Physician Assistant Resume Example
Professional Physician Assistant resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight clinical rotations, diagnostic skills, and patient management experience to land PA roles.
Last Updated: 2026-02-02 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Physician Assistant Resume Example
James Whitfield
james.whitfield@email.com
(555) 483-6219
Phoenix, AZ
linkedin.com/in/jameswhitfield-pa
Skills
Certifications
Education
Profile
NCCPA-certified Physician Assistant with 5+ years of experience in emergency medicine and urgent care. Evaluated and managed 25+ patients per shift across a full spectrum of acute presentations. Recognized for reducing average door-to-disposition time by 18% through optimized clinical workflows.
Professional Experience
- —Evaluate and manage 25-30 patients per 12-hour shift in a Level I trauma center with 90,000+ annual ED visits, independently managing low-to-moderate acuity cases
- —Perform advanced procedures including laceration repair, abscess I&D, fracture reduction, joint aspiration, and lumbar punctures with a 99.2% procedural success rate
- —Spearheaded a fast-track protocol for ESI level 4-5 patients that decreased average door-to-disposition time by 18% and improved patient throughput by 22%
- —Collaborated with attending physicians, residents, and nursing staff to manage critical cases including STEMI activations, stroke alerts, and trauma resuscitations
- —Independently evaluated and treated 35-40 patients daily for acute injuries, infections, and chronic disease exacerbations, maintaining a 96% patient satisfaction rating
- —Performed point-of-care diagnostics including rapid strep, influenza, COVID-19 testing, and EKG interpretation, with same-day treatment initiation in 98% of cases
- —Reduced unnecessary emergency department referrals by 24% through expanded scope of services including splinting, wound closure, and IV fluid administration
Why This Resume Works:
- Quantified achievements with specific metrics
- Keywords match common job descriptions
- Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
- Strong action verbs throughout
How to Write a Physician Assistant Resume
Professional Summary
Open with your PA-C certification, specialty area, and years of experience. Include daily patient volume and a key achievement with metrics. Mention your supervising physician relationship only if the employer values it.
Work Experience
Quantify patient encounters per shift and procedural volumes. Highlight autonomous decision-making, procedures performed, and clinical outcomes. Demonstrate how you contributed to department-wide improvements.
Skills Section
List diagnostic and procedural skills specific to your specialty. Include point-of-care testing competencies and prescriptive authority. Mention EHR proficiency and any advanced procedural training.
Action Verbs for Physician Assistants
Physician Assistant Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Physician Assistant job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Differential DiagnosisPatient EvaluationClinical AssessmentTreatment PlanningProcedural SkillsPrescriptive AuthorityPoint-of-Care TestingAcute Care ManagementChronic Disease ManagementEmergency MedicineUrgent CarePrimary CareIndustry Keywords
NCCPA CertificationCollaborative Practice AgreementScope of PracticeCME RequirementsHIPAA ComplianceEvidence-Based MedicineQuality MetricsPatient SafetyRisk ManagementInterprofessional CareTools & Technologies
EpicCernerAthenahealthT-System (ED Documentation)PACS (Radiology Viewing)Butterfly iQ (Point-of-Care Ultrasound)UpToDateDynaMedMDCalcDoximityI-STAT Blood AnalyzerCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Not specifying patient volume or acuity level
Always state patients per shift and the clinical setting acuity: "Managed 25-30 patients per shift in a Level I trauma center" provides critical context.
Failing to list procedures performed
Create a dedicated Procedures section or integrate procedure types and volumes into your experience bullets. Procedural competency is a key differentiator for PA roles.
Omitting NCCPA certification status
PA-C certification should appear in your name header (e.g., "James Whitfield, PA-C") and in a dedicated Certifications section. It is the most critical credential.
Not tailoring the resume to the specific specialty
Customize for each application. An EM-focused resume should emphasize trauma and acute care; a primary care resume should highlight chronic disease management and preventive care.
Physician Assistant Resume FAQs
Should I include PA-C after my name on my resume?
Yes. Use the format "FirstName LastName, PA-C" at the top of your resume. This immediately identifies you as a certified physician assistant. If you hold additional credentials, list the most relevant ones (e.g., "PA-C, DFAAPA").
How do I handle clinical rotations on a PA resume?
If you have less than 2 years of professional experience, include clinical rotations in a dedicated section with the specialty, site name, and hours completed. More experienced PAs can omit rotations in favor of professional experience.
What is the best resume format for a Physician Assistant?
Use a reverse chronological format with sections for Summary, Certifications & Licensure, Clinical Experience, Procedures, Education, and Skills. Keep it to 1-2 pages depending on experience length.
How important is CME on a PA resume?
While listing all CME credits is unnecessary, highlight advanced training courses relevant to the position (e.g., ATLS, PALS, emergency ultrasound courses). These show commitment to professional development.
Should I mention my supervising physician?
Generally no. Focus on your own clinical competencies and achievements. If the role specifically values collaborative practice experience, briefly mention the collaborative model you worked under without naming the physician.
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Last updated: 2026-02-02 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts