Gap Year Internship — Boston Center for Plastic Surgery
Considering medical school or PA school? Start at the top.
Boston Center for Plastic Surgery is one of New England's leading plastic surgery practices, and our Gap Intern program has a proven track record: past interns have gone on to acceptance at medical schools and PA programs across the country. This isn't a waiting-room job — you'll work directly alongside board-certified plastic surgeons and medical dermatologists in a fast-paced clinical setting, gaining hands-on experience that most applicants can only describe secondhand in an interview.
What You'll Do
As the primary clinical assistant in our cosmetic and dermatology clinic, you will:
- Assist plastic surgeons and medical dermatologists during in-office procedures, including neurotoxin injections (Botox/Dysport), dermal fillers, and laser treatments
- Scribe and document in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) during patient visits
- Educate patients on treatments, pre- and post-procedure care, and recovery expectations
- Participate in ongoing clinical and cosmetic research initiatives
- Work closely with a small, experienced clinical team where your contributions are visible and valued
Why This Internship Stands Out
- Mentorship that matters — direct, hands-on mentorship from practicing plastic surgeons and dermatologists, not just observation
- A specialty most applicants never see — deep exposure to aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, an area few pre-med or pre-PA candidates get to experience firsthand
- A track record you can point to — join a program with a documented history of interns matriculating into medical school and PA programs
- A built-in peer network — collaborate with fellow Gap Interns across the APDerm Network of Practices
Benefits
Competitive pay, PTO, sick time, paid holidays, and health, dental, and voluntary benefits — effective on your date of hire.
Position Details
Gap Interns provide direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of the clinician and report to the Practice Manager, working in close collaboration with physicians and clinical staff to deliver high-quality patient care. This role is intended as a 1–3 year position, with the expectation that interns will transition into medical school or a physician assistant program.
This position may require work at multiple locations. Candidates must be able to work/commute to all sites.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but are not limited to:
- Responsible for Scribing/Documenting office visit on computer for clinician.
- Responsible for cross coverage when needed.
- May assist clinical trainer in training new MAs and Gap Interns and retraining current MAs and Gap Interns.
- Ensures that all necessary information and materials are present for clinician prior to the patient visit.
- Receives and communicates information through various processes, including (but not limited to) use of computers, Intranet, e-mail, fax, and documentation in patient’s medical record. Follow HIPAA rules and regulations.
- Ensure that all appropriate equipment is in good working order at the beginning of the day and that adequate supplies are available for patient procedure/visit. Ensure appropriate levels of supplies and inventory for office needs by utilizing the appropriate request system while understanding the importance of cost containment.
- Obtains and electronically records an accurate history of present illness; updates patient problem list, allergies, pharmacy, medication list and history of skin cancer as indicated.
- Instructs and teaches patients after care for surgical and cosmetic procedures. Ensure patients show understanding and document this in the patient’s chart.
- Assist with OSHA daily and monthly checks. Must have the ability to correctly maintain the OSHA log.
- Complete suture inventory and check rooms for expiring inventory.
- Must be willing and able to travel to brand or region practice locations to provide clinical coverage when needed. This includes providing coverage when clinicians are on vacation as well as sick calls and PTO coverage.
- Maintains a ONETeam mindset using the foundation of our core values, the 3Ps: Positivity, Productivity, and Professionalism.
- Support APDerm’s mission and culture of high-quality standards by carrying out applicable policies, procedures and established industry standards, laws and regulations. Examples include adhering to privacy and data protection practices, ensuring a safe workplace, and reporting observed or suspected behavior and actions that do not meet APDerm standards.
- Complete all assigned required training by the deadline including, but not limited the Code of Conduct, Privacy & Data Security, and OSHA.
Clinical Responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Escorts patients to the appropriate room, accurately obtains and records history and chief complaint to practice standards.
- Prepares patient for the appointment based upon the diagnosis, procedure and or practice protocols. Includes proper dress (gowns), proper set ups for the procedure to be performed, etc.
- Performs proper pre-visit procedure under the direction of the clinician prior to the patient’s visit (suture removal, dressing removal).
- Must be willing to learn and perform ancillary services per practice needs, to include phototherapy, xtrac, PDT, etc.
- Assist clinician in educating patients on biologic injection protocols.
- Sterilize and package instruments.
- Ability to assist clinician with preparation of cosmetic procedures.
- Observes and reports any abnormal symptoms or behaviour to appropriate clinician.
- Organizes and prioritizes daily work tasks to ensure the clinicians schedule runs smoothly, and all patient needs are met.
- Knowledge of laser safety and protocols.
- Utilize standard precautions in room preparation and while assisting with procedures/exams.
- Perform appropriate specimen collection (including labelling, ensuring the specimen is in the bottle and practice protocol).
- Records and maintains pathology logbook to ensure that all pathology reports have been properly documented.
- Provides and reviews appropriate instructions to patients regarding procedures or testing.
- Maintain confidentiality and patient rights in interactions with the patient/family and other health care workers.
- Performs suture removals or other procedures as directed by the clinician.
- Performs proper dosing and mixing of medications: Buffered Lidocaine, Kenalog, Sclerotherapy preparations, Botox- Cosmetic & Hyperhidrosis, etc.
- Provided demonstrated competency and supervisory agreement is in place, performs injections of subcutaneous and intramuscular medications.
- Seeks advice from a clinician when needed for treatment adjustment or complications.
- Utilizes team leader or manager as a resource.
Research Responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Lead clinical trials on various topical products and creams.
- Meet with patients at visit to explain guidelines of the study.
- Help to determine if patient meets exclusion or inclusion criteria.
- Provide patients with product and proper paperwork.
- Follow up with patients periodically and record progress of trial with patients.
- Schedule for follow up appointments.
- Take photos of patients for before and after representation.
- Compile final results represented with PowerPoint presentations and/or graphical representation.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree for an accredited college or university.
Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills required to communicate with patients, family members, clinicians, as well as other colleagues in a positive, professional manner.
- Must possess strong problem-solving abilities and analytical skills to ensure patient’s needs are met.
- Must possess excellent computer skills to input and retrieve clinical information.
- Utilize critical thinking and good judgment in performance of tasks.
- Must possess organizational skills and can multitask.
- Must be able to prioritize daily assignment to ensure smooth workflow.
The salary for this role will range from USD $23.00 to 34.50 per hour based on full-time employment. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to years of experience, location, relevant skills, training, education, etc. Certain roles may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation and/or long-term incentives. APDerm supports your life's needs through an extensive offering comprehensive, competitive and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being.
APDerm is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or APDerm policy.
Please email [email protected] if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.
Pay: $23.00 - $34.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
