Program Description

GAP YEAR MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

REQUIREMENTS:

– Candidates must have graduated from a four-year university and be interested in continuing their education in a health professions school (MD, DO, PA, nursing). This position is typically a one or two year commitment, ideal for candidates taking time off between college and the next stage of their education.
– Candidates must be personable and confident as they will be interacting directly with patients.
– Full-time, 40 hours/week.
– Fluent in Portuguese and/or Spanish is a plus, but not required.

Program Description:
Direct clinical experience
– Candidates will be able to hone skills in bedside manner, compassion and empathy in a real clinical setting. They will take medical histories, obtain vital signs, prepare patients for live and telemedicine visits, and assist physicians with minor surgical office procedures. Once trained, candidates will perform breath tests for Helicobacter pylori, lactose intolerance, bacterial overgrowth and fructose intolerance, ultrasound-based tests for bone density and liver fibrosis, and pill camera tests of the small intestine. These procedures are performed independently, offering great educational value to pre-medical students looking to develop strong interpersonal skills in a patient care setting.

Shadowing and mentorship with attending physicians
– Dr. George Dickstein will serve as the primary mentor for the gap year medical assistants. Dr. Dickstein is a board-certified gastroenterologist, Chair of Medicine at MetroWest Medical Center, and both an Associate Clinical Professor and Academic Dean at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he serves on the steering committee of the PA school and admissions committee of the medical school.
– Candidates will have the opportunity to shadow Dr. Dickstein and other physicians in the practice.
– Gap year MAs may also attend the weekly Department of Medicine Grand Rounds or morning report, and Monthly GI Division Conference at MetroWest Medical Center.

Clinical research
– Our team is involved in several clinical trials, and selected candidates will be able to assist with recruiting patients, consenting patients, and conducting clinical study encounters.
– If the physicians are publishing or participating in any additional research studies, the gap year medical students can contribute.

Pathology lab
– Candidates will also spend time assisting the histotechnicians in the Pathology lab, which includes duties such as the following: preparing pathology specimens for grossing, processing tissues for chemical stabilization, assisting with embedding specimens, cover-slipping slides, assisting with H&E and GMS stains, and assisting with cutting embedded tissues.

Additional experiences
– Candidates will learn to arrange patient appointments, communicate with pharmacies, and complete prior authorizations for a wide range of medications.

How to apply:
– Please send a cover letter and updated resume to GDickstein@GastroHealth.com
– We have immediate openings

Location Information: 
475 Franklin St, Suite 110
Framingham, MA 01702