Resume

General Surgery Physician Assistant Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this General Surgery Physician Assistant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

General surgery is one of the most highly regarded specialties in medicine. General surgeons are highly trained medical professionals who have mastered the art of diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions.

They’re skilled at performing surgery on everything from cancerous tumors to broken bones, and they have a deep understanding of human anatomy. General surgeons are also highly trained in emergency medicine, so they can respond quickly and effectively when emergencies arise in the hospital or on the scene of an accident.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a general surgeon but aren’t sure where to start with your resume, here are some tips and an example to help you write yours.

Michael Garcia
Los Angeles, CA | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Physician assistant with 10 years of experience in general surgery. Proven ability to provide quality patient care, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with surgeons to provide the best possible care for patients.

Education
Touro University Nevada Jun '10
M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jun '06
B.S. in Health Sciences
Experience
Company A, General Surgery Physician Assistant Jan '17 – Current
  • Performed surgical procedures, including but not limited to: open and closed reduction of fractures; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; appendectomies; hernia repair; thoracoscopy for lung biopsy or drainage; lumbar puncture under fluoroscopic guidance.
  • Assisted in the care of patients pre-and post-operatively, as well as during hospitalization.
  • Documented all clinical encounters according to established guidelines and ensured that appropriate follow up is provided for patient care issues identified during the encounter.
  • Participated in quality improvement activities within the department and participated in educational opportunities regarding general surgery topics when available.
  • Maintained current knowledge of new developments related to specialty practice areas through participation in professional development activities, reading professional publications, etc., as applicable.
Company B, General Surgery Physician Assistant Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including endoscopy, suturing, applying bandages and administering medication as needed
  • Prepared surgical instruments and equipment for use in operations under the supervision of a surgeon
  • Assisted with laparoscopic surgery by holding retractors, cutting sutures and applying clips to bleeding vessels
  • Collaborated with medical team members to ensure continuity of care for patients throughout their treatment process
  • Communicated clearly with patients about diagnosis and treatment options based on physician’s orders
Company C, Surgical Technician Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Assisted the surgeon during procedures by passing instruments and other necessary supplies.
  • Maintained a sterile environment in the operating room by following strict protocol.
  • Prepared the operating room for surgery by setting up the necessary equipment and instruments.
Certifications
  • Certified Physician Assistant
  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
  • Certified Surgical First Assistant
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Medical Terminology, Surgical Procedures, Patient Care, Operating Room Procedures, Patient History, Medical Records
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, EHR, Practice Management Systems
Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Time Management, Leadership, Public Speaking

How to Write a General Surgery Physician Assistant Resume

Here’s how to write a general surgery physician assistant resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

When it comes to writing bullet points, the more specific you can be, the better. Rather than saying you “provided patient care,” you could say that you “provided care for 20 patients during morning shift, including 10 emergency room patients and 10 clinic patients, and provided care for 15 patients during afternoon shift, including 5 emergency room patients and 10 clinic patients.”

The second bullet point is much more specific and provides a clear picture of what you did and how many patients you cared for. It also provides a clear number (30 patients total) and a clear timeline (two shifts).

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

In order to be considered for a general surgery physician assistant (PA) position, you’ll need to submit an application that includes relevant work experience and skills. You can use the keywords listed below as a starting point to identify the most important terms to include in your resume.

  • Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Medicine
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitals
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatrics
  • Medical Education
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Operating Room
  • Inpatient Care
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Medicine & Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Intraoperative Fluid Management
  • Acute Care
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Surgery Procedures
  • Surgery Support
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Operating Room Nurse
  • Phlebotomy
  • Cardiac Surgery Support
  • Pre-operative Teaching

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a general surgery physician assistant, you will need to be proficient in a number of software programs and systems in order to do your job effectively. This might include familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) software, surgical scheduling software, and medical billing software. Additionally, you will need to be able to use technology to communicate with other members of the healthcare team, including surgeons, nurses, and other physician assistants.

Some of the programs and systems that general surgery physician assistants are typically expected to be proficient in include: Allscripts, Cerner, McKesson, and Epic.

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