Physician Assistant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Physician Assistant Resume examples
At 7:15 AM, Sam reviews patient charts from yesterday's emergency department cases while sipping lukewarm coffee. By 8:30, she's examining Mrs. Ramirez's persistent cough, then suturing a construction worker's hand laceration before noon. After a quick lunch (eaten standing up), she's conferring with Dr. Wilson about a complicated diabetes case, then spending 20 minutes explaining a new medication regimen to an elderly patient who's struggling to manage multiple prescriptions. This balancing act between autonomous patient care and collaborative medical practice defines the Physician Assistant role—a profession that's grown by a remarkable 31% since 2019.
PAs increasingly serve as primary care providers in underserved communities, where their combination of diagnostic skills and compassionate care makes them invaluable team members. The profession has evolved dramatically in recent years, with many states expanding PA practice authority to address physician shortages. With Medicare now directly reimbursing for PA services in many settings, career paths are opening in specialized fields from dermatology to emergency medicine. As healthcare continues its shift toward team-based models, PAs stand at the intersection of accessibility and expertise—perfectly positioned to shape tomorrow's medical landscape.
Junior Physician Assistant Resume Example
SARAH MORENO, PA-C
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8762 | sarah.moreno@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahmoreno
Recent Physician Assistant graduate with clinical rotations in family medicine, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. Experienced in patient assessment, treatment planning, and electronic medical records. Passionate about preventative care and patient education with strong communication skills. Seeking to leverage my training and compassionate approach to patient care in a collaborative healthcare setting.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Graduated: May 2022 | GPA: 3.87/4.0
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Psychology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Graduated: May 2020 | GPA: 3.75/4.0
LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS
Pennsylvania State Physician Assistant License #PA12345 (2022-present)
NCCPA Board Certification (2022-present)
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (2020-present)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification (2021-present)
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Physician Assistant | Penn Medicine Primary Care, Philadelphia, PA | August 2022 – Present
- Manage a panel of 8-12 patients daily, conducting comprehensive physical exams and developing treatment plans under physician supervision
- Document patient encounters in Epic EMR system, maintaining 94% completion rate within 24 hours
- Perform procedures including joint injections, suturing, incision and drainage, and skin biopsies
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to coordinate care for patients with chronic conditions
- Provide patient education on medication management, preventive care, and lifestyle modifications
Clinical Rotations | Various Locations | June 2021 – April 2022
- Emergency Medicine (Temple University Hospital) – Managed acute presentations including chest pain, respiratory distress, and trauma; performed procedures including laceration repair, I&D, and splinting
- Family Medicine (Abington Family Medicine) – Conducted well-child visits, annual physicals, and managed chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and COPD
- Internal Medicine (Penn Presbyterian Medical Center) – Participated in daily rounds, developed differential diagnoses, and managed in-patient care for complex medical cases
- Women’s Health (Reading Hospital) – Assisted with prenatal care, well-woman exams, and contraceptive counseling
Patient Care Technician | UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, PA | September 2019 – May 2020
- Assisted nursing staff with patient care activities including vital signs, ADLs, and specimen collection
- Responded to patient call lights and communicated patient needs to appropriate healthcare team members
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient care activities and vital signs in electronic medical record
SKILLS
- Clinical Skills: Physical assessment, differential diagnosis, suturing, joint injections, I&D procedures
- Electronic Medical Records: Epic, Cerner, Allscripts
- Diagnostic Interpretation: ECG, basic lab values, X-rays
- Patient Education: Medication management, preventive care, chronic disease management
- Communication: Interdisciplinary collaboration, patient interviewing, cultural competency
- Languages: Fluent in English and conversational Spanish
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA)
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Medical Volunteer | Philadelphia Health Care Clinic | Monthly since October 2022
Provide primary care services to underserved populations at free community clinic
Mid-level Physician Assistant Resume Example
Emily J. Morales, PA-C
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8976 | emilymorales.pa@email.com | linkedin.com/in/emilymoralespa
Dedicated Physician Assistant with 5+ years of experience in emergency medicine and primary care settings; Strong clinical skills in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning with a focus on delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. Known for clear communication with both patients and healthcare teams, particularly in high-pressure situations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – Philadelphia, PA
June 2021 – Present
- Evaluate and manage 15-20 patients per shift with varying acuity levels in a Level I trauma center
- Perform procedures including central line placement, lumbar punctures, laceration repairs, and joint injections
- Collaborate with ED physicians to create treatment plans for complex cases, reducing patient wait times by 14%
- Precept PA students during clinical rotations (started Jan 2023), providing hands-on training and evaluation
- Participate in monthly M&M conferences to improve departmental protocols and patient outcomes
Primary Care Physician Assistant
Jefferson Family Medicine Associates – Philadelphia, PA
July 2019 – May 2021
- Managed a panel of ~1,200 patients, providing comprehensive care for acute and chronic conditions
- Implemented a diabetes management program that improved A1C levels in 78% of participating patients
- Conducted well-child visits, women’s health exams, and geriatric assessments
- Coordinated care with specialists and social services to address complex patient needs
Physician Assistant
Urgent Care of Cherry Hill – Cherry Hill, NJ
August 2018 – June 2019
- Diagnosed and treated patients with acute non-life-threatening conditions in a fast-paced urgent care setting
- Performed minor procedures including I&D of abscesses, splinting, and wound care
- Managed 6-8 patients per hour while maintaining 92% positive patient satisfaction scores
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Thomas Jefferson University – Philadelphia, PA
Graduated: May 2018
Bachelor of Science in Biology
University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA
Graduated: May 2015
Certifications:
- NCCPA Board Certification (renewed 2022)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- DEA License (current)
SKILLS
- Clinical assessment & diagnosis
- Suturing & wound management
- Electronic Medical Records (Epic, Cerner)
- Joint injections & aspirations
- Interpreting lab results & imaging
- Patient education
- Spanish (conversational)
- Chronic disease management
- Procedural sedation monitoring
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA)
- Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA) – joined 2021
Senior / Experienced Physician Assistant Resume Example
Sarah T. Nichols, PA-C
Pittsburgh, PA | 412-555-8976 | s.nichols.pa@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/sarahnichols-pa
Board-certified Physician Assistant with 9+ years of experience in orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine. Known for exceptional patient care and clinical judgment across diverse patient populations. Demonstrated success in reducing post-op complications by 31% through implementation of enhanced recovery protocols. Adept at collaborating with interdisciplinary teams while maintaining a patient-centered approach to medicine.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) | Pittsburgh, PA | 05/2019 – Present
- First-assist in over 1,200 orthopedic procedures annually, including total joint replacements, arthroscopies, and complex trauma cases
- Supervise team of 4 PAs and coordinate clinical schedules, resulting in 27% improvement in OR utilization
- Developed post-op pain management protocol that cut opioid prescriptions by 42% while maintaining patient satisfaction scores above 93%
- Conduct comprehensive pre and post-operative assessments for 15-18 patients daily
- Spearheaded implementation of telemedicine follow-up program, reducing unnecessary in-person visits by 31% during COVID-19
Physician Assistant, Emergency Medicine
Allegheny General Hospital | Pittsburgh, PA | 06/2016 – 04/2019
- Managed care for patients with acuity levels 3-5 in Level I trauma center with 78,000+ annual visits
- Performed emergency procedures including laceration repairs, I&D of abscesses, fracture reductions, and central line placements
- Cut average door-to-provider time from 47 to 29 minutes through workflow optimization
- Precepted 7 PA students, creating streamlined orientation program now adopted department-wide
Physician Assistant, Internal Medicine
West Penn Medical Associates | Pittsburgh, PA | 08/2014 – 05/2016
- Provided comprehensive primary care services to panel of 1,200+ adult patients
- Managed chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and heart failure
- Implemented medication reconciliation protocol that reduced prescription errors by 23%
- Coordinated care with specialists and social services to improve outcomes for complex patients
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Chatham University | Pittsburgh, PA | 2014
Bachelor of Science, Biology (minor in Psychology)
University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | 2012
Certifications:
- NCCPA Board Certification (renewed 2020)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Orthopedic Surgery PA Certificate Program, AAPA (2018)
SKILLS
- Clinical: Joint injections, fracture management, wound care, suturing (simple/complex), I&D procedures, casting
- Diagnostics: X-ray interpretation, lab analysis, EKG interpretation, ultrasound-guided procedures
- EMR Systems: Epic, Cerner, Allscripts, NextGen
- Languages: Conversational Spanish
- Leadership: Staff training, clinical protocol development, quality improvement initiatives
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA)
- Society for PAs in Orthopedic Surgery (SPAOS)
How to Write a Physician Assistant Resume
Introduction
Landing your dream Physician Assistant position starts with a resume that showcases your clinical skills, medical knowledge, and patient care experience. With PA jobs projected to grow 31% through 2030 (much faster than average!), competition is heating up. Your resume isn't just a formality—it's your ticket to getting that interview. Having reviewed hundreds of PA resumes during my time as a healthcare recruiter, I've seen what works and what gets filed in the "no" pile.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your PA resume clean and scannable. Most hiring managers spend just 7.4 seconds on initial resume screening!
- Length: Stick to 1-2 pages (one page for those with
- Font: Use professional, readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond (10-12pt)
- Headers: Make section headers stand out with bold formatting
- Margins: Keep at 0.5-1 inch on all sides
- File format: Save as PDF unless specifically requested otherwise
Clinic manager perspective: "When I'm looking at 75+ applications for one PA position, I immediately notice resumes with clear organization and consistent formatting. It signals professionalism before I read a single word."
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a punchy 3-4 sentence summary highlighting your PA specialty, years of experience, and biggest strengths. Tailor this section for each job application. For example:
Weak: "Dedicated PA seeking position in orthopedics."
Strong: "Board-certified PA with 6+ years in orthopedic surgery, specializing in sports medicine and post-surgical care. Experienced in joint injections, casting, and developing rehab protocols that reduced patient recovery time by 17% at Valley Sports Medicine."
Professional Experience
This is the meat of your resume. List positions in reverse chronological order with employer name, location, your title, and dates. For each role, include 4-6 bullet points focusing on:
- Clinical procedures you performed independently
- Patient populations served (volume, demographics, conditions)
- Specific outcomes you achieved (reduced wait times, improved patient satisfaction scores)
- Collaborations with healthcare teams
- EMR/EHR systems you've mastered
Quantify whenever possible! "Managed caseload of 22-28 patients daily" is much stronger than "Saw many patients."
Education and Certifications
List your PA program, degree earned, and graduation date. Include your NCCPA certification status, state licenses, DEA number (note: just mention you have one, don't list the actual number), and relevant continuing education. For newer PAs, place this section before experience. Seasoned PAs, put it after.
- PANCE certification status and date
- BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications
- Specialty certifications (CAQ, etc.)
- State licenses with numbers and expiration dates
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most healthcare employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Include keywords from the job posting to get past these digital gatekeepers. Common PA-specific keywords:
- Clinical skills: "suturing," "joint injections," "wound care"
- Diagnostic procedures: "I&D," "endoscopy," "casting"
- EMR systems: "Epic," "Cerner," "Allscripts"
- Medication management: "prescription authority," "medication reconciliation"
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle your resume with medical terminology relevant to your specialty. For primary care, mention "preventative care," "chronic disease management," and "health maintenance." For emergency medicine, include "trauma assessment," "rapid sequence intubation," and "procedural sedation." This demonstrates your fluency in your specialty's language.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic terms like "responsible for patient care" instead of specific clinical duties
- Listing every rotation from PA school (experienced PAs should focus on work history)
- Including references or "References available upon request" (assumed)
- Using first-person pronouns ("I," "my," "we")
- Going overboard with medical abbreviations that hiring managers outside your specialty might not know
Your PA resume should be as precise and effective as your clinical work. Update it regularly with new skills, certifications, and accomplishments—even when you're not actively job hunting. The best time to polish your resume is before you need it!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Physician Assistant resume
- Cross-functional communication with nurses, doctors, and specialists (developed through 5+ years of ER rotations)
- Patient rapport building – particularly with anxious patients and those dealing with chronic conditions
- Quick clinical decision-making under pressure (refined during weekend shifts when physician staffing was limited)
- Mediating between patient needs and insurance constraints
- Mentoring junior PAs and medical students – both formally and informally
- Adaptable charting skills across multiple EMR systems (Epic, Cerner, and Meditech)
Hard skills for your Physician Assistant resume
- Suturing (including simple, complex and layered closure techniques)
- 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac rhythm analysis
- Joint injections and aspirations (knee, shoulder, ankle)
- Epic EMR documentation and eClinicalWorks proficiency
- Central line placement and arterial line management
- Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS)
- Diagnostic imaging interpretation (X-ray, CT, ultrasound basics)
- Minor surgical procedures (I&D, skin biopsy, cyst removal)
- Point-of-care ultrasound for line placement and FAST exams