How to hire a physician assistant student

How to hire a physician assistant student, step by step

Here's a step-by-step physician assistant student hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a physician assistant student job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new physician assistant student
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a physician assistant student job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The physician assistant student hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A physician assistant student's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, physician assistant students from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents physician assistant student salaries for various positions.

   Type of Physician Assistant Student	Description	Hourly rate
   Physician Assistant Student	Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.	$38-115
   Obstetrics Gynecology Physician	Obstetrics Gynecology Physician is a specialist doctor in childbirth, pregnancy, and female reproductive health. Their duties include conducting tests such as pelvic exams, breast exams, and pap smears, diagnosing diseases and disorders, carrying out a patient routine check-up, prescribing treatment plans, and monitoring expectant mothers during periods of postpartum, pregnancy, and childbirth... Show more	$61-238
   Pain Management Physician	Pain management physicians are medical doctors who diagnose and coordinate treatment while providing care for patients who are experiencing pain. By understanding the physiology of pain, these physicians are required to conduct specialized tests to diagnose complex pain conditions as well as prescribe proper medications and therapies to treat them... Show more	$62-238

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Physical Exams
   • Emergency Medicine
   • Family Medicine
   • Patient Care
   • Internal Medicine
   • Patient History
   • Primary Care
   • Psychiatry
   • Family Practice
   • General Surgery
   • Surgical Procedures
   • EMR
   • Geriatrics

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform therapeutic procedures by administering injections and immunizations; suturing; managing wounds and infections.
   • Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
   • Obtain a detail medical and psychiatry history from each patient.
   • Train in current cardiology standards of care and appropriate medications.
   • Conduct procedure-based interventions including suturing, incision and drainage, splinting, and administration of local anesthesia.
   • Perform well and sick visits, consisting of both comprehensive and focuse history and physical examinations of pediatric patients, respectively.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your physician assistant student job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A physician assistant student can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, physician assistant students' average salary in idaho is 44% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level physician assistant students 67% less than senior-level physician assistant students.
   • Certifications. A physician assistant student with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a physician assistant student's salary.

   Average physician assistant student salary

   $139,236yearly

   $66.94 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level physician assistant student salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing a physician assistant student job description

   A job description for a physician assistant student role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a physician assistant student job description:

   Physician assistant student job description example

   The Physician Assistant manages the day-to-day inpatient and operative needs of orthopedic patients in conjunction with, and under the supervision of an attending physician . The PA is responsible for the assessment and management of various orthopedic conditions, including but not limited to the overall management of the orthopedic patient, ordering and interpretation of diagnostic testing, development of appropriate plans of care, therapeutic interventions, and intra operative assistance. They maintain a collaborative work environment that is safe, just, and founded on principles of high reliability and quality outcomes for patients and colleagues. The PA will perform duties in accordance with state and federal regulations as well as network policies, PA scope of practice guidelines, approved clinical privileges and the JFKUMC PA policy. The physician assistant reports to the department clinical lead and Director of Advanced Practice Providers, Physician Assistant. The position is a 40-hour per week shift position including day and night coverage as well as weekend and holidays on a rotational basis.
   Responsibilities
   
   Under the supervision of a physician(s) with appropriate privileges, performs comprehensive medical care of orthopedic patients encompassing all aspects of medical management. Obtains a detailed and accurate history, performs highly reliable physical examination, identifies problems, orders and interprets appropriate laboratory and diagnostic testing. Develops appropriate plans of care, follow up and performs interventions based on the outcomes of diagnostic, laboratory and examination findings. Participates in daily rounds individually and/or with the orthopedic team. Performs consultations, manages patient care throughout the shift and evaluates patients for changes in status. Consistently submits timely documentation of admission notes, history and physical examinations, consultations, daily patient encounter notes, urgent evaluation notes, procedure notes, brief post- operative notes and discharge summaries. In case of a surgical admission, insures all elements of pre-op evaluation are within acceptable range and facilitates in the expedited coordination of operative care. Assists surgeon in the operating room as a first assistant or as a second assistant when deemed necessary by the supervising surgeon and when a qualified assistant physician is not required by N.J.A.C. 12.35-4.1 Performs bedside procedures including but not limited to bursa aspirations, closed reduction of fractures and dislocations, cast and splint applications, dressing changes, wound debridement, incision and drainage, VAC dressing placements, troubleshooting and removal, the removal of surgical drains, bedside suturing, and suture removal. Acts as a "first line" person responsible for all the post procedure management of patients. Prescribes medications in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations under supervision of a licensed physician as approved by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners. Under the guidance and direction of a supervising physician and in accordance with the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, prescribe controlled dangerous substances only with current state CDS license and DEA number. Demonstrates select competencies and high level of clinical judgment and skills amongst commonly diagnosed conditions. Exhibits organizational, communication and leadership skills, initiative, accountability, responsibility, appropriate judgment, and decision making. Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient, parent, and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.). Functions as a resource to other Team Members and participates in their education. Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies, Elearning, and standards of behavior. Displays an understanding and awareness of and performs all duties in accordance with the Hospital's and HMH Network Mission and Vision Statements. Adheres to all Hospital infection control and safety policies. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
   
   Non-Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   Demonstrates a professional and collaborative relationship with other providers and Team Members. Exhibits and fosters behavior that emulates the hospital's mission, vision and values, and creates aculture that promotes a healthy work environment. Maintains superior interpersonal and communication skills as a Team Member. Collaborates effectively with patients, families and other Team Members. Promotes a commitment to one's professional, departmental and organizational growth. Participates in departmental and organizational committees, including interdepartmental meetings, Morbidity and Mortality conferences, quality assurance meetings, professional trainings. Participates in Standard of Care practices and promotes the implementation of quality measures and safety measures. Remains active in Continuation of Medical Education programs and self education as well as participates in the education and training of new hires and rotating PA students.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Knowledge, Education and Skills Required:
   
   Successful completion of an approved physicians assistant program, accredited by the Accreditation and Review Committee for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) or other NCCPA certification examination qualifying accrediting agency. Maintenance of a minimum of 100 hours of CME in accordance with NCCPA regulations every 2 years
   
   Knowledge, Education and Skills Preferred:
   
   2 years of orthopedic surgery, OR assistant experience and robotic experience is preferred however new graduates are considered.
   
   Required Certification/Licensing:
   
   New Jersey State Physician Assistant Certification Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification required Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification New Jersey CDS license Federal DEA license

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find physician assistant students for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your physician assistant student job on Zippia to find and recruit physician assistant student candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with physician assistant student candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new physician assistant student

   Once you've found the physician assistant student candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new physician assistant student first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a physician assistant student?