What is the most important keyword on a Physician Assistant resume in 2026?

PA-C, with your state license listed alongside. List both directly after your name on the contact line. NCCPA certification + your specialty CAQ (if held) should be in a dedicated "Certifications" section above work history — hospital ATS configs weight this section heaviest.

How should a Surgical PA tailor a resume vs. Primary Care PA?

Surgical PA: lead with first-assist hours, specific procedure types (laparoscopic, robotic, endoscopic), OR experience, and any CAQ in CT Surgery or Orthopaedic Surgery. Primary Care PA: lead with patient panel size, EMR system, common-condition management, and population health metrics. The two pools barely overlap on ATS keyword screens.

How do I optimize a PA resume for new-grad roles?

Lead with your PANCE pass + PA-C status, rotation specialties + hours during your program, any high-impact clinical-year project, and BLS/ACLS/PALS certifications. New-grad PA JDs screen heavily on rotation breadth because work-experience signal is weak.

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