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Pa Shadowing Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Medical Scribe

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$17 - $28.46/hr

... DO/PA/NP program, as well as those pursuing careers in Health Informatics, Public Health, Healt ... Prior clinical experience, including shadowing and/or volunteering [strongly preferred] * Prior ...

Medical Scribe

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$17 - $28.46/hr

... DO/PA/NP program, as well as those pursuing careers in Health Informatics, Public Health, Healt ... Prior clinical experience, including shadowing and/or volunteering [strongly preferred] * Prior ...

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Pa Shadowing information

See Iowa salary details

$25

$45

$61

How much do pa shadowing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for pa shadowing in Iowa is $45.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.62 and $54.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $300,000 as a PA?

A Physician Assistant (PA) typically earns a median salary well below $300,000, with most PAs earning between $100,000 and $130,000 annually. Reaching a $300,000 salary usually requires additional specialization, extensive experience, or working in high-paying regions or roles such as surgical or executive positions, which are less common for entry-level or general PAs.

What is the difference between Pa Shadowing vs Medical Assistant Shadowing?

AspectPa ShadowingMedical Assistant Shadowing
Required CredentialsNone or minimal; pre-PA coursework helpfulNone; high school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentPhysician offices, clinics, hospitalsClinics, outpatient settings, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for pre-physician assistant experienceUsed for medical assisting experience
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding shadowing roles for PA applicantsExploring shadowing options for medical assisting

Pa Shadowing involves observing physician assistants to gain insight into the PA profession, often requiring minimal credentials and focusing on clinical exposure. Medical Assistant Shadowing is geared toward those interested in medical assisting roles, typically with less formal prerequisites. Both provide valuable industry experience but serve different career paths within healthcare.

What should I do when shadowing a PA?

When shadowing a physician assistant (PA), observe their daily tasks, ask relevant questions when appropriate, and maintain professionalism and confidentiality. Be attentive, punctual, and eager to learn, while respecting the PA's workflow and patient privacy. It can also be helpful to familiarize yourself with medical terminology and clinical procedures beforehand.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Physician Assistant (PA) Shadow, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Physician Assistant (PA) shadow, you should have a keen interest in healthcare, a basic understanding of medical terminology, and ideally be a pre-PA student or aspiring healthcare professional. Familiarity with HIPAA privacy rules and clinical observation protocols is important, though formal certifications are not always required. Strong soft skills like active listening, professionalism, and respectful communication help you learn effectively and make a positive impression. These skills are essential for gaining valuable insight into the PA role, building connections, and preparing for a future PA career.

How to get PA shadowing opportunities?

To secure PA shadowing opportunities, contact physician assistants or healthcare providers directly to inquire about shadowing programs, and check with local hospitals or clinics that may offer structured shadowing experiences. Building a strong understanding of medical terminology and demonstrating professionalism can improve chances of acceptance.

What can I expect during a typical day of PA shadowing, and how should I interact with patients and the healthcare team?

During a typical day of PA shadowing, you'll observe patient assessments, procedures, and team discussions under the supervision of a Physician Assistant (PA). Your main role is to quietly observe, take notes, and ask questions when appropriate—always respecting patient privacy and confidentiality. Expect to interact with a variety of healthcare professionals, but remember that patient interaction is usually limited unless invited by the PA. Demonstrating professionalism, punctuality, and a willingness to learn are key to making a positive impression and maximizing your experience.

Do PA programs require shadowing?

Physician Assistant (PA) programs typically require applicants to complete shadowing experiences to demonstrate understanding of the healthcare environment and patient care. Shadowing healthcare professionals helps applicants gain relevant exposure and strengthen their application, often with a recommended minimum number of hours. Requirements vary by program, so applicants should check specific program prerequisites.

What is PA shadowing?

PA shadowing is the process of observing a practicing Physician Assistant (PA) as they perform their daily duties in a clinical setting. This experience helps prospective PA students gain insight into the PA profession, learn about patient care, and understand the responsibilities and challenges of the role. Shadowing is often required or highly recommended for applicants to PA programs as it demonstrates commitment and provides valuable exposure to the healthcare field.
What are popular job titles related to Pa Shadowing jobs in Iowa? For Pa Shadowing jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pa Shadowing jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Pa Shadowing jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Pa Shadowing jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Pa Shadowing job openings:

Medical Scribe

Oak Street Health

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$17 - $28.46/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Oak Street Health rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

264th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.

Title: Medical Scribe

Company: Oak Street Health

Role Description:

The purpose of a Clinical Informatics Specialist (CIS or Medical Scribe) at Oak Street Health is to support our primary care providers with clinical documentation so that they can focus on providing exceptional care to our patients. Scribes assist providers throughout the patient care journey - huddling each morning to plan for the day's visits, joining them in the exam room to observe and document, and touching base after the visit to assist with next steps.

Beyond the typical Scribe role, these important care team members serve as clinical documentation assistants to their paired provider. Internally, we call them CISs (Clinic Informatics Specialists) in recognition of their important role in supporting accurate, specific, and timely clinical documentation. In addition to observing and documenting all patient encounters in real time, our Scribes become experts in our value-based care model and the documentation and care of chronic conditions, including ICD-10 and CPT coding. Scribes use this expertise to help providers identify and help close care gaps. Scribes receive extensive on-the-job training in clinical workflows, value-based medicine, preventative care for chronic conditions, accurate and specific documentation, population health data streams, and team based care.

Because our patients and providers rely on our Scribes, the ideal candidate should commit at least 1-2 years to this role. This is an excellent opportunity for pre-med track individuals looking to gain practical, paid experience in a clinical setting before applying to an MD/DO/PA/NP program, as well as those pursuing careers in Health Informatics, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Medical Coding, and other related fields.

Responsibilities:

  • Documenting Patient Encounters ~ 80%
    • Joining the provider in the exam room to observe patient visits
    • Documenting patient encounters in a structured note, including the history of the present illness, assessment, plan, and physical exam
    • Assigning appropriate CPT and ICD-10 codes
    • Preparing After Visit Summaries
    • Consulting with provider to ensure accurate and specific documentation
  • Clinical Documentation Improvement ~ 10%
    • Requesting and reviewing medical records
    • Leveraging Oak Street's population health tools to support clinical documentation improvement
    • Preparing for and supporting Daily Huddles and Clinical Documentation Reviews
    • Consulting with provider on clinical documentation opportunities
  • Administrative support for your provider and care team ~ 10%
    • Placing orders and referrals
    • Addressing tasks
    • Supporting the care team with additional responsibilities related to clinical documentation
  • Other duties as assigned

What we're looking for

Knowledge

  • Knowledge of medical terminology and common medications, either from a pre-medical degree or prior clinical experience [required]
  • Prior clinical experience, including shadowing and/or volunteering [strongly preferred]
  • Prior scribe or transcription experience [preferred but not required]

Skills

  • Advanced listening and communication skills [required]
  • Strong computer literacy and ability to learn new technical workflows [required]
  • Fluency in Spanish, Polish, Russian, or other languages spoken by people in the communities we serve [required where indicated]

Abilities

  • Ability to adapt to new workflows and to quickly learn new concepts and skills [required]
  • Ability to type 70+ words per minute [strongly preferred]
  • Ability and willingness to take direction and be a member of a team providing patient care, including adapting to the provider's working style [required]
  • Ability to be a self-starter within your role scope
  • Excellent job attendance including ability to work in-person in our clinics (Our providers count on you.) [required]
  • Ability to commit to at least 1 year in role (2+ is ideal) [required]
  • Ability to work approximately 40-45 hours per week during clinic hours (full time position) with predictable hours and break times [required]
  • Compliance with hospital and Oak Street Health policies, including HIPAA [required]
  • US work authorization [required]

Anticipated Weekly Hours

40

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$17.00 - $28.46

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls.  The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.  This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. 
 

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.


Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 01/29/2027

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.


What Oak Street Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Oak Street Health logo

About Oak Street Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oak Street Health is a rapidly growing company of primary care centers for adults on Medicare in medically-underserved communities where there is little to no quality healthcare. Oak Street's care is based on an entirely new model that is based on value for its patients, not on volume of services. The company is accountable for its patients' health, spending more than twice as long with its patients and taking on the risks and costs of their care.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2012