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5 Physician Assistant (PA) Resume Examples Made for 2024

Physician Assistant Resume

• Physical Assistant Resumes by Experience
• Physician Assistant Resumes by Role
• Write Your Physician Assistant Resume

You perform all kinds of tasks as a licensed clinician or physician assistant (PA), taking care of everything from basic medical procedures under the supervision of a doctor. You might help patients in a variety of settings (including homes and hospice facilities) and specialize in something like injury care or dermatology.

But how do you make a cover letter and resume look as well put-together as you are when you respond to each patient’s unique and changing needs? What skills should you include to show your ability to provide holistic care?

Don’t stress yourself out—we’ve helped many medical professionals over the years, and our five physician assistant resume examples and resume tips can help you settle into your role, too!

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Why this resume works

• While everyone will highlight generic achievements, let your physician assistant resume go a notch higher to detail measurable input to help physicians deliver excellent care and reinforce patient access to services with improved outcomes.

PA School Resume

• Having a credible background will make your application and PA school resume stand out from the crowd and show that you’re well-versed with multiple disorders and understand how to treat them well. Don’t forget to mention what degree you hold in the medical field such as a bachelor’s in health and human Physiology.

PA Student Resume

• Since you’ve got no related experience, projects are also going to help your PA student resume. Add any instances of you volunteering or attending a seminar that covered the importance and role of physician assistants in healthcare.

Physician Assistant New Grad Resume

• Make a strong case for your transferable skills, such as attending to patients on time, improving outcomes, innovating a program to support better care for critically ill patients, and streamlining health records in your physician assistant new grad resume.

Dermatology Physician Assistant  Resume

• The secret for your dermatology physician assistant resume to be irresistible lies in detailing your numbers in problems solved, patients served, and individual initiatives to automate processes to save time, and support teamwork.

Related resume examples

• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Experienced Medical Assistant

Tailor Your Physician Assistant Resume to the Job Requirements

As you can see from our resume examples , different niches beneath the umbrella of physician assistance can (and should!) significantly affect your resume’s build. You don’t want to over-emphasize your general, preventative healthcare skills while applying for a dermatology physician assistant role.

How clerical vs. clinical is the job you’re applying for? Does the job description mention more hands-on stuff like blood drawing and X-rays, or does it focus more on patient records and related programs like Doxy.me and Epic?

Basically: Find what the job description seeks, fill in those gaps whenever your skills match, and you’ll have a nice-looking skills list! You can also look more organized by grouping similar skills together.

Need some inspiration?

15 best physician assistant skills

• Sample Collection
• Patient Records
• Surescripts
• Holistic Diagnosis
• Patient Education
• Preventative Care
• Laboratory Reports
• Attention to Detail
• Injury Care

Your physician assistant work experience bullet points

Those skills are looking good! But don’t make the mistake of assuming that repeating points from the job requirements will be enough to set them off. Go beyond copying job duties that are already listed and leverage your past achievements in your favor instead.

You need strong bullet points that streamline powerful qualifying experiences from your job history, whether those jobs are related to physician assistant roles or not. Highlight your successes with active language and verbs that show the positive impact you left.

And measure that impact, too! Use quantifiable data as metrics for your successful experiences to turn stories into qualifications :

• Use improved recovery percentages
• Mention increased patient satisfaction rates
• Talk about reduced labor hours
• Share how many dollars you saved by organizing medical supplies

See what we mean?

• Decreased patient wait times by an average of 8 minutes through streamlined scheduling and supporting admin work
• Integrated VisualDx into patient skin analysis, resulting in a 24% increase in accurate diagnoses
• Helped community members navigate healthcare systems and schedule appointments, boosting care access feedback ratings to 4.9/5 stars
• Recommended HealthKit for homecare routines, which resulted in a 29% decrease in hospital basic checks like blood sugar and pressure

9 active verbs to start your physician assistant work experience bullet points

• Recommended
• Spearheaded
• Administered
• Streamlined

3 Tips for Writing a Physician Assistant Resume With Limited Experience

• Don’t sweat it if you don’t have tons of previous experience that relates directly to physician assistance. Everyone has to start somewhere, and you can start by looking for job requirements that prior roles fulfilled. Think of how customer service translates to bedside manner or how food inventory monitoring taught you how to maintain the medical supply closet.
• If you had an awesome GPA in a relevant degree (like a Bachelor’s in Physician Assistant Studies), share it! If you took additional classes or earned a state Physician Assistant License, list those too.
• Some applicants don’t have any work experience in the medical field whatsoever—if that’s you, think of any other stuff like internships or projects that relate to duties or roles you’d handle as a physician assistant! Did you ever lead a database project in college or volunteer in a nursing home?

3 Tips for Writing a Physician Assistant Resume if You Already Have Some Experience

• Now that you’ve already got some snazzy physician assistant experiences under your belt, lay them out in reverse-chronological order so that your best achievements sit at the top of the resume. The recruiter will read them first and want more!
• If you feel your resume would benefit from a little intro to tie everything together, go for a resume summary instead of a resume objective . Share a few details of how you’re already qualified to work as an excellent physician assistant—just don’t repeat yourself!
• While it might be tempting to share every relevant job you’ve ever worked, less is more! It’s better to stick with just 3-4 jobs and demonstrate depth of knowledge within each role. You can always discuss more in your physician assistant cover letter or interview.

You’ll do fine! If your resume page still feels sparse after adding your personal info, education, skills, and experiences, you can still add more. Try adding relevant hobbies & interests , and projects that bolster your ability to work in medical assistance.

Don’t leave out basics like your state’s Physician Assistant License, but don’t limit yourself either! If you have specialty certifications in niches like Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery or Hospice Care, include them.

Maybe not! If you have enough qualifying experiences and a notable job history that already aligns with the physician assistant role, there’s no need to rehash things. If your EMR software prowess and contributions to excellent patient recovery rates speak for themselves, let them!

• • Led the development of an institutional assessment protocol that increased the survey response rate by 25% within the first year.
• • Managed a team of analysts to evaluate program outcomes, which resulted in a 15% improvement in student graduation rates.
• • Pioneered a data visualization system that presented complex analysis in an accessible format, leading to actionable insights across departments.
• • Provided consulting and training to faculty on effective assessment practices, yielding a 10% rise in programmatic satisfaction.
• • Designed and implemented a comprehensive exam review system, helping to enhance board pass rates by 8%.
• • Authored in-depth annual reports on program effectiveness, identifying key trends and issuing data-driven recommendations for strategic improvements.
• • Analyzed curriculum outcomes and provided evidence-based feedback leading to the revision of 10+ course syllabi.
• • Streamlined the assessment processes, cutting down reporting time by 30% while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
• • Collaborated across teams to align assessment tools with strategic objectives, enhancing overall program effectiveness.
• • Conducted regular assessment metric reporting to key stakeholders, supporting the college's continuous improvement model.
• • Established benchmarks for program quality, aiding in the consistent achievement of regional accreditation standards.
• • Implemented a new data collection system that improved data accuracy and analysis for program assessments.
• • Played a key role in drafting reports that facilitated a 20% increase in funding for academic initiatives.
• • Provided detailed analysis of student performance data to assist with curriculum development.
• • Coordinated with academic departments to ensure alignment of assessment methods with learning objectives.

5 Physician Assistant Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Ensure your physician assistant resume highlights your extensive medical knowledge. Demonstrate your understanding of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Illustrate your ability to communicate effectively with patients and medical teams. Showcase your clinical experience and adaptability in various healthcare settings.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

Resume Format Tips

Resume Experience

Skills on Resume

Education & Certifications

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

As a physician assistant, one specific resume challenge you may encounter is effectively showcasing your extensive medical knowledge and hands-on patient care experience without overwhelming your potential employer with jargon or excessive detail. Our guide can help you translate your expertise into concise, impactful language that highlights your qualifications and makes your resume stand out to healthcare recruiters.

• The most effective physician assistant resume samples, reflecting on experience and skills.
• +10 simple, yet impactful methods to tailor your physician assistant resume to the job advert.
• Using your professional achievements as the North Star to your unique value as a physician assistant candidate.
• 'No one cares about your education nowadays …' Let's prove this statement wrong with the best-kept industry secrets to your education and certifications.

If the physician assistant resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:

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Physician Assistant resume format made simple

You don't need to go over the top when it comes to creativity in your Physician Assistant resume format .

What recruiters care about more is the legibility of your Physician Assistant resume, alongside the relevancy of your application to the role.

That's why we're presenting you with four simple steps that could help your professional presentation check all the right boxes:

• The reverse-chronological resume format is the one for you, if you happen to have plenty of relevant (and recent) professional experience you'd like to showcase. This format follows a pretty succinct logic and puts the focus on your experience.
• Keep your header simple with your contact details; a headline that details the role you're applying for or your current job; and a link to your portfolio.
• Ensure your resume reaches an up-to-two-page limit, only if you happen to be applying for a more senior role or you have over a decade of relevant experience.
• Save your Physician Assistant resume as a PDF to retain its structure and presentation.

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The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.

The key to your physician assistant job-winning resume - present your expertise with these sections:

• A header to make your resume more scannable
• Snapshot of who you are as a professional with your resume soft skills, achievements, and summary or objective
• Job advert keywords in the skills section of your resume
• Resume experience quantifying your past job successes with metrics
• A relevant education, certification, and technical sills section to provide background to your technological/software capabilities

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Clinical Experience: Details of relevant medical practice settings, procedures performed, and patient care experience.
• State Licensure: Current licensure as a Physician Assistant and any additional certifications (like Basic Life Support or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support).
• Specialization: Areas of medical specialization or focus, such as emergency medicine, surgery, family medicine, or orthopedics.
• Technical Skills: Competency with medical software, electronic health records, and telemedicine platforms.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Examples of working effectively with healthcare teams, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Adding your relevant experience to your physician assistant resume

If you're looking for a way to show recruiters that your expertise is credible, look no further than the resume experience section.

Your physician assistant resume experience can be best curated in a structured, bulleted list detailing the particulars of your career:

• Always integrate metrics of success - what did you actually achieve in the role?
• Scan the physician assistant advert for your dream role in search of keywords in the job requirements - feature those all through your past/current experience;
• Dedicate a bullet (or two) to spotlight your technical capabilities and how you're able to use the particular software/technology in your day-to-day roles;
• Write simple by including your responsibility, a job advert keyword or skill, and a tangible outcome of your success;
• Use the experience section to also define the unique value of working with you in the form of soft skills, relevant feedback, and the company culture you best thrive in.

Industry leaders always ensure that their resume experience section offers an enticing glimpse at their expertise, while telling a career narrative. Explore these sample physician assistant resumes on how to best create your resume experience section.

• Managed care for over 1,200 patients annually in a high-volume urban primary care setting, exceeding patient satisfaction goals by 20%.
• Spearheaded a diabetes management program that improved patient HbA1c control by 25% within the first year.
• Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans, which reduced hospital readmission rates by 15%.
• Performed 500+ successful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in an emergency department setting, improving patient flow efficiency by 30%.
• Led the implementation of a telehealth initiative that served rural patients, increasing access to specialist consultations by 40%.
• Trained and mentored a team of 10+ junior PAs, resulting in enhanced team productivity and reduced error rates.
• Designed and executed a research project on orthopedic surgical outcomes, which was published in a leading medical journal.
• Assisted in over 300 orthopedic surgeries, including complex joint replacements, contributing to a 95% patient satisfaction rate.
• Developed post-operative rehabilitation protocols that decreased average recovery time by 20%
• Conducted comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for over 800 individuals, leading to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.
• Played a pivotal role in forming a crisis intervention program that saw a 50% reduction in involuntary hospitalizations.
• Liaised with community resources to secure ongoing support for patients, drastically improving long-term treatment adherence.
• Oversaw preoperative and postoperative care for pediatric patients in a specialized children’s hospital, improving patient outcomes by 25%.
• Implemented a vaccination outreach program that led to a 15% increase in immunization rates in the community.
• Developed patient education materials that were adopted clinic-wide and praised for enhancing family-centered care.
• Facilitated the care of patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, achieving a 90% rate of treatment adherence through close patient follow-up.
• Contributed to a groundbreaking study on the effects of lifestyle changes on hypertension, which informed clinic practice guidelines.
• Implemented a system for tracking patient outcomes that is now used as a model for other departments in the hospital.
• Optimized electronic medical record usage, leading to a 40% decrease in documentation errors and a 20% increase in billing efficiency.
• Addressed patient care in a multi-specialty clinic setting, seamlessly integrating with different specialty teams to provide comprehensive care.
• Championed a cancer screening program that detected early-stage cancers in 30 patients, allowing for early intervention and improved prognoses.
• Participated in a rural health initiative, extending necessary medical services to over 5,000 underserved patients, increasing community health outcomes by 35%.
• Developed and led a sexual health and education series for teenagers that contributed to a 40% drop in sexually transmitted infections in the participant group.
• Managed acute and chronic medical conditions in an outpatient setting, maintaining a 98% patient retention rate through personalized care.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Detail the number of patients seen daily to demonstrate efficiency and productivity in a fast-paced environment.
• Specify the percentage of patient satisfaction increase you contributed to, showing your commitment to quality patient care.
• Include the number of procedures you are proficient with, illustrating your versatility and technical skill set.
• Mention any reduction in waiting times or system inefficiencies that you helped achieve, evidencing your ability to improve operations.
• Quantify your involvement in training or supervising other staff, indicating leadership and teaching capabilities.
• List any cost-saving measures you implemented or contributed to, reflecting your fiscal responsibility and financial acumen.
• Indicate the volume of lab work or diagnostic tests you've interpreted to demonstrate analytical skills and competence.
• Provide the number of clinical projects or research studies you've been involved with, showcasing your contribution to advancing the field.

Action verbs for your physician assistant resume

No experience, no problem: writing your physician assistant resume

You're quite set on the physician assistant role of your dreams and think your application may add further value to your potential employers. Yet, you have no work experience . Here's how you can curate your resume to substitute your lack of experience:

• Don't list every single role you've had so far, but focus on ones that would align with the job you're applying for
• Include any valid experience in the field - whether it's at research or intern level
• Highlight the soft skills you'd bring about - those personality traits that have an added value to your application
• Focus on your education and certifications, if they make sense for the role.

Recommended reads:

• How to Put Cum Laude on Your Resume
• How to List Continuing Education on Your Resume

Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.

Bringing your physician assistant hard skills and soft skills to the forefront of recruiters' attention

Hard skills are used to define the technological (and software) capacities you have in the industry. Technical skills are easily defined via your certification and expertise.

Soft skills have more to do with your at-work personality and how you prosper within new environments. People skills can be obtained thanks to your whole life experience and are thus a bit more difficult to define.

Why do recruiters care about both types of skills?

Hard skills have more to do with job alignment and the time your new potential employers would have to invest in training you.

Soft skills hint at how well you'd adapt to your new environment, company culture, and task organization.

Fine-tune your resume to reflect on your skills capacities and talents:

• Avoid listing basic requirements (e.g. "Excel"), instead substitute with the specifics of the technology (e.g. "Excel Macros").
• Feature your workplace values and ethics as soft skills to hint at what matters most to you in a new environment.
• Build a separate skills section for your language capabilities, only if it makes sense to the role you're applying for.
• The best way to balance physician assistant hard and soft skills is by building a strengths or achievements section, where you define your outcomes via both types of skills.

There are plenty of skills that could make the cut on your resume.

That's why we've compiled for you some of the most wanted skills by recruiters, so make sure to include the technologies and soft skills that make the most sense to you (and the company you're applying for):

Top skills for your physician assistant resume:

Medical Knowledge

Clinical Skills

Diagnostic Reasoning

Pharmacology

Emergency Care

Patient Assessment

Surgical Assistance

Medical Procedures

Healthcare Management

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Proficiency

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Adaptability

Stress Management

Multitasking

Professionalism

If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.

Qualifying your relevant certifications and education on your physician assistant resume

In recent times, employers have started to favor more and more candidates who have the "right" skill alignment, instead of the "right" education.

But this doesn't mean that recruiters don't care about your certifications .

Dedicate some space on your resume to list degrees and certificates by:

• Including start and end dates to show your time dedication to the industry
• Adding credibility with the institutions' names
• Prioritizing your latest certificates towards the top, hinting at the fact that you're always staying on top of innovations
• If you decide on providing further information, focus on the actual outcomes of your education: the skills you've obtained

If you happen to have a degree or certificate that is irrelevant to the job, you may leave it out.

Some of the most popular certificates for your resume include:

The top 5 certifications for your physician assistant resume:

• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) - Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) - American College of Surgeons (ACS)

If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your physician assistant resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.

• How To List Certifications On A Resume (Examples Included)
• How to List GPA on Your Resume

Best practices to your physician assistant resume summary or objective

To start, how do you know if you should include a resume summary or a resume objective ?

• Resume summaries are ideal for physician assistant professionals with more experience, who'd like to give a quick glimpse of their biggest career achievements in the top one-third of their resumes.
• On the other hand, resume objectives serve as a road map for recruiters. Candidates use the objective to show how their experience aligns with the physician assistant role they're applying for while showcasing the North Star of their career (or where they want to be as a professional in the next couple of years).

The resume summary or resume objective could be the perfect fit for your physician assistant resume. The function of both is to highlight your professionalism succinctly. So, keep your writing specific: include no more than four sentences and target your application to the role. Here's how these specific resume sections help the physician assistant candidates stand out.

Resume summaries for a physician assistant job

• With over 10 years of dedicated experience as a Physician Assistant in a fast-paced urban hospital, I mastered advanced medical procedures and patient management. Successfully initiated a community health outreach program that increased preventive care by 30%.
• As an accomplished research scientist with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and 5 years in a biomedical lab, I have a profound foundation in clinical research. I now seek to apply my analytical skills and deep knowledge of human biology to a patient-focused Physician Assistant career.
• Seasoned paramedic with extensive emergency response expertise, including 8 years of on-field experience. Pursuing a new direction as a Physician Assistant with a commitment to applying my swift decision-making skills and medical knowledge to enhance patient care in a clinical setting.
• A freshly certified Physician Assistant, I bring a refreshing blend of youthful enthusiasm and recent, cutting-edge medical training. Eagerness to leverage new technologies and methods to improve patient outcomes and workflow efficiency in a clinical environment.
• Eager to launch a medical career that makes a real difference, I am an aspiring Physician Assistant bringing a strong educational background in health sciences and unwavering commitment to learning from seasoned professionals in a hands-on clinical role.
• Recent graduate with a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies, ready to bring my passion for medicine, a meticulous attention to detail, and a desire to contribute to a team dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care and advancing community health initiatives.

More sections to ensure your physician assistant resume stands out

If you're looking for additional ways to ensure your physician assistant application gets noticed, then invest in supplementing your resume with extra sections, like:

• Publications;

These supplementary resume sections show your technical aptitude (with particular technologies and software) and your people skills (gained even outside of work).

Key takeaways

We've reached the end of our physician assistant resume guide and hope this information has been useful. As a summary of our key points:

• Always assess the job advert for relevant requirements and integrate those buzzwords across various sections of your physician assistant resume by presenting tangible metrics of success;
• Quantify your hard skills in your certificates and skills section, while your soft skills in your resume achievements section;
• Ensure you've added additional relevant experience items, such as extracurricular activities and projects you've participated in or led;
• Use both your resume experience and summary to focus on what matters the most to the role: including your technical, character, and cultural fit for the company.

Looking to build your own Physician Assistant resume?

• Resume Examples

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Physician Assistant Resume: Samples and Writing Guide

A physician assistant resume is essential for applying for PA jobs. Whether you are just graduating from a Physician Assistant program having completed all the PA school requirements or looking for a new position, you will need to prepare the perfect resume to impress your employers! In this article, we talk about how you can create a strong physician assistant resume and discuss what sections you should include. Next, we will give you some tips on how you can make your resume stand out. We will conclude by demonstrating three examples to help you get started on your own resume. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 11 min read

What is a physician assistant resume.

Physician assistant resume is a brief outline which demonstrates your background and elaborates on what makes you qualified to become a PA. The role of your physician assistant resume is to present your skills and experiences to show that you are the right person for the job. 

The best format for a physician assistant resume is a reverse chronological format. This format presents your experiences and qualifications starting with the most recent ones. The recruiters can look at your resume to understand your professional progress and the skills that you have learned over the years. The reverse chronological order is applicable for all the sections in your resume, such as work experience, education, certifications, or awards. Start your resume by mentioning your latest endeavor and move to the previous ones.

What Should be Included in a Physician Assistant Resume?

The key elements to a successful physician assistant resume are clinical experience, education, and certifications. You should be able to convey your potential by effectively summarizing your abilities, expertise, and achievements. Remember, your education and previous experience demonstrates that you have acquired comprehensive knowledge as a physician assistant. The inclusion of specific medical skills at this point highlights your capability to provide optimal diagnostic and therapeutic patient care and work in cooperation with a physician. So, you should include the following sections in your physician assistant resume:

Name and contact information

Your name should be on the top of your physician assistant resume. Below that, you should add your current contact information. Whenever you apply for a physician assistant position, the recruiter needs enough time for the initial screening of your application. After the initial screening, if they find you suitable for the job, they will reach out to you via email or a phone call, so include those on your resume. Additionally, you must include your physical address, website, and LinkedIn profile. These details make your contact information complete.

Resume objective

The next section of your resume should mention your objective. A physician assistant resume objective will convey your interest in the position while highlighting your most important skills. To write the perfect resume objective, you must mention your areas of expertise and a few keywords from the job description. Take a look at the example below,

Professional NCCPA-certified physician assistant with 2+ years of expertise in treating 200+ patients in traumatic injuries and orthopedic emergencies. Seeking to provide quality health care as the next physician assistant at City General Hospital.

Your past work experience demonstrates your capabilities in working with patients. Mention the names of all the previous organizations where you have worked and the duration of your tenure. If you are an experienced candidate, start with your latest position and go in reverse chronological order to your first position.

If you are a candidate with no previous experience and are starting afresh, you can list any clinical work experience you may have (including rotations), as well as your volunteering and shadowing experiences. You can also mention your research experience if it demonstrates the skills suitable for a physician assistant job.

Lastly, you can also enlist your non-healthcare jobs if the skills you learned in these positions will help you as a physician assistant.

For example, if you worked as a part-time administrative assistant in an office, then you can mention skills such as:

You will be building connections with patients and other staff members in a hospital, so communication skills are necessary for a physician assistant. ","label":"Communication skills","title":"Communication skills"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

You must have studied for several years to get formal training to become a physician assistant. Mention the names of those degrees and the educational institutions in your resume. The education section of your resume proves your formal qualification and the history of your association with the field. If you achieved an impressive GPA, include that in your resume. Your education section should start with the latest qualification and move to the earliest one, usually your Bachelor's degree, in reverse chronological order.

A separate section for skills in your physician assistant resume better demonstrates your competency for the job. This section should include hard and soft skills not highlighted previously in your resume. If you have a specialization, use this section to build a coherent picture of your profile. Format this section in bullet points and select shorter skills to list.

Certifications

You must have earned your physical assistant certification after completing your studies. Similarly, there are some additional certifications that PAs can complete, such as Emergency Medicine, Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA), Basic Life Support (BLS), and more. You can list all your certifications in this section.

This section of your resume highlights your accolades and accomplishments in your previous positions. Additionally, you can mention academic achievements such as grants, bursaries, awards, and honors from your institution in this section. These achievements show that you have been an exceptional performer at your job as a physician assistant and have a probability of performing better than the other candidates.

Publications

Since you have completed your studies in the field of medicine, there are chances that you would have participated in research during your master's program or outside your academics. If you have a published paper in any related area, you should mention that in your resume as it enhances your profile as a medical professional. Write the title of your publication, the publishing journal, and the year.

Top Skills for Physician Assistant Resume

Listing your skills on your physician assistant resume can directly impact your progress in the hiring process. Most healthcare institutions use an Applicant Tracking System for shortlisting resumes due to the huge volume of resumes received. Even if an ATS system is not in the picture, you need to provide the hiring manager with specific information about what differentiates you from other candidates.

Interested in a quick summary of this next section? Check out this infographic:

As you draft your resume tailored for the specific role of a physician assistant, you must integrate your skills within the description of your previous responsibilities and in the separate section for skills. Some essential skills to put in your resume are:

Patient care

Patient care skills demonstrate your ability to assist in the treatment of patients. You should know how to conduct patient interviews, understand their history, conduct physical examinations to diagnose problems, and provide a prescription. 

Documentation

These skills describe your ability to provide a written record of the examinations and patient interviews you conduct to aid the physician in understanding the patient's case better.

Medical examination and diagnostics

As a physician assistant, you would often conduct an initial examination of the patient. Thus, it is vital to demonstrate sufficient medical know-how for accurate diagnosis. 

Treatment planning

Physician assistants chart the treatment plan for the patients in collaboration with the physician and nurses. So, you must know how to plan out necessary medications, diagnostic tests, and dietary recommendations.

Basic Life Support and ACLS

It is a good-to-have skill for a physician assistant because it demonstrates a strong foundation in healthcare for working in a hospital setting and dealing with critically ill patients.

Communication skills and collaboration

These skills show that you can work along with doctors and nurses to provide the best treatment for the patients. Interpersonal skills allow you to connect with your patients and help the physician to understand their cases better.

Tips to Make Your Physician Assistant Resume Stand Out

Just like a medical school resume or a research resume , there needs to be something unique about your physician assistant resume to get your profile noticed by recruiters. Here are some actionable tips to help you make your physician assistant resume appealing:

Ideal length of your resume

A one-page resume is ideally enough to showcase your potential as a qualified candidate. With this standard practice in mind, you can trim your information so that it does not exceed a single page. Ask yourself, "Can I tell my story in fewer words?"

Omit unnecessary details that do not highlight your achievements while writing your job responsibilities. Similarly, do not mention activities of little impact if you have a rich experience. You can also combine two sections if both convey similar information.

Formatting guidelines

You should use a simple design for your physician assistant resume. Choose a basic modern font, like Arial or Calibri, with a font size between 10-12 and appropriate spacing. Your goal here should be to improve the readability of your resume. Lastly, focus on giving your resume a consistent flow.

Resume without work experience

We have already emphasized that you can create a stellar resume even without formal paid work experience as a PA. You can mention relevant and transferrable skills gained from academic projects and volunteering experience or your part-time job. Also, make sure to explain your skills and suitability in your cover letter to strengthen your chances of selection.

Quantify your experience

It is no secret that the presence of numbers on your resume makes it stand out in the eyes of the hiring manager. But how should you get started on adding figures and data to your resume? Think of the answers to the following questions:

How many team members did you train? "}]">

Demonstrate your soft skills through your job responsibilities for a stronger resume. Using fancy jargon will not take your resume anywhere; instead, convey your characteristics in bullet points. Take a look at the below example:

Collaborated with senior specialists and sought feedback to build an initial diagnosis process that reduced patient waiting time by 50%.

This helps the hiring manager in understanding that you had efficient communication with your senior team members and can work well in a team.

Make use of keywords

The major purpose of adding keywords to your resume is to get through applicant tracking systems. Besides, you can also make sure that you personalize your resume appropriately as per the job. To do this correctly, read the job description once again and select words from the job responsibilities which are unique to that job. Sure, it does take a lot of time to customize your resume for each job that you apply for, but it improves the quality of your application.

Set time aside for proofreading

Make sure that your resume does not have any typos or grammatical mistakes. Give a logical flow to your sentences to improve your writing. If you wish, let a peer review your resume for you because the opinion of an unbiased eye will bring another perspective to it. They can also analyze your work critically to suggest changes and recommendations from a neutral point of view.

Would you be interested in transitioning from a PA to an MD? This video is for you:

Physician Assistant Resume Examples

Natalie Parker

777-666-9999 • [email protected] • linkedin.com/nataliepkr • heyitsnat.com 

Highly driven NCCPA board-certified physician assistant with 2 years of experience in a professional healthcare setting. Experienced with family medicine and urgent care; treated over 200 patients. Seeking a position to leverage patient care skills for a better impact on the day-to-day operations of the healthcare institution.

Work Experience

City General Hospital

Physician Assistant, 20XX- 20XX

• Assisted in providing personalized care to patients with a patient satisfaction rate of 98%.
• Implemented lean medical principles for reducing costs for supplies by 20%.
• Introduced software X for patient data management and improving process efficiency by 60%.
• Contributed to a 5% boost in Hospital CAHPS score for 20XX through collaborative working with physicians, nurses, and other PAs.

Lily Collins Memorial Hospital

Junior Physician Assistant, 20XX-20XX

• Completed documentation for medical records with 100% accuracy for 90 patients over X months.
• Improved the patient interview process to reduce patient waiting time by 40%.
• Performed physical examinations for initial screening and diagnosed basic issues with 95% accuracy.
• Assisted senior physicians with patient treatment planning for 25 patients every month.
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies

St. Paul University, 20XX-20XX

Bachelor of Science (Biology)

University of Greensville, 20XX-20XX

• Basic Life Support
• Employee of the Month, City General Hospital, Month 20XX

Jeffery Brown

999-888-7777| [email protected] | linkedin.com/brown-jeffery

Graduate physician assistant with NCCPA certification, skilled in diagnosis and treatment of diverse diseases. Seeking a position to deliver patient-centered care in an outpatient environment to gain exposure for polishing my capabilities while supporting the institution's mission and goals.

Core Skills

• Diagnostic testing
• Medical history assessment
• Prescription planning
• Clinical nutrition
• Electronic health record

Clinical Experience

Starlight Clinic, Square City

PA Intern, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Active participation in caregiving for 45-50 patients, including assisting in the diagnosis of diseases through clinical tests. 
• Interviewed 3-4 patients daily while recording medical history with 100% accuracy. 
• Trained and mentored 2 new interns for X months after spending X months developing a training plan.
• Assisted in X-Ray procedure for 100% surgical accuracy. 

Research Experience

University of Medical Sciences, Square City

Research Assistant- Biology Lab, Month 20XX-Month 20XX

• Responsible for identification of cell changes and determination of cell counts on hemocytometers with 99% accuracy.
• Implemented a new process for the isolation of RNA, DNA, and protein using ECL staining that improved analysis time by 40%.
• Provided mentorship and feedback to 150 students from junior year.

Non-clinical Work Experience

Bath and Spa Needs, Tucker Road, Square City

Store Assistant, Month 20XX- Month 20XX

• Exceeded sales targets for quarter X of 20XX by 65%.
• Collaborated with retail experts on product presentations to improve in-store customer engagement by 20%.

Square City University, 20XX-20XX, 3.9 GPA

• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Square City Community College, 20XX-20XX, 3.8 GPA

Research Publications

An analysis of the impact of Ischemia on cardiac cells through TNT-mediated communication

Journal of Cell Biology, Month 20XX

• Intern of the Month, Starlight Clinic, Month 20XX
• Sales Superstar- Summer 20XX, Bath and Spa Needs, Month 20XX

Christine Arthur

888-888-7777

99, Fairclough Avenue, River City

[email protected]

linkedin.com/a.christine

Competent NCCPA-certified physician assistant with 5+ years of experience in intensive care and surgery. Successful treatment of 1200+ patients till date. Seeking a position as a physician assistant to utilize diagnostics and treatment skills for patients with respiratory and cardiac conditions.

River City Specialty Hospital

Physician Assistant, Month 20XX- Present

• Executed diagnostic tests and X-ray for analyzing current health conditions of patients with lung issues and detected underlying issues with 95% accuracy.
• Handled 150+ cases every year as an active member of the Rapid Response Team.
• Managed and undertook the responsibility for 4 different tasks simultaneously in the Intensive Care Unit. 
• Analyzed ABG results with 100% accuracy for patients on ventilators and BiPAP.
• Optimized the insertion and removal procedures of feeding tubes, arterial punctures, and peripheral IVs, to reduce the time spent on individual patients for every nurse by 20%.
• Devised treatment plans for post-surgery patients that shortened recovery time by 30%.
• Provided care for 100 patients every month, with a positive feedback rate of 98%.
• Managed a team of 5 junior physician assistants for X months.

Long River Hospital

Physician Assistant, Month 20XX-Month 20XX

• Assisted pulmonologists and cardiologists in initial testing with 97% accuracy.
• Improved the management of rotational shifts and reduced over-time requirements by 20%.
• Evaluated laboratory imaging results with 99% accuracy.
• Collaborated with senior physicians and nurses to optimize team workflow by 60%.

River City University, 20XX-20XX

• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• ABG interruption                                                       
• Insertion of venous devices
• Ultrasound guidance

You should include your contact information, previous work experience, education details, skills, awards, certifications and publications in your physician assistant resume.

Your physician assistant resume should be one page long. Do not stretch it to two or three pages as the recruiter might lose interest in your application altogether. 

Some skills to list on a physician assistant resume are examination and diagnosis of patients, patient interviews, writing prescriptions, treatment planning, and long-term care.

Just like a physician resume , a reverse chronological format is the best for a physician assistant resume. A reverse chronological format presents your experience in an arranged order from the latest to the oldest relevant experience.

Both professions have their own perks and challenges. However, when it comes to PA vs MD , physician assistants experience high levels of job satisfaction and work-life balance for a lesser tuition fee and more opportunities to switch specializations rather than doctors. You can even opt for a transition from PA to MD if you wish later on.

You should use a clear font style for your resume. Use a font size between 10 and 12 points to improve readability. Use enough white spaces to make your resume appear clean.

While a resume is not essential under the CASPA requirements, individual programs might likely list out the requirements for a PA program. You might be required to submit a physician assistant school resume along with other application components such as a PA personal statement and CASPA letters of recommendation .

You can opt for physician assistant school help services to get assistance with CASPer preparation, physician assistant school applications and to prepare for PA school interview questions .

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Physician Assistant Resume Examples (Template & 20+ Tips)

Create a standout physician assistant resume with our online platform. browse professional templates for all levels and specialties. land your dream role today.

Looking for a strong example of a Physician Assistant resume? Look no further. A Physician Assistant (PA) plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry by assisting physicians in providing patient care. Our resume example will showcase the skills, qualifications, and experience needed to excel in this role. Whether you're a seasoned PA or a recent graduate, our sample resume can help you stand out in the competitive job market.

We will cover:

• How to write a resume , no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a resume to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder .
• Why you should use a resume template

What does a Physician Assistant do?

• Obtain and record patient histories
• Perform physical exams and diagnose illnesses
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Develop treatment plans and prescribe medications
• Counsel patients on preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices
• Assist in surgery and other medical procedures
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care
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What are some responsibilities of a Physician Assistant?

• Conducting physical exams and taking medical histories
• Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
• Counseling and educating patients on healthcare
• Prescribing medications
• Assisting in surgeries and procedures
• Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare professionals
• Monitoring and recording patient progress
• Providing preventive healthcare services
• Assisting with administrative tasks such as patient scheduling and record keeping

Sample Physician Assistant Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details

• Name: John Smith
• Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 123-456-7890

John Smith is a dedicated and compassionate Physician Assistant with over 5 years of experience in providing high-quality healthcare to patients. He is skilled in conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Work Experience

• Physician Assistant - ABC Medical Clinic, Anytown, USA June 2017 - Present
• Physician Assistant (Internship) - XYZ Hospital, Cityville, USA January 2015 - May 2017
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies University of ABC, Anytown, USA Graduated: May 2015
• Bachelor of Science in Biology XYZ University, Cityville, USA Graduated: May 2013
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in conducting physical exams and medical history assessments
• Strong diagnostic and treatment abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals

Certifications

• Physician Assistant National Certification (PAN-C)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Fluent in English
• Proficient in Spanish

Resume tips for Physician Assistant

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Physician Assistant resume tips. We collected the best tips from seasoned Physician Assistant - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

• Highlight your relevant experience and skills at the top of your resume
• Include any special certifications or additional training you have completed
• Showcase your ability to work with a diverse range of patients and medical conditions
• Emphasize your strong communication and collaboration skills with other healthcare professionals
• Quantify your accomplishments using specific numbers or percentages when possible

Physician Assistant Resume Summary Examples

Whether you choose to include a resume summary or resume objective on your physician assistant resume, this section allows you to highlight your skills, experience, and career goals in a concise and impactful manner. A well-crafted summary or objective can help grab the attention of potential employers and give them a clear understanding of your qualifications and what you can offer to their practice or organization. For Example:

• Highly skilled Physician Assistant with 5 years of experience in family medicine
• Proven ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions
• Proficient in EMR systems and patient education
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Dedicated to providing compassionate and quality care to patients

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Physician Assistant Resume

Building a strong experience section for a physician assistant resume is crucial as it showcases the candidate's past work history, skills, and expertise in the field. A well-detailed experience section can help employers gauge the candidate's abilities, level of experience, and suitability for the position. It provides valuable insight into the candidate's work performance, patient care experience, and medical knowledge, helping them stand out among other applicants. For Example:

• Completed a 12-month clinical rotation in family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
• Assisted in surgical procedures and minor surgeries under the supervision of a licensed physician.
• Performed physical examinations and health assessments on pediatric and adult patients.
• Collected and interpreted patient histories, including family and social history, and presenting symptoms.
• Ordered and interpreted diagnostic tests such as X-rays, EKGs, and laboratory tests.
• Developed treatment plans and prescribed medications in accordance with state regulations.
• Provided patient education on chronic disease management and preventive care measures.
• Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care and treatment plans.
• Documented patient encounters and maintained accurate and up-to-date medical records.
• Collaborated with supervising physicians to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients.

Physician Assistant resume education example

A Physician Assistant typically needs a master's degree from an accredited PA program. These programs generally require at least two years of full-time study, including classroom instruction and clinical rotations. Prior to applying for a PA program, candidates must have a bachelor's degree and some healthcare experience, such as working as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, medical assistant, or similar role. Upon completion of their education, PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) to become licensed. Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Physician Assistant resume:

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies, XYZ University, Anytown, USA
• Bachelor of Science in Biology, ABC College, Anytown, USA

Physician Assistant Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a Physician Assistant Resume is important because it showcases the candidate's abilities and qualifications to potential employers. It helps the hiring team to quickly identify if the candidate has the necessary skills to perform the job effectively. Additionally, including skills on the resume can demonstrate the candidate's expertise in specific areas and set them apart from other applicants. Soft Skills:

• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Organization
• Critical thinking
• Interpersonal skills
• Diagnostic Testing
• Surgical Assisting
• Medication Management
• Emergency Care
• Medical Coding
• Medical Suturing
• Ordering Imaging
• Interpreting Lab Results
• Patient Education
• Medical Charting

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Physician Assistant Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

• Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
• Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
• Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
• Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
• Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
• Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
• Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Physician Assistant resume

• Include a career objective or summary statement at the top of your resume
• Showcase relevant clinical experience, including specialties and settings
• Highlight any certifications, licenses, or specialized training
• Emphasize strong communication and teamwork skills
• Detail experience with electronic health records and other technical skills
• Show evidence of continuing education and professional development
• Include any leadership or mentorship roles
• List any research or publications relevant to the medical field
• Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate impact and success in previous roles
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all information, including education and employment history

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Physician Assistant Resume Examples

Use an example Physician Assistant Resume to make a great first impression

PA Resume Samples

1. Candidate seeking Physician Assistant role

Experienced, certified Physician Assistant with extensive educational background and 3 years experience in pediatric practice.

• Proficient in pediatric patient care
• Provided high-quality patient care by performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Analyzed and interpreted patient Lab Results and suggested course of treatment
• Effectively handled emergency situations with a calm and confident demeanor

Physician Assistant Resume Vocabulary & Writing Tips

Nowadays, it’s common for hiring managers to filter resumes using search software. The software normally scans for  specific resume keywords  that are of interest to the job. It’s a good idea to brainstorm relevant keywords in order to pass the criteria of the search engine.

Once a hiring manager takes a look at your application, including  powerful and relevant resume keywords  also increase the likelihood that you’ll be considered for the job.

Words to Use

• Patient Care
• Lab Results
• Test Results
• Confidentiality
• Medications
• Patient Records
• Appointments
• Bedside Manner

Action Verbs

• Communicate

Physician Assistant Resume Tips and Ideas

Physician assistants serve an important role in the  medical profession . The role includes duties such as diagnosis, examinations, and even treatment of patients in a medical practice. The difference between a physician assistant and a doctor is that a physician assistant is always  working alongside a licensed doctor . However, the day to day activities of a physician assistant will be interesting to anyone who has studied medicine and is dedicated to helping patients.

The job of a physician assistant can be extremely rewarding and is a well-respected profession. Therefore, the  profession is also highly competitive . As a physician assistant, you can choose to work in a private practice, large hospital, or even work internationally.

Of course, becoming a physician assistant requires a lot of  education and training . When applying for a physician’s assistant job, relevant experience and the appropriate degrees and certifications are extremely important.

A typical  physician’s assistant resume should include Work Experience, Education & Certifications, and Skills . As always, be sure that your resume matches the requirements put forth by the job description. Check industry requirements to verify that your education and experience fit with the expectations for a physician assistant.

• For Physician Assistants, a traditional reverse chronological resume format is preferred
• For candidates with a blend of Work Experience, Education, and Skills, a combination resume format will also suffice
• Use a free online  resume template  to get started with a professional and clean resume
• Content spacing and organization
• Clear titles
• Eye-catching but professional color scheme

Not recommended

• Contact information
• Career objective

Work experience

• Education and Certifications
• Volunteer Experience
• Honors and Awards
• Publications

Resume Length

1 x Letter Page – 8.5” x 11”

A  reverse chronological format  is an  industry-standard resume format  which will make it easy for the hiring manager to understand your profile. It also allows you to divide your qualifications into different sections and highlight your most recent achievements.

If you don’t have as much previous experience, it is also possible to use a  combination format . This  resume format focuses more on the resume skills  and experiences that are directly relevant for the job. For example, if you have a blend of volunteer work, educational programs, as well as some paid work, the combination resume format will work for you.

Regardless of which resume format you choose, remember to always be concise. Each word on your resume takes up valuable space.  Only include relevant experience  for the job and if something doesn’t enhance your profile, you can leave it out.

To make sure you have a clean and professional resume format, use one of our  resume templates . This will ensure that you are setting a great first impression for your future employer.

Resume design is important in that it helps the reader easily scan the document. A hiring manager may receive dozens of resumes a day, so you want your resume to be as clear as possible.

You can  use different design elements , like bold fonts, shading, or text boxes. However, be careful to not over-style the resume. Hiring managers will be looking for  professional and organized resumes , since these are also the characteristics of a great physician assistant.

It’s a good idea to scan through  example resumes  templates to take the hard work out of designing a great resume.

In the US,  photos are not expected on a resume  and may even prevent you from getting a job. However, there are certain places outside of the US where a photo is standard. Always check the cultural norms for resumes depending on where you are applying.

Sections of a Physician Assistant Resume

Use sections on your resume to organize all the information about your experience.

For a Physician Assistant, the following sections are standard:

• Objective statement
• Work history

You can include some optional sections if they are relevant and interesting, including:

A resume should be  as concise as possible . There will be time to elaborate on your experience during the interview phase. But if your resume is not easy to quickly understand, you may not get to this phase.

Even for people with over 10 years of experience, most resumes should be one page. This ensures that only the most important information is presented to the hiring manager. If you find yourself being redundant, think about how you might be able to reformat your resume.

Physician Assistant Resume Section Headings

The  sections on a resume for a physician assistant  should be Work Experience, Education, Certifications, and Skills.

Normally, the work experience section should be at the top of the resume. However, you can change the order in which the sections appear depending on your unique profile. For example, if you have recently completed your education, the education section should come before the work experience.

Be sure to include details about any  professional experience  you have gained. This includes  internships and unpaid experience  that occurred outside of your years of study. Always refer to the job description to get an understanding of the most relevant type of work experience.

Experience in the medical field should be most prominent , with a focus on patient interaction, diagnosis, and treatment. Most physician assistants already have practical experience either as an EMT, paramedic, or nurse. Be sure to include details about your responsibilities and achievements related to these positions.

The  skills section  is the place to  list proficiency with particular tools, programs, or notable achievements . You can also list soft skills in this section but try to back these up with tangible examples. If it is possible to quantify your skills in any way, include that in this section.

Particularly with physician assistants, the  education section  is very important. You need to have the right qualifications in order to even be considered for the job. Most physician assistants have an  undergraduate degree in the medical field . Some go on to complete a physician assistant master’s degree.

Include any and all certifications and training courses that are up to date, such as  CPR or EMT training courses . If you are just starting out in your career, you can build out your education section by including courses, projects, or publications that you completed during your education.

As always,  only include relevant educational background and certifications . There is no need to create a complete list of every certification course that you have completed.

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Physician Assistants: The New Doctor-Nurse Hybrid

As a step towards regulating the influx of patients, there has been a significant increase in physician assistants as additions to doctors when it comes to patient care.

Not to confuse with physician’s assistants, physician assistants are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medications.

So what do physician assistant recruiters look out for and how do you nail down a professional-looking physician assistant resume?

Here's a summary of the physician assistant resume blog to give you a slight head-start:

• Choose the reverse chronological format to pass the ATS, and to win over the recruiters
• Your resume summary should have under 4 lines of short sentences
• In your work experience section, provide achievement figures in one-liners
• Highlight your education section if you think it’ll be of particular interest to the recruiter
• Mention your certifying examination in the certifications section in your physician assistant resume

As an aspiring physician assistant, do you doubt your abilities to make a good physician assistant resume? Do the questions below ring constantly in your head?

Is a Nurse Practitioner Above a Physician Assistant?

What is an ats compliant physician assistant resume, which resume format do you pick for your physician assistant resume.

• What Personal Information Should You Add to Your Physician Assistant Resume?
• How Do You Craft Your Physician Assistant Resume Summary?
• How Does the Professional Experience Section Look in a Physician Assistant Resume?
• How Should You Draft a Physician Assistant Resume for New Graduates?
• How Do You Put NCCPA on a Physician Assistant Resume?
• What Constitutes an Outstanding Physician Assistant Cover Letter?

We'll be your guide to having a bomb PA resume!

Or, you could leave it to our Online Resume Builder to get a perfect resume for physician assistants that match your job description.

Is Physician Assistant a Good Career?

The U.S. News and World Report ranked physician assistant as second and third in best jobs overall in its 2023 ranking on best health-care jobs.

By ensuring proper delegation of work, a physician in collaboration with a physician assistant is better equipped to deal with a fast-paced environment, than the traditional practice of nurses and doctors.

SOURCE : AAPA

Since physician assistants go through separate training and education, they can diagnose and treat patients on their own. Physician assistant jobs have seen a significant rise in recent years because of that alone.

Physician Assistant Job Description

Even though there is a distinction between a physician and a physician assistant, they can carry out all duties a physician would. ExploreHealthCareers say that their role extends to duties such as:

• Take medical histories
• Perform physical exams
• Order and interpret laboratory tests
• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Prescribe medications
• Counsel patients
• Assist in surgery
• Set fractures

Physician assistant jobs are not restricted to primary care but extend to surgical and sub-specialities. They usually work in comfortable environments, unless in surgery, which would mean long work hours.

The post of a physician assistant can be confusing to some as their roles merge between that of a doctor and a nurse or a nurse practitioner.

While doctors have a separate and elaborate process, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are similar to Physician Assistants (PAs) in many ways.

The two factors that differentiate them are:

• Physician assistants usually belong to the general medicine category but nurses must choose their field, like paediatrics or physiotherapy.
• Physician assistants attend training programs modeled on medical school education but nurses have a separate Advanced Practice of Nursing to function as one.

What Does It Take to Be a Physician Assistant?

Physician assistant jobs require a higher degree of qualification since they work directly with patients.

To practice as a physician assistant, you must:

• Graduate from an accredited PA program
• Pass the national certification exam
• Obtain a license in the state you wish to practice
• Participation in supervised clinical training in one or more areas of medicine

Here's a list of PA programs by the Physician Assistant Education Association, updated in May each year to compare admission criteria and choose a program.

Physician Assistant Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 31% job growth rate for physician assistant jobs through 2029.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also says that physician assistant jobs earn an average salary of USD 116K annually.
• Indeed says that physician assistant jobs bag an annual salary of USD 108K.
• Whereas other websites like PayScale argue that physician assistants make an average of USD 99K per year.

As a solution to the extensive recruiting process for any established company, The Applicant Tracking System or ATS works to cut down the time by a chunk.

The ATS screens the whole load of resumes that the recruiter receives, and scans them for keywords that match the job description put out by the company.

Your resume will land in the recruiters' hands only after passing this stage. So what can you do to ensure that your PA resume passes this test?

You can check out our blog on ATS Compliance to get a broader idea on the subject. You could also leave it to us at our Online Resume Builder , a physician assistant resume writing service and we’ll take care of the rest!

The key to perfecting your resume for a physician assistant is to choose the resume format that matches your requirements. These resume formats do not show what and what not to categorize, but how to do it. You can pick what works for your PA resume.

Reverse Chronological Format

We recommend the reverse chronological format for your physician assistant resume. Not only is it a ticket to pass the ATS, but it is also recruiter friendly and easier to prepare.

A reverse chronological format will help your physician assistant resume in these ways:

• Your physician assistant skills and experience will be in reverse chronological order
• It is ATS friendly and is the industry standard
• Due to the structured listing, preferred by the recruiters as it is easier to parse through
• It puts your recent work experience as the most recent, which is of more interest than your older experiences

Check out our post on Reverse Chronological Format to have a better understanding of this format and ways to prepare it.

You can also use a physician assistant resume writing service at our Online Resume Builder and leave the confusing parts of preparing a resume to us!

Functional Format

You might not have a clear trajectory of work experience, and maybe you don’t want it to show. In which case, you can use the functional format for your physician assistant resume.

As functional format highlights your skills more than your work experience, you can pull the focus to your certifications or skills instead.

The one downside to this format is that is not ATS compliant, but if you still want to move ahead with it, you can check out our post here for a better idea.

Combination Format

If your skills and work experience are equally highlight-worthy, this format can do wonders for you.

By presenting the first half of your physician assistant resume in reverse chronological format and the second half in functional format, the combination format gives you the best of both worlds.

However, it is time-consuming to prepare and not on par with most company guidelines.

Our post on Combination Format will give you all the details you need on this format, and you can pick your winner for your physician assistant resume.

Too anxious to risk it? Sign up for our Online Resume Builder and get a wide range of pre-filled physician assistant resume templates, and experts to give you a shortlist-worthy resume for physician assistant.

How Do I Write a Resume for a Physician Assistant?

In a fast-paced field like health-care, where recruiters can only spare a few seconds, you must ensure that your details are categorized properly. With attention to detail, you can ace your resume for physician assistant.

Given below are all the sections that can come under a resume for physician assistant:

• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Summary/Objective
• Professional Experience
• Certifications (if any)
• Awards & Recognition (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)

You can take a quick look at Hiration's Guide to Sections in a Resume for a deeper explanation.

How to Add a Header in Your Physician Assistant Resume

Rather than using words like Resume or CV in this area, boldly state your name as it is the first piece of information on your resume for physician assistant.

To stand out, we would suggest a size range of 16-20 points in a clean and minimalist font. Leave a single space between your first and last name and enter just the initial of your first name.

If you need more information, you can check out our post on Resume Headers to nail down your physician assistant resume header.

Or you can check this physician assistant resume example for a header:

Include Your Contact Information in Your Physician Assistant Resume

In your resume, this section will tell your recruiter how they can contact you. So, make sure that you list details that are accessible for you.

The personal information section of your physician assistant resume includes:

• A readily available phone number
• Your professional email address
• Location in city, state format

Check our post to know exactly how to add those details!

Given below is a physician assistant resume example for a well-crafted personal information section:

If you don't know where to draw the line, use our Online Resume Builder and get 100+ pre-filled physician assistant resume templates to make the job x100 easier for you!

Give Your Physician Assistant Resume a Profile Title

This section of your physician assistant resume shows your job role. A profile title to go for in your resume can be Physician Assistant.

Keep in mind that it is the second more important text in your resume for a physician assistant, so make sure it is loud and clear. You can add it in a size range of 14-16 points and capitalize the first letter of both words.

A physician assistant resume example for a profile title is:

Craft a Bomb Physician Assistant Resume Summary

Written in about 3 to 4 lines, your physician assistant resume summary is a brief of all the details that you would mention in your resume.

Keep in mind that this is not a place to stuff all of your details. Cherry-pick the ones that stand out the most, and is also of relevance to the recruiter.

While drafting a summary, ensure that it is:

• Concise and not wordy
• Packed with meaningful phrases and power verbs
• Does not exceed 3-4 lines
• Mentions your work experience in cause-effect methodology

Aside from a resume summary, you can use a physician assistant resume objective if you have less than three years of experience.

Those with long gaps in their career can also use a physician assistant resume objective as it places less emphasis on work experience.

The following is a good physician assistant sample for a summary section:

If this seems confusing, you can check out our Resume Summary Guide or use our Online Resume Builder to make things a ton easier for you.

Highlight Your Skills in Your Physician Assistant Resume

It’s not all education and technical knowledge that paves the way to become a physician assistant. Working closely with patients entails a degree of control over several soft skills as well.

An established website for physician assistants called Link PAs divides the skills in the following ways:

Apart from the functional skills you can also create a separate section or a subsection under the key skills section and add your technical skills.

Technical skills can be all those skills that are either mechanical or technical in nature.

For example: Your knowledge of Excel Sheet or knowledge of medical equipments such as handling (electrocardiogram) EKG, taking X-ray, etc.

Be it any skill, make sure that the ones you mention fall in line with the job description. Customize your physician assistant resume for every job description and their requirements.

Here’s a sample physician assistant resume from our experts to give you an idea:

Seems complicated? Check out our post on perfecting your key skills section to get a deeper insight!

Add Your Work Experience in Your Physician Assistant Resume

Professional experience is the section that gets zeroed in by all recruiters. It is of relevance as it shows where you’ve worked at, the roles that you adopted and the kind of work that you did, as a direct connotation of your dedication to work.

You can include details like:

• The number of patients you had counseled on a daily basis
• The area of medicine you worked in, like EMT, paramedic, medical technician and so on
• The job title, clinic name, location and dates of your work experience

A few ways to optimize your work experience to make it seem more catchy are:

Use Powerful One-Liners

With what can be called power verbs, your resume for physician assistant can instantly create a positive impact on the recruiter.

You can use words like verified, documented, monitored, recorded, ordered to give the recruiter a direct idea of what you did.

By using one-liners instead of overdrawn sentences, you can convey yourself to the recruiter in far less time, which is what the recruiter wants as well.

Grouping and Highlighting

Instead of hitting your recruiter with a wall of text, consider breaking them down and grouping them into categories.

The idea of this tip is that you group your experience from a specific company under a heading and bold words that you think are important.

You can highlight any quantifiable results so that it directly shows the recruiter the experience you have had.

Use the STAR Format

This technique is effective as it paints a picture of your problem-solving skills to your recruiter, an important skill to have in any role.

By presenting a cause-effect methodology, you can impress your recruiter.

The STAR stands for:

• The Situation you have executed the task.
• The Tasks that were assigned to you.
• Any Actions you undertook to perform the assigned task.
• The Results or outcome of your action.

Here’s a sample physician assistant resume for a shortlist-worthy professional experience section:

You can find our very detailed post on power verbs and the selection of the right words to match your physician assistant job description here!

Or leave it to a physician assistant resume writing service at Hiration’s Online Resume Builder with 100+ pre-filled physician assistant resume templates, and stop worrying about getting it right altogether!

Enter Academic Details in Your Physician Assistant Resume

Ideally, a physician assistant starts working after attaining a masters degree. The prerequisites for that include a bachelors degree as well as completion of courses in basic and behavioral sciences.

To draft a good physician assistant resume for new graduates:

• Mention the name and location of the university
• Add it in the (mm/yy - mm/yy) format of the start and end date
• Attach the names of relevant course modules

If you have years of experience as a physician assistant, you need only mention your degree, university, location and date.

In a sample physician assistant resume, an updated education section can look like this:

Include Relevant Certifications in Your Physician Assistant Resume

How do you put NCCPA on your PA resume?

Physician assistant jobs require a certifying examination after the completion of a masters degree to practice.

It is the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) administers.

If you have other physician assistant qualifications that are relevant, add them!

For the certifications, follow the format of Certification | Certifying Authority | Time Period

Given below is a sample physician assistant resume for a certifications section:

Add Extra Information to Enhance Your Physician Assistant Resume

Have more to add? This section is your place to shine!

Here is an example of how you can craft the additional experience section in your physician assistant resume:

Anything from language skills to volunteer experience to achievements or awards are accepted here. Try not to add irrelevant information and keep it professional and suitable to the physician assistant job.

Draft an Outstanding Physician Assistant Cover Letter

A professional PA resume with an equally bomb cover letter is a power duo!

It is the surest way to stand out from the rest of the applicants because of its customization. Unless requested by the company not to, sending a cover letter can boost your chances of getting a shortlist.

Here’s how you can frame your physician assistant cover letter:

• Use simple sentences to make it easily readable
• Try not to include anything absent in the resume
• Do not exaggerate your achievements
• Try not to repeat irrelevant details as your physician assistant resume will have all your details
• In addition to talking about your achievements, talk more about how you can contribute to the company
• As the recruiters will not spend much time on your cover letter, keep it short and concise

Don’t want to take the risk? Use a physician assistant cover letter service with 10+ ready to use cover letter templates that are perfect for physician assistant jobs!

Use the Hiration Resume Review Service

Upload your physician assistant resume on our Online Resume Builder and get suggestions on how you can improve it, along with a range of physician assistant resume templates!

You can match your PA resume to the physician assistant job description and ensure your resume guarantees a shortlist!

The team of experts at Hiration will review the following parameters with respect to your resume:

• ATS Compliance
• Performance Assessment
• Resume Formatting
• Design Compatibility
• Content Relevance
• Global Compatibility
• Compliance with industry norms
• Conversion Scope
• Recruiter Friendliness

Make the best use of a physician assistant resume writing service at our Resume Review Service to get your own physician assistant resume sample and customize your resume to the best of your needs!

Hiration's Online Resume Builder

If the perfect PA resume seems like a mountain you can’t climb, we can do it for you!

Hiration’s Online Resume Builder is a physician assistant resume writing service that has tons of features to make your process pleasant, such as:

• 100+ pre-filled physician assistant resume templates
• 1-click design change
• Auto bold feature
• 25+ resume designs
• Full rich-text editor
• JD-resume matcher
• Intuitive next text suggestion
• Unlimited PDF downloads
• LIVE resume editor
• Option to save unlimited resumes
• LIVE resume score
• A sharable link

Not only that!

We provide a range of services to help you bag that job, such as:

• Digital Portfolio Builder
• LinkedIn Review
• Interview Preparation

Physician Assistant Resume Sample

Before you plunge into all the details, here is a sample physician assistant resume to give you a basic idea of how your resume for physician assistant should look!

• Received Physician Assistant of the Year Award in '20 for demonstrating exemplary services to the community
• Acknowledged with Humanitarian of the Year Award for the year '19
• Played a pivotal role in developing advanced medical techniques leading to an increase in patient satisfaction score by 30%
• Assisting in determining health conditions by interpreting results from patients' X-rays reports and laboratory studies
• Conducting regular follow-ups and examining ~ 20 patients daily under the supervision of a senior physician
• Educating patients about their health conditions while examining and diagnosing their injuries and illnesses
• Performing non-invasive treatments in adherence to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guidelines (AAOS)
• Identifying complications and prescribing medications to patients' for promoting & maintaining their health conditions
• Aiding in diagnosing illness and developing & managing ~50 treatment plans while ensuring smooth medical procedures
• Playing a key role in acquiring, updating, and studying patients' medical history to recommend courses of action for patient care
• Rendering support in documenting patients' medical and departmental records while ensuring optimal accuracy
• Planned and implemented rehabilitation and strength training programs for curing short & long term injuries
• Rendered support in assessing injuries and assisting with applying tape, bandages, and braces to protect or prevent injuries
• Liaised with coaches and medical professionals to evaluate athletes' physical health condition to suggest treatment plans
• Developed and maintained records relating to athletes' diet & training plans while setting up health and fitness goals
• CGPA: 3.8/4.0
• CGPA: 3.6/4.0
• NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualifications - Orthopaedic Surgery | Jun '21
• NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualifications - Emergency Medicine | Dec '19
• Member of American Medical Association | Augusta, GA | Jul '19 - Present
• Coordinating with 10+ volunteers for advising patients on preventative care and ensuring optimal health practices
• Volunteer | Child Care | Augusta, GA | Aug '19 - Sep '20
• Assisted in raising ~USD 20k funds by collaborating with ~15 volunteers
• Rendered support in teaching English and Mathematics to 150+ children-at-risk
• Languages: English (native) and Spanish (working proficiency)

You can also choose our Online Resume Builder to get your own physician assistant resume sample in a breeze.

Key Takeaways

• Make sure that your listed contact information can reach you at all times .
• Choose the right resume format to go with your career trajectory for your PA resume.
• Add your certification details correctly so that your recruiters know you're qualified for the physician assistant job.
• Use power verbs and one-liners in your professional experience section and highlight the important points.
• Ensure that the skills and summary listed in your physician assistant resume syncs with the job description.
• Make your PA resume is ATS friendly by using certain keywords mentioned in the job description.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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Physician Assistant Resume Examples

A Physician assistant (PA) is an important part of a healthcare team and can provide the same patient care as a physician. Writing a strong and effective resume is the best way to increase your chances of getting a job as a PA. This guide provides an overview of the basics of writing a PA resume, as well as tips to make sure your resume stands out from the crowd. It also includes examples of resumes written by PAs who have successfully landed jobs. Use this guide to create a resume that showcases your unique experiences and qualifications, and helps you stand out from other applicants.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, be sure to check out our complete library of resume examples .

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Physician Assistant

123 Main Street | Anytown, USA 99999 | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | Email: [email protected]

As a seasoned Physician Assistant with 5 years of experience in providing medical care to a variety of patients, I am highly competent in all aspects of medical care. I have extensive knowledge of medical assessments, diagnosis and treatment plans. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and I am able to work successfully in a team environment. I am adept in medical coding and administrative tasks such as scheduling and filing patient records. I am detail- oriented and organized, and am committed to providing the highest quality of care to my patients.

Core Skills :

• Medical Assessments
• Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
• Medical Coding
• Patient Care
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Administrative and Scheduling
• Documentation and Records
• Attention to Detail
• Quality Control

Professional Experience : Physician Assistant, ABC Medical Center – March 2015 to Present

• Provide comprehensive medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician
• Perform medical assessments, diagnose illnesses and injuries, and develop treatment plans
• Communicate effectively with patients and other members of the healthcare team
• Ensure proper medical coding and documentation in patient files
• Oversee ordering of medical supplies and equipment
• Provide patient education and counseling
• Monitor patient progress and provide follow- up care

Physician Assistant, XYZ Community Clinic – Feb 2011 to Feb 2015

• Assisted physicians in providing medical care to patients
• Assessed patients and developed treatment plans
• Administered medication, monitored responses, and communicated changes to physician
• Provided patient counseling and education
• Scheduled appointments and medical procedures
• Ensured proper medical coding and documentation

Education : Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies – ABC University, 2011 Bachelor of Science in Biology – XYZ University.

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Physician Assistant Resume with No Experience

Highly motivated Physician Assistant with a strong interest in providing quality patient care. Experienced working in a fast- paced healthcare environment. Possesses knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as an understanding of the clinical aspects of medicine.

• Medical Diagnosis
• Patient Assessment
• Documenting Medical Information
• Prescribing Medication
• Performing Procedures
• Electronic Medical Records
• Interpersonal Skills
• Time Management

Responsibilities :

• Provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician
• Perform physical exams, diagnose and treat medical conditions, and order tests
• Educate patients and families on medical procedures, medications, and health maintenance
• Develop treatment plans and provide follow- up care
• Monitor patient progress, order laboratory tests, and interpret results
• Manage patient records and charting in accordance with regulations and protocols

Experience 0 Years

Level Junior

Education Bachelor’s

Physician Assistant Resume with 2 Years of Experience

A highly motivated and hardworking Physician Assistant with 2 years of experience in providing exceptional patient care. Proven ability to assess and treat medical conditions, while demonstrating excellent medical knowledge, great organizational and communication skills. Capable of working in challenging environments, making sound clinical decisions, and keeping up to date with the latest medical developments.

• Excellent knowledge in medical terminology
• Highly Skilled in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Proficient in medication prescription and administration
• Strong ability to assess and diagnose patients
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to handle stress and difficult situations
• Reviewing patient records and medical history
• Performing physical examinations
• Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests
• Conducting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Prescribing and administering medications
• Counseling patients on health maintenance and prevention
• Providing patient education
• Making referrals to other health care professionals
• Documenting patient encounters and updating patient records

Experience 2+ Years

Physician Assistant Resume with 5 Years of Experience

A highly motivated and experienced Physician Assistant with 5 years of experience in providing comprehensive healthcare services to patients in a variety of settings. Experienced in evaluating and diagnosing medical conditions, ordering and interpreting lab tests, prescribing medications, and managing various types of treatment plans. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills, allowing for the delivery of superior care and patient education.

• Ability to evaluate and diagnose medical conditions
• Knowledge of prescribing medications
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in ordering and interpreting lab tests
• Ability to manage various types of treatment plans
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Proficient in the use of electronic medical records
• Examining patient’s medical history and diagnosing the nature of illness
• Prescribing medications and recommending treatment plans
• Performing minor surgical procedures
• Ordering laboratory tests and interpreting results
• Educating patients about health issues and preventive measures
• Monitoring patient progress and making necessary adjustments to treatment plans
• Providing follow- up care to patients and referring them to specialists as appropriate

Experience 5+ Years

Level Senior

Physician Assistant Resume with 7 Years of Experience

Physician Assistant with 7 years of experience providing comprehensive medical services to a diverse range of patients. Skilled in developing individualized plans of care for a wide variety of ailments. Proven ability to manage patient care, maintain accurate medical records, and provide education to patients and their families.

• Experience examining and treating patients with a broad range of ailments
• Proficient in both office and hospital- based procedures
• Comprehensive knowledge of EMR systems and charting
• Skilled in developing individualized treatment plans
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Compassionate, empathetic, and patient- focused
• Documenting patient histories, observations, and progress in medical records
• Examine and treat patients, providing appropriate care and education
• Coordinate between patients, families, and other healthcare providers
• Ensure laboratory and diagnostic testing is accurately ordered and interpreted
• Provide detailed instructions and advice to patients on post- treatment homecare
• Collaborate with physicians to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient

Experience 7+ Years

Physician Assistant Resume with 10 Years of Experience

A Physician Assistant with over 10 years of experience in healthcare, I have a deep understanding of medical terminology, pharmacology, and patient assessment. I have a strong background in primary care in both outpatient and inpatient care settings. I am highly skilled in medical office procedures, medical coding, and medical billing. I am a team player who is goal- oriented and has superior interpersonal skills. I always strive to provide excellent patient care and ensure the highest standard of quality in all aspects of patient care.

• Clinical knowledge of primary care and inpatient care
• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and pharmacology
• Knowledge of medical office procedures, medical coding, and medical billing
• Strong ability to multitask and prioritize
• Highly organized with attention to detail
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Perform physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries
• Evaluate and make decisions about patient care
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as lab work and x- rays
• Prescribe medications and treatments
• Counsel patients and their families on preventive healthcare and health maintenance
• Refer patients to other healthcare providers as necessary
• Assist physicians in the operating room
• Document patient visits, treatments, and medications in the patient’s medical record
• Track and maintain patient records
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of healthcare laws and regulations

Experience 10+ Years

Level Senior Manager

Education Master’s

Physician Assistant Resume with 15 Years of Experience

Physician Assistant with 15 years of experience providing patient care in a variety of settings. Well- versed in interpreting and analyzing diagnostic tests, collaborating with physicians regarding patient care, and providing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Adept at developing and implementing successful care plans, providing patient education, and maintaining medical records.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• High level of patient care and medical knowledge
• Proficient in examination and diagnosis
• Knowledge of medical terminology, procedures, and treatments
• Ability to accurately interpret and assess patient conditions
• Adept at utilizing electronic medical records
• Strong ability to multitask and manage time efficiently
• Provided comprehensive medical care to patients in a variety of settings
• Performed physical examinations and evaluations, order laboratory tests, and interpret diagnostic tests
• Assisted physicians in the operating room with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care
• Developed and implemented individualized patient care plans
• Counseled patients and family members on patient care
• Managed patient care and monitored patient progress
• Documented patient care and medical records
• Conducted patient education and provided health promotion activities

Experience 15+ Years

Level Director

In addition to this, be sure to check out our resume templates , resume formats ,  cover letter examples ,  job description , and  career advice  pages for more helpful tips and advice.

What should be included in a Physician Assistant resume?

When creating your resume as a Physician Assistant, it is important to ensure the document accurately reflects your experience and qualifications. A well-crafted resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information: Include your full name, address, phone number, email address, and professional social media accounts.
• Summary: Write a brief summary of your qualifications as a Physician Assistant to set the tone for the rest of the resume.
• Education: List all institution name, degree type, and year of completion.
• Clinical Experience: Include any clinical rotations or internships, as well as any professional experience in the field of medicine.
• Licensure: List any certification or licensure you hold relevant to the Physician Assistant role.
• Skills: Highlight any notable skills that make you stand out from other candidates such as medical terminology, laboratory procedure knowledge, ability to multi-task, and patient-care experience.
• Professional Memberships: If you are a part of any professional organizations, showcase your membership.
• Specialty Areas: If you have any specialized training or experience, be sure to include it here.
• Awards and Achievements: List any awards or achievements that have been bestowed upon you in recognition of your work.

By making sure your resume includes all of the above elements, you can be sure to create a comprehensive and effective document that showcases your strengths as a Physician Assistant.

What is a good summary for a Physician Assistant resume?

A physician assistant (PA) is someone who works as a partner with a doctor to provide health care services. These PAs are highly trained and have a wide range of clinical experience and knowledge. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests and procedures, write prescriptions, and provide patient education.

A well-written physician assistant resume should include a summary of qualifications that highlights the PA’s experience and knowledge. It should also include a list of certifications and licenses they hold, as well as their professional strengths and any relevant volunteer or internship experience.

When writing an effective resume summary for a physician assistant, applicants should begin by introducing themselves and their professional qualifications. After that, they should list their areas of expertise and any specializations or certifications they possess. The summary should also include a brief description of their experience in the medical field and how it applies to the position being applied for. Finally, it should showcase the PA’s interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team setting.

A strong physician assistant summary should be concise yet detailed, and emphasize the qualities that make the applicant unique and qualified for the position. It should also be tailored to the particular job posting, by focusing on the skills, experience, and qualities that make the applicant the best candidate.

What is a good objective for a Physician Assistant resume?

A Physician Assistant is a highly skilled health professional who works closely with doctors and other medical personnel to provide quality patient care. When creating a resume for a Physician Assistant role, the objective should be tailored to highlight your knowledge, skills, and experience that make you the perfect candidate for the job. Here are some tips for crafting an effective objective statement for a Physician Assistant resume:

• Highlight your qualifications: Show potential employers that you understand the requirements for a successful Physician Assistant by emphasizing your relevant qualifications, such as a Physician Assistant degree, experience working in a medical setting, and any specialized training.
• Emphasize your ability to work in a team: Demonstrate that you are able to collaborate with other healthcare professionals by highlighting any past experiences in team-based environments.
• Demonstrate your commitment to patient care: Show potential employers that you will prioritize patient care by emphasizing your commitment to providing quality care and your ability to stay current with the latest treatments and technologies.
• Mention any specialty areas: If you have experience in a specific area such as pediatrics, orthopedics, or geriatrics, be sure to mention it in your objective statement.

By highlighting your qualifications, ability to work in a team, commitment to patient care, and any specialty areas, you can create an effective objective statement for a Physician Assistant resume and show potential employers why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

How do you list Physician Assistant skills on a resume?

When writing your resume for a Physician Assistant position, it is important to include your core skills to demonstrate your suitability for the role. Here are some tips for listing your Physician Assistant skills on your resume:

• Highlight skills most relevant to the job: Depending on the job you’re applying for, you may want to emphasize different skills. If you’re applying for a position in pediatrics, for example, you’ll want to highlight your experience with children and knowledge of pediatric care.
• Include keywords: Read through the job description carefully and make sure to include relevant keywords. This will help ensure your resume is noticed by the hiring manager.
• Specify duties: Don’t just list your skills, but also include an example of how you’ve used them in the past. This will help the employer understand the scope of your experience.
• Show proficiency: If you’re proficient at a certain skill, like utilizing EMR/EHR software, make sure to include that.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling resume that will help you stand out from the competition and get invited for an interview.

What skills should I put on my resume for Physician Assistant?

When it comes to writing your resume as a Physician Assistant, there are certain skills that you should highlight to potential employers. Your resume should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for, so that the skills you list are relevant and useful in the position. Here are some of the necessary skills to consider putting on your Physician Assistant resume:

• Clinical Care: A Physician Assistant must have strong clinical skills, including knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care. Showcase your ability to manage care for patients of various ages, backgrounds and needs.
• Medical Knowledge: Demonstrate your knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and therapeutic treatments. This may include listing any certifications or licenses you hold.
• Communication Skills: Showcase your ability to effectively communicate with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals. This may include your ability to document care, provide instruction and answer questions.
• Technical Proficiency: Must be able to use and understand technology used in the healthcare field, such as electronic health records.
• Interpersonal Skills: A Physician Assistant must be able to build relationships with patients and colleagues, and provide effective and compassionate care.
• Adaptability: Physician Assistants must be able to handle various situations and adapt to different environments.

By highlighting these skills on your resume, you can show employers that you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Key takeaways for an Physician Assistant resume

Your Physician Assistant (PA) resume is one of the most important documents you’ll ever create. It’s your first impression with potential employers and can make or break your chances of getting an interview. With that being said, here are some key takeaways to help you create a stellar PA resume that will get you noticed.

• Use a clear, concise format. Don’t overwhelm employers with too much information, but make sure to include all of the important details such as your education, training, and certifications.
• Focus on your skills and accomplishments. Highlight the skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, such as your clinical experience, research, and teaching.
• List relevant experience. Even if you don’t have a lengthy PA career, you can still include other relevant experience, such as volunteer work, internships, and other healthcare or medical positions.
• Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. If you want to stand out, consider including some creative elements, such as multimedia and graphics, to draw attention to your resume.
• Avoid common mistakes. Errors, typos, and misleading information can all lead to an immediate rejection. Be sure to double-check your resume for any mistakes and make sure all of the information provided is accurate.

By following these tips, you can create a standout PA resume that will help you stand out from the competition and get noticed by employers. Good luck!

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Physician Assistant Resume Sample and Tips from HR Pros

Looking for help with writing your Physician Assistant resume?

We had an HR expert put together a sample resume for you, so you can get your own resume to look exactly the way hiring managers will appreciate. Review the sample below and read on to see some expert tips from HR professionals.

Before we go over the sections on the sample resume above, let’s take a look at some general information about the job of a physician assistant (PA). What will you be expected to do as a PA? How much money will you make when working in this field? What type of offices hire physician assistants?

Physician Assistant job description

Someone working as a Physician Assistant is generally expected to provide essential professional medical care while working directly with patients, interviewing and ordering tests for diagnostics, prescribing treatment and handling basic medical procedures, such as stitching wounds or setting bones. They will usually be supervised by a physician or a general surgeon, but in certain places or situations the position may be independent. Physician assistants may work in areas like pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, dermatology and similar. They may work with group medical practices, in hospitals or government agencies.

How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make?

To give you an idea of what kind of salary you might expect in this job, take a look at some statistical data for the US market below. In the United States, a physician assistant makes an average of $92,800 to $130,530 per year, with the median salary at about $112,260, according to 2020 stats by the U. S. News and World Report.

Want to get the best PA job that would pay at the top of the range? Writing an effective resume is a good first step in securing one! Let’s review the sections you would include on your Physician Assistant resume to make it look professional and provide all the required details a hiring manager might be looking for.

Name and contact info

It’s a no-brainer that your resume should start with your name and contact information, so that the hiring manager will know right away whose job application they are looking at and how this person may be contacted for further consideration. Here is how to fill out this section:

• Write your full name and add your educational and professional credential abbreviations, such as MMS, MPAS, PA, PA-C, etc.;
• Write your home address and the best phone number you can be contacted at;
• Specify your email address, so you can get a response to your application;
• Although this is not mandatory, it won’t hurt to list your LinkedIn profile link so that your potential employer may see your career history, references and recommendations, or other details on who you are.

See below what this section may look like on a physician assistant resume.

Resume summary.

Right after the name, write a brief summary of your professional career, listing the most important skills and achievements that will be relevant to the position you are applying for. This summary is what the hiring manager will look at first on your resume. Therefore, they should be able to get a clear picture of why your previous work experience and education make you a good fit for the position.

The summary should not repeat the same information that’s detailed further below under Experience and Education, but rather get the HR interested in reading further. This is where you need to present yourself as a qualified professional. Be sure to list numbers if you can, and use specific instead of general wording. HR experts recommend keeping the summary down to 3-5 sentences, and making them all concise but packed with relevant information.

As a PA, you may list the areas you specialize in and the areas you have the most experience with (see the sample below).

Get more tips to help you write the perfect job resume summary in our article here.

Professional Experience

Did you know that the way you list your work experience on your resume can cause your application to be rejected, while listing the same experience correctly may raise your chances of getting hired? And that has nothing to do with discrimination of any kind or the notorious human factor. You might not be aware of it, but the majority of large companies and a good portion of smaller ones are using automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) these days. Knowing how these systems work and making your resume ATS-friendly is a must for a successful job search.

What is an ATS? An applicant tracking system helps the HR sift through hundreds of resumes and create a shortlist of applicants to interview and/or test further. Thanks to this system, over 70% of applications may not even make it onto the hiring manager’s desk, as they get rejected by the ATS at the first stage. Your goal should be to get your resume into the remaining 25+% and give yourself a chance to be considered for the job you want.

How do you accomplish that? The ATS is usually set up to screen resumes based on the specific position and its requirements. The HR will enter the job requirements into the system and all incoming resumes are then compared to the list. If no matches, or very few matches, are detected, the resume is rejected even if the applicant may in fact be a good fit for the job. You see, the system may not be able to understand that “the language of love” is actually French, or that “a magician of the word” is actually copywriter. So, when it comes to writing an effective and ATS-friendly resume, being too creative will usually do you more harm than good.

Now that you know what NOT to do, let’s focus on what you CAN do to improve the chances of your resume passing the ATS screen. Customize your resume to the job you are applying for. The best thing you can do is use the same wording as you see in the job description, since that’s what the algorithm will be looking for. Also, be sure to use standard names for resume sections, such as “Professional Experience” and “Education”.

For instance, if the requirements listed in the Physician Assistant job ad say “Orthopedic and occupational medicine experience”, write exactly the phrase “Orthopedic and occupational medicine” when listing previous work experience on your resume.

The format you use is important too

• Recruiters read your resume top to bottom and left to right, and they most likely won’t read every word, but rather skim over the resume contents looking for keywords and the info they need. Knowing this can help you place the most important details you want the HR to pay attention to in spots that will definitely get noticed.
• Highlight your confirmed skills and use numbers whenever possible, so that the recruiter’s eye will catch these details.
• Use a bulleted list when writing about your experience to make it easier to read.
• Don’t use bright colors that might be too distracting or fonts that may not be read correctly by the AST.
• Using columns, tables or other elements that will complicate the document structure may not play well with the AST, so keep the format simple.

Licenses and certifications

This is where you need to list the most relevant information on the licenses and certifications you hold, which may help you stand out in a pool of dozens of applicants. Look at the job description and see which licenses are required and which are listed as a potential advantage, then see which of these you have and specify their details in this section. In situations when you may have quite a few certificates, listing all of them may not be a good idea, unless you believe they are all truly relevant to the position you are looking to be hired for. If some of them aren’t, feel free to skip them instead of overloading your resume with irrelevant data.

The Education section should also contain just the relevant courses and degrees. It is pretty obvious that listing a cooking class or a driving school won’t make any difference to your chances of getting hired as a physician assistant, so why take up valuable space on a document that must be kept down to one page? It’s okay to list your schools all in one paragraph to save space, but in that case, highlight school names with bold font to make the info easier to read.

Additional information

This is a great place where you can specify information that can help you stand out. List any publications you’ve had, commendations or awards you have received, hobbies, languages you speak, or any other details which will tell the potential employer that you are curious, enthusiastic, ambitious, active, or otherwise a good match for their workplace culture. Be sure to list any medical volunteer or charity work you may have been involved in. Medicine is an area where empathy is valued, so this will shed some extra positive light on your personality.

HR professionals recommend mentioning your references in this section too, as it is an important element that is expected on a Physician Assistant resume.

In addition to the above, here are a few other tips from HR experts you need to take into consideration. When writing your resume, do your best to keep it down to 1 page. Hiring managers are busy people, especially when they have more than one position open and applications arrive in dozens or even hundreds. They will appreciate a concise one-page document that is well-structured, with important details highlighted. Of course, you may have over 10 years of professional experience and all of it might be relevant to the job you are looking to get. In that case, it’s okay to make your resume a bit longer, up to 2 pages, but be sure to list the most important details on the first page.

An ideal resume is a combination of content that would allow you to stand out and format that is ATS-friendly, neat and comfortable to read. Learn more about writing the perfect resume here , and be sure to check out expert tips on creating an effective Physician Assistant cover letter to go with your resume.

Physician Assistant cover letter

How to Write a Physician Assistant Resume: Templates & Tips

Working in medicine is never an easy job, and finding a job as a physician assistant (PA) can be pretty difficult as well. 

The best tool to get you from sending in applications to meeting with patients is a well-written resume . 

A great way to ensure yours is up to the task is to use a resume builder to ensure all this information is added, and you don’t leave anything out. 

It will be up to you to include the most relevant details that will help your resume stand out .

In this guide, you’ll find the treatment that your resume needs as we examine: 

• Physician assistant resume examples to show you what to include and avoid.
• The skills and keywords that you should add. 
• How to write your resume to catch the attention of a job recruiter or hiring manager. 
• How to include your prior experience and education in your resume. 

You’ll also get helpful tips and advice that ensure your resume will impress a hiring manager.

Physician Assistant Resume Sample

Before you start to create your own resume, it’s often a wise choice to look at a resume example . This allows you to review what will be needed to create a job-winning resume.

Below you can see an example of a resume for a Physician Assistant position , which can give you a good idea of how to structure yours correctly.

[Richard Johnson]

[Physician Assistant]

[Tulip Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 55501 | (555) 232-5219 | [email protected]]

An experienced and certified physician assistant with 5+ years of clinical experience. Cared for dozens of patients while staying in line with the values of the medical clinic. Diagnosed and treated various illnesses with advanced medical knowledge, while keeping patients well-informed with excellent communication skills and empathy.

East Pennsylvania Clinic/ Physician Assistant/Philadelphia, PA /2017-2022

• Worked well with the lead physician to provide medical treatment to patients.
• Aided physicians with various treatments, including follow-up care. 
• Kept records of the patient’s medical records, including diagnosis, and procedures. 
• Provided first aid and urgent care, including treating injuries 
• Prescribed and recommended medicine to patients

2016 University of Pennsylvania 

MS in Physician Assistant Studies 

• Attained the highest grades in my class in anatomy and physiology and Pharmacology

2009-2013 University of Pennsylvania

BS in Health Assessment 

• Achieved a 3.8 GPA
• Studied courses in Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology, and more

Hard Skills:

• Evaluation and Diagnosis
• Patient Care
• Primary Care
• Urgent Care
• Physical Examination 
• Surgical Assistance 

Soft Skills:

• Written Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Detail Oriented
• Verbal Communication 
• Active Listening
• Organization
• Reliability
• Confidentiality
• Empathy and Compassion

Certifications

• NCCPA-C Physician Assistant Certification
• NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) – Emergency Medicine

Hobbies and Interests

• Learning languages (Spanish and French)
• Listening to medical podcasts

By using our resume templates , you can easily create a resume just like this one that displays your skills, experience, and education in the ideal structure.

Physician Assistant Resume Formatting Tips

Formatting is one of the most important elements of a resume. Not only does it help applicant tracking systems (ATS) find significant information quickly , but it also helps hiring managers get a clearer picture of your skills and experience .

Resume formats can depend on how much or little experience you have as a physician assistant. If you have more than two years of experience , you may favor one type of format over another. 

There are two basic types of resume formats : 

• Reverse chronological 

The reverse chronological format would be your preferred format if you have more than a couple of years of real full-time experience as a physician assistant or in a related role. 

There are several ways you can format your PA resume, but we recommend using the reverse chronological format. By using this format, you can showcase your most recent work and accomplishments first. 

If you have at least a couple of years of clinical experience, the best thing to do would be to show it off. Anyone who’s hiring looks for experience first. 

If you don’t have much experience yet , there’s no need to panic. 

The best option for you would be to use a functional format . This type of format highlights your skills and education.

While you may not have as much experience as another candidate, your skills will jump off the page and the ATS or a job recruiter will take note. 

Look up more crucial information on how to decide your resume format to ensure you select the correct one. 

Below are some general rules for formatting before you get started:

• Use bullet points. Instead of paragraphs, list your information in bullet points wherever possible so that information is easy to skim over by both humans and computers. Bullet points will also ensure consistency throughout the document. 
• Make sure all font sizes match. If there’s any inconsistency between fonts or sizes between pages/sections, then this could confuse recruiters who might think their applicant isn’t paying attention to detail
• Ensure there are no grammatical errors . Grammar mistakes can make you look unprofessional, which is never a good thing when applying for jobs. We recommend proofreading your resume at least twice before submitting it to ATS systems.

If you’d like to have a combination of both formats, you can choose a hybrid format.

Physician Assistant Resume Objective or Summary

Your resume objective or summary is a one to three-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager what you are capable of and even what you hope to achieve.

A good way to think about this section is as an elevator pitch . It’s brief and memorable, giving just enough detail so that the rest of your resume makes sense.

This section should also not be written in the third person, but rather first person. This will help present yourself as professional and personal at the same time, which is important because you’re trying to convince someone else that they should hire you.

Just like choosing a format, deciding between a summary and an objective will often have to do with the experience you have . 

You should go with an objective over a summary to catch the manager’s attention if you do not have much experience . Whereas, a summary will boast your past work experience and prior job responsibilities.

Physician Assistant Summary Example

If you are updating your resume and you have experience working as a Physician’s Assistant, you should decide to write a resume summary over an objective. 

As a physician assistant with two or more years of experience , you have a bit of a leg up on other applicants. You can use your summary to take advantage of your past job experience and duties. 

Here are examples of what you should and shouldn’t do when writing your summary.

Don’t 👎

Certified physician assistant with years of working in a medical institution. Communicated well with the medical team to treat patients in a timely and sympathetic manner. 

While this summary is on the right track, it needs more, it seems generic and lacks details. Here is what you should write.

Certified physician assistant with over 5 years of clinical experience. Met with clients and treated a wide range of illnesses and injuries including broken bones, abrasions, and more. Worked tirelessly to diagnose patients and used communication skills and empathy to provide all information clearly and calmly.

A summary isn’t for a new graduate physician assistant resume, you have the experience and should show it off.

Physician Assistant Objective Example

If you are writing an entry physician assistant resume , the beginning of your resume has a different diagnosis than an experienced physician assistant’s. 

You’ll want to s how off your skills and education in a well-written resume objective. Using the right keywords and industry terminology can help, even if you lack work experience. This is because it demonstrates your sector-specific knowledge. 

You should write an objective like the one you see below.

Certified physician assistant with a master’s in physician assistant studies and a 3.9 GPA. Learned communication skills and how to administer CPR and carry out a proper diagnosis. Led a group during training that accurately diagnosed and treated fractures and broken bones.

Mention your GPA in your objective only if it was 3.7 or above.

How to Describe Your Physician Assistant Experience on Your Resume

When you are describing your experience, focus on the skills that you used and how they helped the facility or patient. You may want to include:

• The name of the facility where you worked
• Dates of employment
• Your job title(s)
• Any related certifications 

Presenting your latest job first is also recommended. This gives potential employers a better idea of how long you’ve been working in healthcare and what level of responsibility and experience you have already achieved as a physician assistant.

If possible, also try to add some context around what responsibilities were unique to your position as a PA.

For example, if you were responsible for the daily operations of a facility, including specific examples of how you helped to handle the patient’s lab results and paperwork.  If you worked directly with patients , focus on how your experience in healthcare has prepared you to work as a PA.

It’s also important to mention any certifications that are relevant to the position you’re applying for (for example, CPR).

Physician Assistant Experience Example

As a physician assistant, your experience is golden. Here, we’ll give you the prescription on how to write the perfect experience section on your resume.

East Pennsylvania Clinic/ Physician Assistant /Philadelphia, PA /2017-2022

• Worked well with the lead physician to provide medical treatment to over 50 patients.
• Provided first aid and urgent care to both children and adults

Add data when you can to demonstrate your success at your previous job.

How to Include Skills for Physician Assistant on Your Resume

As with all parts of your resume, it’s important to keep your skill section neat and tidy. Using bullet points will go a long way. 

You’ll want to only include relevant skills that demonstrate how well-suited you are for the job at hand.

Start by making sure that each skill is listed in order of importance (i.e., the most significant should be first). 

Your skills should be in line with those you see in the job description, they are what the applicant tracking system and a recruiter will be looking for. Some hard and soft skills you can add to your resume for this role include:

Hard Skills

Soft Skills

How to Write the Education Section on Your Physician Assistant Resume

Working in the medical field, practically no one has studied for less than four years. Recruiters and head doctors are looking for the best and brightest. 

While your experience will be essential, the education section will also be key to landing a job. 

In the education section of your resume , include:

• Your university or college name.
• Your GPA (if it’s above 3.50) .
• The courses and degrees you received, including pertinent information such as course descriptions and specializations.
• Clinical training
• Certifications 

If you won any awards or special recognition , you should also mention them in this section.

Key Takeaways

Remember that your resume is the most important tool to help you get an interview for the physician assistant role you are looking for.

You want to make it as simple as possible for someone to read and understand all of your information, so they can decide whether they want to interview you. 

Keeping all the information ready and in an organized manner will get you from going over your resume to going over a patient’s diagnosis.

Free Resume Templates

Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder .