How to write a physician assistant resume
A strong physician assistant resume leads with your NCCPA certification (PA-C), active state license, and DEA registration, then presents specialty-specific experience with numbers (e.g. 'Performed 400+ first-assist procedures in orthopedic surgery with a sub-1 percent complication rate'). Name your specialty, the procedures you are credentialed for, your EHR, and your supervising-physician collaboration. Use a clean single-column layout so ATS systems capture your credentials.
What recruiters and ATS look for in a physician assistant resume
PA resumes are screened for NCCPA certification, state licensure, and specialty fit. Recruiters and ATS filters look for PA-C, DEA registration, specialty keywords, procedures and privileges, EHR systems, and quantified clinical volume and outcomes.
Section order: Summary → Certifications & Licensure → Experience → Procedures & Skills → Education.
ATS keywords for a physician assistant resume
These are the keywords most physician assistant job descriptions use as ATS-filter inputs. Include the ones you genuinely have evidence for in your Skills section.
Starter Skills section
A starting point for your Skills section. Prune to what you genuinely have evidence for.
Best action verbs for physician assistant bullets
Lead every bullet with a strong, specific verb. For this role, the strongest openers are:
Example bullet points (before → after)
Three rewrites following the action-verb / quantified-outcome pattern. Replace the specifics with your own. Never invent numbers.
More physician assistant bullet examples
Three more starter bullets in the same pattern. Swap the bracketed placeholders for your real numbers.
Common physician assistant resume mistakes
The patterns that get physician assistant resumes filtered out, and what to do instead.
Physician Assistant resume FAQ
List PA-C and your NCCPA certification, state license, and DEA registration in a dedicated section near the top. 'PA-C' is a primary ATS filter term for every PA posting.
Yes. A Procedures & Skills section (suturing, central lines, first assist, joint injections) signals credentialed competency and matches specialty keyword screens.
Strongly. Lead with the specialty you are targeting (EM, ortho, derm, surgery) in your summary, since employers hire and filter to specialty.
Related guides: How to write a administrative assistant resume · How to write a executive assistant resume · How to write a medical assistant resume
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