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Entry Level Physician Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

You will practice side-by-side with five experienced dermatologists and a physician assistant and have an in-house Mohs surgeon to refer your patients to. * Entry level or practicing dermatologist.

You will practice side-by-side with five experienced dermatologists and a physician assistant and have an in-house Mohs surgeon to refer your patients to. * Entry level or practicing dermatologist.

You will practice side-by-side with five experienced dermatologists and a physician assistant and have an in-house Mohs surgeon to refer your patients to. * Entry level or practicing dermatologist.

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Physician Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$23.5K

$44.9K

$64.3K

How much do entry level physician assistant jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level physician assistant in Iowa is $44,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $48,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Physician Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Physician Assistant, you need a graduate degree from an accredited PA program, national certification (PANCE), and a solid grounding in medical sciences and clinical practice. Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMRs), diagnostic tools, and basic procedural equipment is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and adaptability help you build patient trust and collaborate with supervising physicians. These skills are crucial for delivering safe, effective care and integrating smoothly into healthcare teams.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level physician assistants in their first year on the job?

Entry-level physician assistants often encounter challenges such as adapting to the fast pace of clinical settings, managing a diverse patient caseload, and developing confidence in making clinical decisions. Building effective communication skills to collaborate with supervising physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is also essential. With time and mentorship, new PAs typically grow more comfortable with protocols, procedures, and patient interactions, which helps ease the transition into the role.

What is an entry level physician assistant?

An entry level physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who has recently graduated from an accredited PA program and obtained certification to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. Entry level PAs perform a variety of tasks, such as taking patient histories, conducting physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications. They work in diverse medical settings including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and often collaborate closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. As they gain experience, entry level PAs may specialize in areas such as emergency medicine, surgery, or pediatrics.

What is the difference between Entry Level Physician Assistant vs Medical Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Physician AssistantMedical Assistant
Required CredentialsMaster's degree, NCCPA certificationHigh school diploma, certification optional
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, physician officesDoctor's offices, clinics, outpatient settings
Job ResponsibilitiesDiagnosing, treating, prescribingAdministrative tasks, basic clinical support

Entry Level Physician Assistants and Medical Assistants both work in healthcare settings, but PAs have advanced training, can diagnose and treat patients, and require certification. Medical Assistants perform supportive clinical and administrative tasks with less formal education. The roles differ in scope, responsibilities, and credentials, making them distinct career paths within healthcare.

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Entry Level Physician Assistant job openings:

$121.29K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is seeking a Full-Time, Physician Assistant (Primary Care) to join the Primary Care Service Line at the VA Clinic Coralville IA.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Physician Assistant Basic Requirements
  • Master's degree in any discipline or a bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant ~AND~
  • Successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) (or are you in the process to taking the exam) ~AND~
  • Currently hold, or will hold, a full and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
Grade Determinations
  • Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)
    • (a) Experience and Education. The PA at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by: i. Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR ii. Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
    • (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II: i. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems. ii. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions. iii. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care. iv. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. v. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.
  • Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)
    • (a) Experience and Education. PAs at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning PAs, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by: i. Three years of successful practice as a PA.OR ii. Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA. OR iii. A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.
    • (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. PAs at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III: i. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care. ii. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE). iii. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials. iv. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel. v. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.vi. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the PA patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 2 to 3.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. This work is mostly sedentary and requires some standing, bending and carrying light items. The incumbent must have the ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time to interact with the patients and other services.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER