Physician Assistant Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Physician Assistant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Physician assistants are highly trained healthcare professionals who work alongside doctors to provide patients with routine care and help them manage chronic conditions. They’re also great at performing physicals, conducting exams, ordering tests, and prescribing medications.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant but aren’t sure where to begin your job search, here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a winning physician assistant resume that will get you hired.
How to Write a Physician Assistant Resume
Here’s how to write a physician assistant resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will see. And they have to be compelling enough to make them want to read the rest of your resume.
So rather than just listing your responsibilities, you should use bullet points to describe how you contributed to the organization and what results you achieved.
Related What Is a Physician Assistant? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a physician assistant (PA) role, your resume is likely to be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for certain terms related to the job, like “patient care” and “clinical skills,” in order to determine whether your experience is a match for the job opening. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
In order to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS, focus on including relevant keywords throughout all sections of your document. You can find a list of common physician assistant keywords below:
- Medicine
- Medicine
- Hospitals
- Healthcare
- Healthcare Management
- PAs
- Surgery
- Wellness
- Physician Assistants
- Public Health
- Healthcare Information Technology (HIT)
- Clinical Research
- Patient Safety
- Family Medicine
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Medical Education
- Primary Care
- Urgent Care
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Clinical Skills
- Dermatology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Surgery
- General Surgery
- Inpatient Care
- Physical Therapy
- Outpatient Care
- Hospitals
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Physician assistants use a variety of technology in their work, from patient tracking software to electronic health records (EHR) systems. So it’s important for them to list their technical skills prominently on their resumes.
By doing so, you can show that you’re familiar with the essential tools and systems used in your field. Additionally, highlighting your technical skills can set you apart from other candidates and make you a more desirable hire.
Related: How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
When formatting your resume, it is important to make it easy to read and understand. This includes using left-aligned text, a standard font type and size, and limited use of bolding, italics, and all-caps. You should also try to use no more than two lines per bullet point and have a separate skills section. Finally, make sure your formatting is consistent throughout the document.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but a one-page resume is usually best for recent graduates and those with less than five to eight years of professional experience. If you have more experience than that, you can use a two-page resume, but be selective about what you include. Remember to focus on the most relevant information and to tailor the resume to the specific role you are applying for.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is essential to ensuring that it looks its best. Spellchecking is a good first step, but it is not enough. You should also have a friend proofread your resume for you. Be on the lookout for common mistakes, such as incorrect punctuation, incorrect verb tense, and common misspellings.
Consider Including a Summary
If you’re looking for a new job, a resume summary statement can be a great way to introduce yourself to potential employers and explain how your skills and experience will benefit their company. A well-written summary can also show that you have a clear idea of what you want to do next and highlight your most relevant skills. When putting together your summary, be sure to focus on your best traits and use clear, concise language. Keep it short and to the point, and you’ll be sure to make a great first impression.
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