Whether it's time to take your first step into healthcare or to take your physician assistant career to the next level, there's never been a better time to make the jump. Medical professionals are in high demand and the perfect position could be yours – if you can create a stellar physician assistant resume. We're here to help.
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With 300+ occupation-specific resume examples and writing guides, Resume.io is an expert resource for candidates in all industries and stages of their careers. Here's what we'll cover in this writing guide and the accompanying physician assistant resume example:
- What does a physician assistant do?
- How to write a physician assistant resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a physician assistant resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a physician assistant do?
Physician assistants are advanced medical professionals who develop and manage treatment plans under the supervision of a physician. They diagnose illnesses, oversee patient care, perform physical evaluations, prescribe medications, and even act as the primary healthcare provider for some patients. Physician assistants can work in hospitals, medical offices, community health centers, nursing homes, clinics, educational facilities, workplaces, and a variety of other institutions. Physician assistants consult with physicians to make beneficial decisions based on the condition of patients.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for physician assistants will increase by 31 percent over the coming decade. Much of this demand will come from an aging population in need of medical care.
How to write a physician assistant resume
The very first step in writing your physician assistant resume is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The education section
- The resume skills section
A successful physician assistant resume should clearly showcase the necessary education, certifications, and clinical experience necessary for a physician assistant to practice. Creating a strong profile section that effectively summarizes your abilities, expertise, and accomplishments is recommended. When filling in your Employment history you should also be sure to include job specific skills and duties that clearly convey your ability and acquired comprehensive knowledge as a physician assistant. Be sure to call attention to your ability to provide optimal patient care in a variety of health settings in cooperation with a physician. A winning physician assistant resume should showcase a motivated attitude and the ability to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care.
Choosing the best resume format for a physician assistant
For physician assistants and other medical professionals, the reverse chronological resume format is the best choice. This format centers on the employment history section where you'll be able to show off your previous experience in the field. Since physician assistants are required to have some sort of hands-on training in order to enter the field, an employment history section will be essential.
While other resume formats exist, we don't recommend them for physician assistants. The reverse chronological format is preferred by both hiring managers and the automated resume scanners built into most online application portals.
For even more ideas on writing a great application, make sure to check out our related medical resume examples including our healthcare resume sample, CNA resume sample and doctor resume example.
Resume summary example
The resume summary occupies the space at the top of your resume and is the place to highlight your biggest accomplishments and attributes. These 3-5 sentences are the one place you'll be able to speak directly to the hiring manager and tell them about your goals and experience. Physician assistants play a vital part in the healthcare of patients, so highlighting your key attributes that emphasize your ability to provide excellent patient care is crucial. See the summary from our adaptable resume example below.
Dedicated and experienced physician assistant aiming to use my abilities and strengths to support the mission and goals of the next medical institution I join. Bringing forth expertise in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care. Compassionate, highly skilled, and adept in collaborating professionally with other healthcare professionals to meet the needs of patients.
Employment history sample
The employment history section is the place to list all positions relevant to a physician assistant position. Make sure to include the employer name, job title, dates worked and location. In the bullet points, it's important to use powerful action verbs and mention job specific accomplishments and duties that prove you are an excellent candidate. Below you'll find the employment history section from our resume sample.
- Provided excellent medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician.
- Assisted patients during the recovery process from acute and chronic illnesses.
- Collaborated with the health care team to establish and manage patient care.
- Assisted Physicians with procedures, including pre, post, and follow-up care.
- Documented all medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes in accordance with NCQA.
CV skills example
Your skills are some of the most important details you'll convey on your CV, but you'll want to approach this section with care. Since it's usually formatted as bullet points, it's best to choose shorter skills and areas of expertise that you ween't able to highlight on other parts of your CV. This section should built a coherent picture of your specialization, if you have one. Check out the skills section from our resume sample below.
- Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Patient Care Plans
- Advanced Communication Skills
- Program Development Skills
- Collaboration Skills
- Ethical and Compassionate
Physician assistant resume education example
Physician assistants go through many years of schooling and exams in order to practice their profession. The education section of your resume is the place to show off all those degrees and honors while proving that you're qualified for the role. Make sure to include your grades if they are impressive. Since you almost certainly hold advanced degrees, there's no need to include your high school. Below you'll find the education section from our adaptable resume sample.
- 2000-2004 Albany Medical College, Master of Physician Assistant Studies Albany, NY
- 1996-2000 University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minneapolis, MN
Resume layout and design
While a physician assistant resume doesn't need to go overboard with color or creativity, an attractive and functional layout and design can make the difference when it comes to standing out as a polished candidate. Make sure to keep a balance of white space to text and stick with the same font styles, sizes and color scheme throughout the resume. A professionally-designed resume template can help avoid costly formatting errors.
Key takeaways for a physician assistant resume
- There's a high demand for physician assistants – a great resume can lead to your dream job!
- Make sure to quantify your experience in your employment history section.
- Check out our adaptable physician assistant resume sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.
