Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools that screen resumes for Physician Assistant roles.

They scan for keywords, dates, and section headers. They can reject resumes that use odd formatting or miss key terms.

Use clear sections like "Work Experience", "Education", and "Skills".

• Include certifications: NCCPA, state PA license, DEA registration when relevant.
• List clinical skills: patient assessment, suturing, lumbar puncture, minor procedures.
• Add technical terms: EHR (Epic, Cerner), SOAP notes, triage, differential diagnosis.
• Mention specialties: urgent care, ER, family medicine, orthopedics, pediatrics.

Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs. ATS often misread those elements.

Use simple fonts like Arial or Calibri. Save as .docx or PDF unless a job asks otherwise.

Write dates clearly and place employer names and job titles on the same line. Keep bullets short and action-focused.

Common mistakes include using creative synonyms instead of exact keywords. For example, use "patient assessment" not just "clinical evaluation."

Do not hide key info in headers or footers. ATS may ignore those sections. Also, avoid long paragraphs and fancy layouts.

Finally, tailor your resume for each job. Pull keywords from the job posting and weave them into experience and skills naturally.

Choose a clean, professional template with a reverse-chronological layout. You should list clinical roles first, then education and certifications. That layout reads well and parses reliably in ATS systems.

Keep your resume concise. Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of clinical experience. Use two pages only if you have long clinical leadership or research history relevant to the Physician Assistant role.

Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and add clear margins to keep white space.

Stick to simple formatting. Use bullet lists for clinical duties and outcomes. Avoid graphics, text boxes, or unusual symbols that can break ATS parsing.

Use clear section headings such as Contact, Summary, Clinical Experience, Education, Licensure & Certifications, Skills, and Professional Activities. Put dates on the right and employer names on the left.

Avoid common mistakes. Don’t use complex columns or embedded images. Don’t overload the page with long paragraphs. Don’t use nonstandard fonts or heavy color that distracts.

Quantify clinical achievements when you can. Note patient volumes, procedures performed, quality metrics, or charting improvements. Keep each bullet focused on one action and one result.

Tailoring your cover letter matters when you apply for Physician Assistant roles. A good letter complements your resume and shows real interest in the clinic or hospital. It also lets you explain patient care decisions and teamwork that your resume cannot.

Keep the letter clear and direct. Use short paragraphs and simple language. Address the hiring manager when you can.

• Header: Put your name, phone, email, city, employer name, and date.
• Opening Paragraph: Start by naming the Physician Assistant role. Say why you want to work for this employer. Mention your top qualification or where you found the listing.
• Body Paragraphs: Connect your experience to the job. Highlight patient care, procedures you perform, and clinical skills like history taking, diagnostic reasoning, and minor procedures. Name one or two clinical systems or tools if relevant. Add soft skills such as teamwork and clear communication. Use numbers when you can, like patient load or improvement metrics. Mirror keywords from the job description.
• Closing Paragraph: Reiterate interest in the Physician Assistant role. State confidence in your ability to help the team. Ask for an interview and thank the reader.

Match your tone to the clinical setting. Stay professional, warm, and confident. Use active voice and plain language. Keep each sentence short and friendly, like you are talking to a colleague.

Before you send, cut extra words and check for job-specific keywords. Customize one or two lines to mention the department or a recent program the employer runs. That shows you did your homework and care about the role.

You're applying for Physician Assistant roles, so your resume must show clinical skill, judgment, and clear outcomes. Small errors can make hiring managers doubt your attention to detail.

Fixing common mistakes helps your resume reflect your patient care and teamwork. Use clear examples, correct formatting, and precise language to boost your chances.

Use these FAQs and tips to shape a Physician Assistant resume that highlights clinical skill, patient care, and teamwork. The advice focuses on what employers look for, how you show impact, and how to organize clinical experience and certifications.