Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: Measurable accomplishments, such as a 20% improvement in patient care and assisting in 200+ procedures, highlight the applicant’s tangible impact and value.
- Showcases career progression: Starting as a healthcare assistant managing consultations to becoming a physician assistant, the applicant narrates a clear story of career progression.
- Illustrates problem-solving ability: Implementing an admin process streamlining that improved efficiency by 15% illustrates keen problem-solving skills and initiative.
More Medical Resume Examples
Check out our medical resume samples to learn how to showcase your clinical skills, healthcare experience, and teamwork abilities. These examples will help you create a resume that stands out to employers in various medical settings.
Nurse Practitioner
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: By showcasing a master’s degree in nursing, the applicant illustrates a solid foundation in nursing that propels their early career achievements.
- Shows digital literacy: Highlighting computer skills like patient documentation and care coordination, the applicant shows readiness for tech-driven healthcare environments.
- Effective use of keywords: Strategically woven keywords such as “patient recovery,” “clinical assessment,” and “healthcare management” ensure the resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: By detailing outcomes like a 15% recovery rate increase, the applicant vividly illustrates their impact in transforming clinical environments through innovative care programs and staff training initiatives.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Language skills in Spanish, French, and German indicate the applicant’s ability to engage diverse patient populations.
- Clear contact information: A well-structured resume header streamlines contact information, ensuring potential employers can easily reach out to schedule an interview.
Medical Doctor
Why this resume works
- Lists relevant certifications: Listing certifications like Board Certified in Internal Medicine and ACLS highlights a commitment to maintaining expertise and staying updated in medicine.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Managing over 1,000 patient cases annually and improving satisfaction by 30% are standout accomplishments that reflect a focus on powerful health care delivery.
- Sections are well-organized: Using clear headers and bullet points, the applicant’s resume is structured for easy navigation, improving readability without overwhelming with details.
Physician Assistant Resume Template (Text Version)
Jane Rodriguez
Pinehill, TX 75759
(555)555-5555
Jane.Rodriguez@example.com
Professional Summary
Experienced Physician Assistant with expertise in patient care, improving clinic efficiency by 20% and supporting over 700+ consultations. Skilled in medical documentation and EMR systems.
Work History
Physician Assistant
Harmony Health Center – Pinehill, TX
August 2024 – August 2025
- Improved patient care by 20%
- Assisted in 200+ patient procedures
- Streamlined admin processes by 15%
Clinical Associate
Greenfield Hospital – Pinehill, TX
August 2023 – July 2024
- Managed 30% more patient records
- Facilitated 10+ clinic sessions weekly
- Enhanced staff efficiency by 15%
Healthcare Assistant
Riverside Medical Group – Houston, TX
August 2021 – July 2023
- Supported 300+ patient consultations
- Decreased wait times by 25%
- Organized 12 community health events
Skills
- Patient Care
- Medical Documentation
- Clinical Procedures
- EMR Systems
- Health Assessment
- Team Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Healthcare Administration
Certifications
- Certified Physician Assistant – National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
Education
Master’s Degree Physician Assistant Studies
University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois
June 2021
Bachelor’s Degree Biological Sciences
Illinois State University Normal, Illinois
June 2019
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
- German – Intermediate (B1)
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- Radiologist
- Radiology Technician
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Advice for Writing Your Physician Assistant Resume
Dive into our helpful advice on how to write a resume tailored for your physician assistant journey, and discover the best ways to highlight your medical expertise and dedication to patient care. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance, these tips will guide you in crafting a standout resume that showcases your unique skills and passion for healthcare.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary on a resume serves as an introduction to hiring managers, helping them quickly understand who you are and what you bring to the table. It’s essential to decide whether to use a summary or an objective based on your experience level.
A professional summary is typically three to four sentences long and highlights your experience, skills, and achievements. It’s best for experienced applicants who want to showcase their professional identity and the value they bring.
On the other hand, resume objectives focus on career goals and are ideal for entry-level applicants, career changers, or those with employment gaps. They highlight what you aim to contribute rather than past achievements. Think of it as “what I’ve accomplished” versus “what I aim to contribute.”
Now let’s look at examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for various industries and experience levels. See our library of professional resume examples for additional inspiration.
Physician assistant resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from an ARC-PA-accredited program. Holds NCCPA certification and has completed clinical rotations in internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency care. Equipped with foundational skills in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Eager to contribute to a healthcare team and deliver high-quality patient care.
Mid-career
Experienced physician assistant with over six years in primary care and urgent care settings. Skilled in conducting physical exams, managing chronic conditions, and performing minor procedures. Licensed in New York State and recognized for developing strong patient relationships and improving clinic workflow efficiency through collaborative efforts with medical staff.
Experienced
Veteran physician assistant specializing in cardiology with over 15 years of experience delivering comprehensive cardiac care. Certified by the NCCPA with additional training in echocardiography interpretation. Proven track record of leading clinical teams to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and innovative treatment strategies. Committed to advancing cardiac health education among patients and peers.
Physician assistant resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Dedicated and enthusiastic recent physician assistant program graduate eager to apply comprehensive medical knowledge and strong patient care skills in a collaborative healthcare environment. Committed to supporting physicians in delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes.
Career changer
Passionate healthcare professional transitioning into the role of physician assistant, with extensive experience in patient advocacy and clinical support. Excited to bring a unique perspective and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team while providing compassionate patient care.
Entry-level applicant
Detail-oriented entry-level physician assistant seeking an opportunity to use strong diagnostic abilities and patient communication skills in a progressive medical practice. Aiming to provide exceptional support to medical teams while fostering positive health experiences for patients.
Our Resume Builder makes it easy to highlight your skills and experience as a physician assistant, so you can impress potential employers and land more interviews.
Include relevant certifications and training
For a physician assistant, certifications and training show you have the needed skills for the job. They prove you are ready to handle medical tasks safely and well. Having these credentials is important because they ensure you’re up-to-date with medical standards and practices.
Create a dedicated section on your resume just for certifications so employers see them easily. Here are a few examples of relevant certifications for your resume:
- Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Infection Control Certification
Including certifications on your resume helps show that you’re prepared for the physician assistant role. It can make you stand out to employers by proving your readiness and dedication. Having the right certifications also means you’re equipped to provide great patient care.
Example of a certifications section
Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C)
Issued by: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Expires 2025
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Issued 2023
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Expires 2024
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Issued by: American Heart Association
Issued 2022
Choose a polished and well-organized resume template that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications to stand out to employers in the healthcare industry.
Showcase your work experience
Showing your work experience on a resume is important because it helps employers see what you’ve done in the past and how you can help them in the future. When you’re looking for a job as a physician assistant, list your jobs starting with the most recent one first.
Make sure to include your job title, the name of your employer, where you worked, and the dates you were there. Using clear words that show action will help make your experience stand out.
When describing your work, try to use examples that show what you achieved. For instance, instead of saying “helped patients,” you might say “assisted in managing care for over 100 patients per week.” This shows exactly what you did and how it made a difference.
As a physician assistant, talk about responsibilities like conducting patient exams, diagnosing illnesses, and assisting in surgeries, since these are things employers look for.
Keep everything simple so it’s easy to read quickly. Focus on how you played an important role in patient care by supporting doctors and other healthcare workers. Sharing numbers or specific results whenever possible makes your contributions even clearer.
5 physician assistant work history bullet points
- Conducted over 1,000 patient assessments annually, contributing to a 20% increase in clinic efficiency.
- Collaborated with physicians to develop treatment plans, improving patient recovery rates by 15%.
- Managed pre-operative and post-operative care for surgical patients, decreasing complication rates by 10%.
- Educated patients on preventive health measures, resulting in a 25% boost in adherence to follow-up appointments.
- Streamlined electronic medical record systems, reducing documentation errors by 30%.
Choose a resume format that highlights your patient care, clinical skills, and teamwork for the strongest impact.
Match your resume with the job description
Tailoring your resume to the job description is essential because it helps you stand out to employers and ensures your application passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS). An ATS-friendly resume incorporates keywords that match the skills listed in the job description.
By doing this, you improve your chances of being noticed by hiring managers who rely on ATS software to filter applications. This approach not only improves your resume’s compatibility but also highlights your ability to meet employer expectations.
To identify the right keywords for a physician assistant resume, carefully review job postings and note the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities that are repeated. Common examples may include patient care, diagnostic evaluations, clinical assessments, treatment planning, and healthcare team collaboration. You should customize your resume by naturally incorporating these key phrases.
For example, instead of writing “Assist with patient care,” you could say “Delivered comprehensive patient care by conducting diagnostic evaluations, performing clinical assessments, and supporting treatment planning to improve patient outcomes.” This approach mirrors the language employers use while clearly showcasing your expertise and impact as a physician assistant.
Make your resume stand out! Use our ATS Resume Checker to quickly scan and get tips for improving your document so it catches the eye of hiring managers.
Salary Insights for Physician Assistants
Researching salary data can help you make informed decisions about your career path and negotiation strategy. Explore key insights below to guide your research.
Top 10 highest-paying states for physician assistants
Physician Assistants earn varying salaries across the United States, with a national average of $132,448. The table below highlights the states where physician assistants command the highest compensation.
Our salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. This official government data provides the most comprehensive and reliable salary information for physician assistants across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The figures presented here reflect the May 2025 dataset, which is the most recent available as of this publication.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $161,980 |
| Washington | $156,060 |
| Oregon | $152,160 |
| New York | $151,280 |
| New Jersey | $149,160 |
| Rhode Island | $148,290 |
| Indiana | $144,210 |
| Connecticut | $144,060 |
| District of Columbia | $144,260 |
| Minnesota | $144,940 |
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my physician assistant resume?
Yes, including a well-crafted cover letter with your physician assistant resume can make you stand out to potential employers.
A cover letter provides an opportunity to highlight your enthusiasm for the specific role and express how your skills align with the healthcare team’s needs.
For instance, if the clinic specializes in a particular area like pediatrics or geriatrics, you can discuss any related experience or passion you have for that specialty.
Consider using our Cover Letter Generator to tailor your cover letter effectively. This tool ensures it aligns with the job description and highlights your unique qualifications.
Additionally, exploring cover letter examples can offer inspiration and guidance on structuring your own letter while showcasing your expertise.
How long should a physician assistant’s resume be?
For a physician assistant early in their career, a one-page resume is generally sufficient. This format allows you to succinctly present your education, clinical rotations, and key skills without overwhelming the reader.
However, if you have extensive experience or advanced certifications, a two-page resume might be more appropriate. This gives you the space to detail your specialized skills and significant accomplishments in various healthcare settings.
Ultimately, how long a resume should be depends on your individual career history. Make sure every detail is relevant and adds value to your application.
How do you write a physician assistant resume with no experience?
To craft a resume with no experience for a physician assistant position, highlight your education, clinical training, and transferable skills to showcase your potential in the role. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Highlight your education: Include your degree in physician assistant studies prominently. Mention any academic achievements, research projects, or coursework related to patient care and medical procedures.
- Use clinical rotations: List all of your clinical rotations as practical experience. Detail the specific tasks you performed, such as conducting physical exams, assisting in surgeries, or managing treatment plans under supervision.
- Showcase relevant certifications: Include certifications like BLS or ACLS that align with common physician assistant responsibilities. This reinforces your readiness for patient care.
- Focus on transferable skills: Emphasize skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability that are valuable in healthcare settings. Volunteer work or shadowing experiences can also provide evidence of these abilities.
A well-structured resume with no experience should highlight what makes you capable and eager to excel as a physician assistant.
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