Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, from high school to the operating room.
Medical Assistant Training &
Internship Program - San Diego
Your first step into medicine. Train as a Medical Assistant in real San Diego practices. Receive a certificate of completion and the full documentation you need to pursue national MA certification.
What You'll Learn
Clinical Workflow: How a real outpatient practice runs, intake, scheduling, provider hand-off, and post-visit documentation.
Scribing Skills: Shadow scribing under provider supervision, document consultations the way medical students do.
Academic Knowledge: Learn directly from practicing physicians in clinical and academic sessions, including grand rounds.
Clinical Basics: Vital signs under direct supervision, basic physical exam observation, and EMR navigation and structure.
Surgical Exposure: Shadow neurosurgery procedures at top San Diego hospitals.
Beyond the Clinic
Cadaver labs: Hands-on anatomy and dissection sessions.
Suture workshops: Practice core surgical skills.
Grand rounds: Present cases alongside physicians.
Physician dinners & events: Mentorship, networking, and internship events.
What You Get
Complete 160 hours and walk away with your certificate and full documentation.
Strong students will also be considered for a paid intern position.
MA Training Course
Hands-on training in real clinics
Certificate of completion
Physician-signed competency record
Paid Internship
$17.25/hr starting wage
HIPAA & harassment training included
Full documentation package
Promotion path to $30/hr
Real clinical responsibility
Research, cadaver labs, conferences
Pricing
Both schedule options cost the same and include HIPAA training, sexual harassment prevention training, a Teams license, certificate of completion, and full documentation package. Can’t afford it? Read our scholarship section below.
Scholarships & financial assistance
We award scholarships to top performers at the end of their first month. We also consider financial assistance for incoming applicants who show exceptional promise but cannot afford the program fee. If that is you, do not let cost stop you from applying, tell us your story in your letter of interest.
Why choose our internships?
Real clinical experience. Mentorship from practicing physicians. A defined path from your first day of shadowing to your first paid role. Building the skills and confidence that set careers apart.
+150
Interns hosted
+80
Letter of recommendation given
+20
Med School Admissions
What You Receive at Completion
Certificate of Completion — official MSK MSO program certificate
Clinical Exposure Document — activities, hours, specialties, and ratings
Internship
Career Path
For students hired into the paid Internship Program. Promotions are based on performance reviews.
01
STEP 1
Intern
Clinic and surgery tasks, patient care under supervision, and scribing consult notes.
YOU WILL GET PAID
02
STEP 2
Head Intern
Supervise interns, prepare clinic and surgery reports, and keep workflow moving.
YOU WILL GET PAID
03
STEP 3
Lead (Y1)
Oversee clinic and surgery activity, manage scheduling, and run the department.
YOU WILL GET PAID
04
STEP 4
Lead (Y2)
Full-time leadership with weekly performance reporting and rotation across practices.
YOU WILL GET PAID
MIN. 20 HRS / WEEK
Intern
Participate in clinic and surgery tasks
Assist patient care under supervision
Schedule appointments and surgeries
Scribe consult notes
Draft operative reports
Eligible for academic credit
Join research, cadaver labs, conferences
MONTHLY REVIEWS
Head Intern
Supervise and coordinate intern tasks
Prepare clinic and surgery reports
Ensure workflow between departments
Provide leadership to interns
Review consult notes scribed by interns
Review operative report drafts
RAISES EVERY 6 MO
Lead
Oversee all clinic or surgery activity
Manage scheduling and workflow
Ensure department runs efficiently
Present weekly performance reports
Rotate between practices as needed
Full-time commitment
We are a clinical training program, not a certifying body. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and the documentation needed to pursue national MA certification through CCBMA, NHA, AAMA, or AMT, the four boards recognized in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the internship hiring work?
The paid internship is not part of the training program purchase. It is offered to students who consistently score 80% or above across all evaluations and receive a direct recommendation from their supervising provider. Availability also depends on open positions across our partner practices.
How do I qualify for a paid intern position?
To be considered for a paid intern position you need to score 80% or above across all evaluations and receive a recommendation from your supervising provider. Keep in mind that availability depends on open spots at our partner practices; outstanding students are kept in our pipeline until a position opens.
Can I earn academic credit?
This program charges a weekly training fee. Students enrolled for academic credit through their institution are not eligible, as California law does not permit charging fees under that arrangement.
What if I can't afford the fee?
Apply and mention it in your letter of interest. We award scholarships on a case-by-case basis to applicants who demonstrate genuine commitment and financial need.
What is the difference between the scheduling options for the MA Training Program?
The only difference is the weekly time commitment. The year-round schedule requires 12 hours per week, while the summer schedule runs at 20 hours per week, allowing students who are not taking classes to complete the 160 hours more quickly. Pricing, curriculum, certificate, and internship opportunities are the same for both options.
Our Mentors
SDNeurosurgery is Dr. Kevin Yoo’s practice, with 20+ years of experience in San Diego and a holistic approach to advanced spine and brain care. Dr. Yoo and the SDN team deliver personalized treatment using modern techniques and compassionate support from consultation through recovery.
Kevin Yoo, MD
United States
Dr. White provides expert neurosurgical care for brain, spine, and nervous system conditions. The SBNS team delivers personalized treatment using the latest technology to help patients regain health and improve quality of life.
Daniel White, MD
United States
Dr. Kern Brar provides personalized primary care and wellness services. Lien-based urgent care 24/7 for personal injury cases via telemedicine or in-person visits. Dedicated attending physician services for Skilled Nursing Facility patients.
Kern Brar, MD
United States
Dr. Marsh’s Chiropractic Corporation offers comprehensive, team-based care including chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. Their bilingual team provides personalized treatment plans focused on mobility, pain relief, and long-term wellness.
Paul Marsh, D.C., Q.M.E.
United States
What did our interns say?
A structured, hands-on clinical training experience in active San Diego medical practices, designed to prepare you for medical or PA school with real skills, real mentorship, and a clear path to a paid position.
I’ve had a very positive experience interning at the neurosurgery office. The team has been welcoming, professional, and supportive, and I’ve learned a great deal about patient care, clinical workflow, and the importance of communication in a medical setting. I appreciate the opportunity to observe and contribute in such a collaborative environment, and this experience has further strengthened my interest in the healthcare field.
Alexis Taing
Internship
I began my journey at MSK MSO as an MA Trainee, where I was first introduced to the clinical side of healthcare. Over time, I had the opportunity to cross-train across multiple specialties, including primary care, physical therapy, and neurosurgery, which broadened both my clinical knowledge and perspective on patient care. As I continued to grow through these experiences, I was promoted to Intern and now serve as a Head Intern, allowing me to further develop my leadership and mentorship skills.
Through MSK MSO, I have built meaningful connections with numerous physicians and gained unique hands-on experiences, including the opportunity to work in a cadaver lab. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, mentorship, and experiences that MSK MSO has provided me throughout my journey.
Ana McKenna
Internship
I started this internship during the fall semester of my senior year of college, and three years later I now serve as a full-time lead at San Diego Neurosurgery. The experience has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, giving me hands-on exposure through placing pedicle screws in a cadaver lab, joining providers for rounding consults, and scrubbing in for surgeries. I've also grown into a leadership role mentoring interns who were once in the same position I started in, while building close relationships with patients through continuity of care.
This internship offers a unique avenue for students during their gap year to mature while preparing for medical school applications, surrounded by peers facing similar challenges like the MCAT, gaining clinical experience, and navigating the application cycle. As I prepare to apply to medical school this cycle, I can confidently say this internship provided the foundation that strengthened my application, and I would highly recommend it to any student seeking meaningful clinical exposure, mentorship, and growth.
Cameron Patton
Internship
I've been with MSK MSO for the past 9 months, starting as an MA trainee at SDN, and working at SDN has been such a great experience overall. The environment is really supportive and I've had the chance to learn so much by rotating through different specialties like neurosurgery, internal medicine, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.
Being exposed to all these areas has helped me build a strong foundation in patient care and understand how different providers work together to treat patients. I've also developed important skills like communicating with patients, assisting in clinical settings, and thinking more critically in real patient situations. Overall, it's been an amazing learning experience that has really helped me grow and prepare for a future in healthcare.
Nadia Wisal
Internship
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