How To Write a Physician Assistant Resume
To write an eye-catching physician assistant resume, showcase deeper insights into your professional career within the medical field. A generic document that doesn’t capture the nuances of your unique experience won’t be compelling to the hiring manager. Instead, highlight your ability to create value for patients and hospitals. This guide provides valuable tips and insights to help you translate your career into an accomplishment-driven resume.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
The profile section where you summarize your skills and experience goes at the top of your resume. At a minimum, it should include your years of health care experience, what areas you want to work in, and a few keywords relevant to the job description. Focus on conveying who you are as a health care professional, such as your passion for improving quality of life or emphasizing your unique approach to patient care.
For example, patient-centered care is an important term you might feature in your profile. In health care, patients must have a voice in determining their treatment based on their unique emotional, religious, and physical needs. Organizations value candidates who have a background in serving as an advocate for patients throughout treatment lifecycles.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A licensed Physician Assistant with 10+ years of healthcare work experience specializing in patient-centered care, team leadership, and clinical operations. A strong history of identifying opportunities to enhance clinical workflows and drive positive medical outcomes for patients.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A licensed Physician Assistant with three years of healthcare work experience specializing in patient care, medical triage, communication, and patient relations. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and physicians to drive positive outcomes and ensure patient satisfaction.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Strong physician assistant candidates can provide a detailed work history, but this section should be engaging and feature a narrative of your professional experience. Include basic details like where you worked and how long, and then follow with a list of bullets that captures your responsibilities and career achievements within the health care field.
Quantifying your accomplishments can be challenging within the health care field, as patient outcomes are determined by many factors and circumstances. That said, there are metrics you can incorporate to showcase the results of your medical efforts. For example, you might mention the ratio between patients and nurses at the hospital to demonstrate a high-volume caseload. This context would make a high patient satisfaction score all the more compelling because the hiring manager has this additional information.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Lead Physician Assistant, St. Mark’s Hospital, Boston, MA
May 2016 – Present
- Oversee a team of 20+ nursing assistants and medical assistants in coordination with physicians for a 300-bed hospital with a 1:6 patient ratio and ensure compliance with quality care standards, HIPAA regulations, and hospital protocols
- Identify opportunities to enhance medical operations, streamline intake processes, and reduce patient wait times by 15%, resulting in a 93% patient satisfaction rating
- Conduct patient assessments and physical examinations to identify evidence-based treatment plans and administer medication as needed
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Physician Assistant, Heartline Hospital, San Diego, CA
May 2020 – Present
- Coordinated with clinical teams to provide support to the attending physician, perform patient assessments and physical examinations, gather patient medical history, and evaluate symptoms to identify potential diagnosis
- Educate patients on medical conditions, symptoms, and diagnosis with empathy and understanding and provide emotional support throughout treatment
- Perform diagnostic, imaging, and laboratory testing, analyze results, and provide recommendations on treatment plans and medication prescriptions
3. Include relevant education and certifications
You’ve spent many years working on your education and formal training, which should be highlighted in your resume. Hiring managers will be looking for someone with the proper degree and licensing for the position, so ensure the information can be found easily. List all relevant education, including a bachelor’s degree, school, and graduation year.
For certifications, include the title, awarding body, and year. Most jobs require candidates to have at least a physician assistant certified (PA-C), but list any other relevant credentials from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), such as Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, or Pediatrics.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Master of Science (M.S.) Physician Assistant Studies
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA – May 2018
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [License Number], [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) State of California, License #123456, 2018
4. List pertinent key skills
One of the main goals of your resume is to show a hiring manager you’re a good fit for the position and have the skills and experience to succeed. Much of this will come from your work history. But including a separate list of your key skills ensures a hiring manager can quickly see you’re a match and allows you to add in keywords.
Organizations hiring physician assistants are likely looking for candidates who can help reduce patient wait times, increase revenue by adding patients to the practice, and provide top-notch bedside care. If you’re not sure what to include, here are some common skills hiring managers are looking for in this position:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Acute care | Basic Life Support (BLS) |
| Communication | Continuous improvement |
| Electrocardiograms (EKGs) | Electrocardiography |
| Electronic medical records (EHR) | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) |
| IVs | Medical imaging |
| Medication administration | Patient advocacy |
| Patient assessments | Patient-centered care |
| Patient discharge | Patient intake |
| Patient management | Pediatric care |
| Phlebotomy | Physical examinations |
| Relationship building | Team leadership |
| Telemetry | Trauma care |
| Treatment plans | Triage |
How To Pick the Best Physician Assistant Resume Template
A physician assistant resume should be straightforward and look like a professional business document. It’s best to avoid anything too fancy or nontraditional, such as a full-color background or script font. Choose a basic template that has room for a detailed work history, a skills list, and your education and credentials. Select a single-column format that allows the hiring manager to easily scan your resume for key information.
Physician Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Santa Maria, San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A licensed Physician Assistant with three years of healthcare work experience specializing in patient care, medical triage, communication, and patient relations. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and physicians to drive positive outcomes and ensure patient satisfaction.
Professional Experience
Physician Assistant, Heartline Hospital, San Diego, CA
May 2020 – Present
- Coordinated with clinical teams to provide support to the attending physician, perform patient assessments and physical examinations, gather patient medical history, and evaluate symptoms to identify potential diagnosis
- Educate patients on medical conditions, symptoms, and diagnosis with empathy and understanding and provide emotional support throughout treatment
- Perform diagnostic, imaging, and laboratory testing, analyze results, and provide recommendations on treatment plans and medication prescriptions
Physician Assistant, Lantern Medical Center, San Diego, CA
May 2018 – May 2019
- Provided patient-centered care and conducted a variety of therapeutic procedures, including vaccinations, immunizations, wound care, and IV treatment
- Performed clinical diagnostics and patient assessments, which included conducting interviews to gather medical data and evaluate symptoms
- Ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations and data privacy protocols for patient records
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Physician Assistant Studies
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA May 2016 – May 2018
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Health Sciences
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Patient Care
- Medication Administration
- Medical Triage
- Patient Assessment
- Communication
Certifications
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) State of California, License #123456, 2018
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association (AHA), 2018
Selena Ramirez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345
Profile
A licensed Physician Assistant with five years of healthcare work experience specializing in patient-centered care, relationship building, and acute care. A proven track record of driving patient advocacy and identifying opportunities to improve the patient experience.
Professional Experience
Physician Assistant, Hopkins Medical Center, New York, NY
May 2020 – Present
- Deliver quality patient-centered care to diverse patient populations, serve as an advocate for patient rights, and coordinate with clinical teams to develop treatment plans in alignment with the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of patients
- Achieve patient satisfaction ratings of 91% by developing positive relationships and ensuring the delivery of quality care across all phases of treatment
- Provide education to patients and families on medical diagnosis, treatment plans, medication regimen, and long-term patient outlook
Physician Assistant, St. Joe’s Hospital, New York, NY
May 2017 – May 2019
- Collaborated with clinical teams, medical assistants, and physicians to deliver quality patient care and treatment, which included performing assessments, conducting intake interviews, monitoring vital signs, and providing emotional support
- Analyzed patient reactions to treatment, medications, and therapy, evaluated findings, and delivered medical reports to physicians to identify changes to treatment plans
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Physician Assistant Studies
Columbia University, New York, NY May 2015 – May 2017
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Health Sciences
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2011 – May 2015
Key Skills
- Patient-Centered Care
- Clinical Operations
- Continuous Improvement
- Communication
- Relationship Building
Certifications
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) State of New York, License #123456, 2017
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association (AHA), 2017
John Bergsen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A licensed Physician Assistant with 10+ years of healthcare work experience specializing in patient-centered care, team leadership, and clinical operations. A strong history of identifying opportunities to enhance clinical workflows and drive positive medical outcomes for patients.
Professional Experience
Lead Physician Assistant, St. Mark’s Hospital, Boston, MA
May 2016 – Present
- Oversee a team of 20+ nursing assistants and medical assistants in coordination with physicians for a 300-bed hospital with a 1:6 patient ratio and ensure compliance with quality care standards, HIPAA regulations, and hospital protocols
- Identify opportunities to enhance medical operations, streamline intake processes, and reduce patient wait times by 15%, resulting in a 93% patient satisfaction rating
- Conduct patient assessments and physical examinations to identify evidence-based treatment plans and administer medication as needed
Physician Assistant, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
May 2011 – May 2016
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to analyze patient symptoms and implement treatment plans based on age-related, emotional, and cultural needs
- Ensured the delivery of patient-centered care across all levels of a 150-bed medical center with a 1:5 patient ratio, which included serving as a patient advocate
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Physician Assistant Studies
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA May 2009 – May 2011
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Health Sciences
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA September 2005 – May 2009
Key Skills
- Patient-Centered Care
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Clinical Workflows
- Medical Triage
Certifications
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) State of Massachusetts, License #123456, 2011
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association (AHA), 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for physician assistant resumes?+
Action verbs help you convey the full impact of your previous job duties and responsibilities and help the hiring manager visualize you in the role. Action verbs are used at the beginning of bullets but can also be helpful in the profile section.
Good action verbs are specific. Consider the difference between “saw patients” and “evaluated and diagnosed 30 patients per day in the ER.” The second is more specific and provides a better picture of your day-to-day responsibilities. If you need some help picking engaging verbs, check out our list below:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administered | Analyzed |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Delivered | Developed |
| Diagnosed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Interfaced |
| Led | Managed |
| Performed | Provided |
| Supported | Treated |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for physician assistants was $126,010 in 2022, with a projected growth rate of 27% over the next 10 years. Despite the positive long-term outlook for this type of role, you’ll encounter no shortage of competition during the job search. In fact, salaries for physician assistant positions are nearly $50,000 higher than most nursing positions. This is why it’s important to carefully align your resume with the job description.
For example, if the organization focuses on patient-centered care, include examples of you advocating for diverse patient populations. If the job description mentions the role requires a strong background in cross-functional collaboration, you may feature instances of you coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to drive positive patient outcomes. By tailoring your content toward individual job postings, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.
What is the best physician assistant resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the ideal resume format for physician assistants. This ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured towards the top of your document. At the entry level, you may opt for a combination approach, which allows you to feature your skills and certifications above your work history. If you select a combination approach, be sure to include detailed bullet points to tell your story within the health care field properly.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Your cover letter introduces your resume. It should highlight your key career accomplishments, what makes you a good fit for the position, and why you want to work for this organization. Provide context on specific examples from your resume, but remember to focus on how you can help the organization — not the other way around. We’ve put together a resource with health care cover letter examples to help you get some ideas.
