
- Coordinate across the care team to maintain clinic flow and an outstanding patient experience.
Locations
Hudson Dermatology offers placements across our Hudson Valley network: Nanuet, Tarrytown, Somers, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Cornwall, Kingston, and Hudson. Assignments are based on practice needs and candidate fit.
Compensations and Benefits
Hudson Dermatology offers competitive salaries, comprehensive healthcare benefits, and a supportive, friendly environment with modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment.
How to Apply
Click Apply Now and submit the brief interest form; our team will follow up with the next steps.
OUR GAP YEAR STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST UNIVERSITIES.
MEET OUR ALUMNI
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Speciality of Interest: Pediatric Neurology
“Working in rural medicine changed my life! Seeing how hard all the providers work to ensure patients get the care they deserve was so inspiring. I’m actually going to do a rural rotation in family medicine for 2 months because I enjoyed working with that patient population so much! Overall, Hudson Dermatology gave me experience working with unique patient populations that you may not encounter in a more urban environment, and it ended up helping me create an amazing personal statement that got me accepted into 7 different medical schools! I highly recommend this opportunity to anyone considering a healthcare career!”
Eastern Virginia Medical School (Class of 2028)
Specialty of interest: Currently exploring anesthesiology and radiology
“My time at Hudson Derm played such a huge role in shaping my path towards medicine, and I learned so much in the process. I’ll always be grateful for the team that I was able to work with, which made every day both fun and meaningful, and really set the tone for how I hope to practice in the future.”
Stony Brook University
Specialty of interest: Anesthesiology
“I loved spending a year with Hudson Derm and getting the hands-on experience caring for such a special patient population. My time at HD allowed me to work alongside providers whom I still view as some of my role models in medicine, even years later.”
CONTACT US TODAY
Contact the Hudson Dermatology team now to set up a consultation in NY. Dutchess, Westchester, Columbia, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange County residents can schedule an appointment via our online scheduler.