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Physician Assistant New Grad Resume Examples & Templates

Kickstart your career with our physician assistant new grad resume examples. Showcase your clinical skills and patient communication abilities to stand out to employers and secure that first job.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: December 4, 2025

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Jane Williams

San Diego, CA 92115
(555)555-5555
Jane.Williams@example.com

Skills

  • Patient Management
  • Healthcare Coordination
  • Clinical Diagnostics
  • EHR Systems
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Medical Documentation
  • Patient Education
  • Team Collaboration

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Intermediate (B1)
  • Chinese - Beginner (A1)

Professional Summary

Compassionate Physician Assistant with 7 years of diverse experience. Proven abilities in patient management and care plan development. Excel in healthcare coordination and patient advocacy.

Work History

Physician Assistant New Grad
Riverside Medical Group - San Diego, CA
June 2025 - November 2025

  • Assisted in 30+ patient evaluations monthly
  • Developed care plans with a 20% success boost
  • Managed patient records using EHR systems

Clinical Intern
Harmony Health Center - San Diego, CA
June 2023 - May 2025

  • Conducted 15 weekly patient interviews
  • Coordinated lab tests reducing wait times by 15%
  • Ensured compliance with 100% accuracy

Medical Assistant
Meadowbrook Clinic - San Francisco, CA
June 2018 - May 2023

  • Recorded vitals for 50 patients weekly
  • Assisted with minor procedures aiding 20% efficiency
  • Scheduled appointments improving workflow by 25%

Certifications

  • Certified Physician Assistant - National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association

Education

Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois
May 2023

Bachelor of Science Health Sciences
Illinois State University Normal, Illinois
May 2018

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How to Write a Physician Assistant New Grad Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers see, making it important for creating a lasting impression. This section is your chance to showcase your qualifications and demonstrate how you align with the role of a physician assistant.

As a new graduate, focus on highlighting your clinical skills, patient care experiences, and any relevant internships or rotations. These elements will help convey your readiness for the demands of the job.

To guide you in crafting an effective summary, here are some examples that illustrate effective strategies and common pitfalls:

Weak resume summary

I am a new graduate physician assistant with some clinical rotations and basic skills. I hope to find a job where I can learn more and grow professionally. A supportive workplace that values teamwork is what I'm looking for. I believe I would be a great addition if given the chance.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about the job seeker's clinical experience, making it vague
  • Emphasizes what the applicant desires from the job instead of highlighting unique strengths or contributions
  • Uses generic phrases that do not effectively showcase qualifications or enthusiasm for the role

Strong resume summary

Compassionate and dedicated physician assistant new graduate with hands-on clinical experience in primary care and emergency medicine. Successfully managed patient cases during rotations, achieving a 20% improvement in patient satisfaction scores through effective communication and empathetic care. Proficient in physical examinations, patient assessments, and electronic health record systems.

Why this summary works:
  • Starts with a clear identification of the job seeker's role and recent graduation status
  • Highlights a quantifiable achievement that shows positive impact on patient satisfaction
  • Mentions relevant skills that are critical for a physician assistant position
pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

If you’re a new grad without much hands-on experience, consider using a career objective to highlight your goals. This approach can showcase your enthusiasm and dedication. There are plenty of tailored resume objective examples in the physician assistant field to help you shine.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is the centerpiece of your resume as a physician assistant new grad. This part contains the bulk of your content, and reputable resume templates will always include this section.

Organize this area in reverse-chronological order to highlight your most recent experiences first. Use bullet points to detail your achievements and skills gained during each relevant role.

Now, let’s look at a couple of examples that illustrate effective work history entries for new graduate physician assistants. These examples will help you understand what works well and what may fall short:

Weak work experience

Physician Assistant

City Health Clinic – New York, NY

  • Assisted in patient evaluations
  • Performed routine check-ups and assessments
  • Collaborated with healthcare teams
  • Managed patient records and documentation
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific employment dates
  • Bullet points are vague and do not highlight unique skills or achievements
  • Emphasizes basic responsibilities rather than strong contributions or outcomes
Strong work experience

Physician Assistant

City Hospital – San Francisco, CA

June 2023 - Current

  • Conduct comprehensive physical examinations and develop treatment plans for diverse patient populations, improving patient management efficiency by 30%
  • Assist in surgical procedures and manage post-operative care, resulting in a 20% reduction in recovery time for patients
  • Educate patients on health maintenance and disease prevention strategies, contributing to a 15% increase in patient adherence to follow-up appointments
Why this work experience section works:
  • Uses strong action verbs that highlight the applicant's contributions and achievements
  • Incorporates specific metrics demonstrating the impact of their work on patient care outcomes
  • Showcases relevant skills essential for a Physician Assistant role while aligning with job requirements

While your resume summary and work experience are important components, it's essential not to overlook other sections that also need proper formatting. For detailed guidance on crafting a standout resume, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A well-defined skills section is important for any resume, as it allows you to showcase your qualifications at a glance. This skills section helps potential employers quickly identify if you possess the necessary competencies for the physician assistant role.

Hiring managers want candidates who are both skilled in their field and effective in working with others. Showcase a balance of hard skills and soft skills on your resume to demonstrate your well-rounded capabilities.

Hard skills for a physician assistant new grad include skill in conducting physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, and performing diagnostic tests.

Soft skills like empathy, communication, and teamwork are essential for building patient trust and ensuring collaborative healthcare delivery.

Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with what employers expect from applicants. Many organizations use automated systems to filter out applicants who lack essential skills, making this alignment even more important.

To improve your chances of being noticed, carefully examine job postings for insights into which skills are most valued. This strategy not only helps capture the attention of recruiters but also ensures your resume meets ATS criteria effectively.

pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

Make sure your resume grabs the attention of employers by using our ATS Resume Checker. This tool identifies over 30 common errors, helping your application smoothly navigate applicant tracking systems.

10 skills that appear on successful physician assistant new grad resumes

Highlighting relevant skills on your resume can significantly improve your appeal to potential employers. Many of these in-demand capabilities are illustrated in our resume examples, giving you a strong foundation to create a compelling application.

By the way, consider incorporating skills from the following list that align with your experience and job specifications:

  • 1

    Patient assessment

  • 2

    Team collaboration

  • 3

    Clinical decision-making

  • 4

    Time management

  • 5

    Adaptability

  • 6

    Patient education

  • 7

    Diagnostic testing skill

  • 8

    Pharmacology knowledge

  • 9

    Surgical assistance

  • 10

    Compassionate care

Based on analysis of 5,000+ medical professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Selecting the appropriate resume format is important for new physician assistants, as it helps showcase their relevant clinical skills, experiences, and growth in a clear and compelling way.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with up to two years of experience

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals seeking to highlight their skills and growth potential

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Experienced professionals leading teams in patient care innovation

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely, including a cover letter is essential for new graduates applying for physician assistant positions. It allows you to highlight your unique qualifications and express genuine enthusiasm for the role. For those unsure how to craft one, we offer a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter, as well as our user-friendly Cover Letter Generator to simplify the process.

When applying for jobs internationally, a CV is often required instead of a resume. A CV provides comprehensive details on your academic and professional history, making it suitable for positions in many countries. Explore our resources to find CV examples and tips on creating an effective CV that meets international standards. For additional guidance, learn more about how to write a CV.

Soft skills such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving are essential for physician assistant new grads. These interpersonal skills help foster strong connections with patients and facilitate collaboration within healthcare teams, ultimately improving patient care and ensuring a positive work atmosphere.

Highlight skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy that you have developed in previous roles. These transferable skills are important in patient care and can set you apart from other job seekers. Share specific instances where your past experiences led to positive outcomes, showing how they translate to the responsibilities of a physician assistant.

As a new grad applying for physician assistant roles, highlight your clinical rotations, relevant coursework, and any volunteer experiences. For more guidance on crafting a resume with no experience, emphasize your strong communication skills and ability to work in teams. Employers value fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for patient care, so showcase your passion and readiness to learn. You have a lot to offer despite limited experience.

To increase your resume's visibility on LinkedIn, add your resume to LinkedIn, upload it to your profile and highlight relevant experiences in the "About" and "Experience" sections. This approach helps healthcare recruiters easily identify new graduates like you, improving your chances of being noticed for job opportunities.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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