Physician Assistant Jobs in Atlanta: Where the Opportunities Are and How to Get Hired

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s major healthcare hubs, which makes it a strong city for physician assistant (PA) jobs. From large hospital systems to neighborhood clinics, there are many settings where PAs can build a career, specialize, and grow.

This guide walks through what you can expect from PA jobs in Atlanta, where to look, major employers, licensing details, and practical steps to stand out in the local job market.

Why Atlanta Is a Strong City for Physician Assistant Jobs

Atlanta’s healthcare landscape is broad and fast-growing. For PAs, that means:

• Large teaching and trauma centers with high patient volume
• Nationally known specialty hospitals and cancer centers
• Expanding suburban hospitals in metro counties like Cobb, Gwinnett, and DeKalb
• Diverse patient populations, from urban communities to affluent suburbs

The city is home to multiple major health systems and academic centers, which often translates into:

• A wide variety of specialties (cardiology, oncology, surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, pediatrics, etc.)
• Opportunities to work in both inpatient and outpatient settings
• Research and teaching opportunities if you’re interested in academics

Types of Physician Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

PAs in Atlanta can work in many different roles. Common job categories include:

Hospital-Based PA Positions

You’ll find these in major health systems across the metro area:

• Emergency medicine (ED/ER)
• Hospitalist/medicine services
• Intensive care units (ICU/CCU)
• Surgical first-assist roles (orthopedics, general surgery, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, etc.)

Hospital-based positions may involve:

• Rotating day, night, and weekend shifts
• Fast-paced, high-acuity care
• Working closely with residents and attendings in teaching hospitals

Outpatient and Clinic-Based PA Jobs

Many PAs in Atlanta work in:

• Primary care and family medicine offices
• Internal medicine practices
• Urgent care centers
• Specialty clinics, such as:
  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Dermatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Orthopedics and sports medicine
  • Women’s health and OB/GYN

These jobs may offer:

• More predictable daytime schedules
• Relationship-based care with recurring patients
• Fewer overnight or weekend responsibilities (depending on the practice)

Specialty and Subspecialty Roles

Because Atlanta has several major centers of excellence, PAs can often find work in more specialized areas, such as:

• Oncology and hematology
• Transplant services
• Neurosurgery and neurology
• Cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology
• Pediatric subspecialties (through children’s hospitals and clinics)

These jobs may require previous PA experience or specific training, but they can offer unique clinical environments and advanced procedures.

Non-Clinical and Hybrid PA Jobs

A smaller, but growing, segment of PA jobs in Atlanta are non-traditional roles, including:

• Clinical research coordination and sub-investigator roles
• Medical education and PA program faculty
• Utilization review and case management for insurers or hospitals
• Telemedicine with organizations that have offices or hubs in the Atlanta area

Major Atlanta Employers That Commonly Hire PAs

Below is a general overview of types of employers and examples in the Atlanta metro area. Job openings change frequently, so it’s best to check each system’s careers page or major job boards.

Large Health Systems

These systems operate multiple hospitals and clinics in and around Atlanta:

• Emory Healthcare

  • Academic system linked to Emory University
  • Multiple hospitals around metro Atlanta, including Emory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown

• Grady Health System

  • Grady Memorial Hospital (large Level I trauma center in downtown Atlanta)
  • Often employs PAs in emergency medicine, trauma, and specialty services

• Piedmont Healthcare

  • Piedmont Atlanta Hospital near Buckhead
  • Multiple community hospitals across the metro area

• Wellstar Health System

  • Facilities in Cobb, Douglas, and surrounding counties
  • Includes Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta

• Northside Hospital

  • Locations in Atlanta, Forsyth, Cherokee, and Gwinnett
  • Known for women’s health, oncology, and a broad range of specialties

• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)

  • Pediatric-focused system with several campuses
  • Opportunities for PAs in pediatrics, urgent care, and subspecialties

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Community Clinics

These organizations often hire PAs to provide primary care and preventive services to underserved populations:

• Community health centers in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett Counties
• Clinics that partner with local public health departments

These roles can be appealing if you value community-based care, health equity, and broad-scope primary medicine.

Private Practices and Specialty Groups

Atlanta has a large number of:

• Independent primary care offices
• Multi-specialty groups (e.g., cardiology, orthopedics, GI, etc.)
• Urgent care and walk-in clinics across the metro area

These can be found in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Decatur, and throughout the suburbs.

Licensing and Credentialing for PAs Working in Atlanta

To work as a physician assistant in Atlanta, you must be licensed to practice in Georgia. Jobs in Atlanta will expect you to meet these general requirements:

Georgia PA Licensure Basics

Licensing is handled at the state level:

• Georgia Composite Medical Board
  • Address: 2 Peachtree Street NW, 6th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 656-3913

PAs typically need:

• Graduation from an accredited PA program
• Successful completion of the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination)
• A current or pending Georgia PA license

Always review the current application requirements through official state channels, as forms and processes may change over time.

Hospital Credentialing and Privileging

Beyond state licensure, Atlanta hospitals and clinics have their own:

• Credentialing processes (verifying your education, training, and past employment)
• Privileging standards that define what procedures and responsibilities you are approved to perform

This process can take several weeks or longer, especially in large hospital systems, so it’s helpful to start early and respond quickly to any documentation requests.

Typical Work Settings and Schedules in Atlanta

Because Atlanta is such a large and diverse metro area, PA schedules and duties vary widely.

Hospital and Emergency Settings

You may see:

• 12-hour shifts, including nights and weekends
• Block scheduling (e.g., 3 days on/4 days off)
• Coverage of holidays and on-call rotations

These jobs often involve:

• Rapid patient turnover
• High acuity and complex cases
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and trainees

Outpatient Clinics and Private Practices

In these settings, schedules are often:

• Monday–Friday, with daytime hours
• Occasional extended evening hours or Saturday coverage, especially in urgent care or retail clinics

These roles usually include:

• Ongoing management of chronic conditions
• Preventive care visits
• More predictable daily routines

What Physician Assistants in Atlanta Commonly Do Day to Day

Regardless of setting, PAs in Atlanta generally:

• Conduct patient histories and physical exams
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests (lab work, imaging, etc.)
• Develop and implement treatment plans under a supervising physician
• Perform certain procedures (depending on training, privileges, and Georgia regulations)
• Provide patient education and counseling
• Coordinate care with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other professionals

Your exact responsibilities will depend on:

• The specialty (e.g., emergency vs. dermatology)
• The employer’s policies
• The collaborative practice agreement with your supervising physician

Where to Look for Physician Assistant Jobs in Atlanta

You can use several strategies to find PA openings in the Atlanta metro area.

1. Health System Career Portals

Most large Atlanta health systems list PA positions on their own career websites. Searching by:

• Job title: “Physician Assistant”
• Location: Atlanta, GA or metro counties

can help you find roles that may not be advertised widely elsewhere.

2. General and Healthcare-Focused Job Boards

You can search national job boards and healthcare-specific sites using:

• Keyword: “Physician Assistant” or “PA-C”
• Location: “Atlanta, GA”, “Decatur, GA,” “Marietta, GA,” etc.

Filtering by:

• Specialty (e.g., orthopedics, emergency medicine)
• Schedule (full-time, part-time, PRN)

can help you narrow down options that fit your goals.

3. Local and Regional PA Associations

Professional networks can be especially valuable for hearing about openings early or learning which practices are expanding.

In Georgia, you may look for:

• Statewide PA associations that share job boards, newsletters, or networking events
• Local meetups, CME events, and conferences in the Atlanta area

These can create a path to referrals and introductions that you might not get from online applications alone.

4. Direct Outreach to Practices

Many private practices in Atlanta don’t advertise every opening publicly. You can:

• Identify specialty groups and clinics in your area of interest
• Call or email their office manager or HR contact
• Politely ask if they hire physician assistants and whether they accept resumes for future openings

This can be particularly useful if you’re targeting a specific neighborhood (for example, Midtown, Buckhead, or a North Fulton suburb).

Key Skills and Qualities Atlanta Employers Look For

While every employer is different, hiring managers around Atlanta often emphasize:

• Strong communication skills with diverse patient populations
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments, especially in larger hospitals and busy clinics
• Team orientation, including collaborating smoothly with physicians, nurses, techs, and administrative staff
• Adaptability, given varied patient volumes and changing protocols
• Comfort with electronic health records (EHRs) used by major systems in the area

For roles in community health centers or public-serving clinics, employers may also value:

• Experience with or commitment to underserved populations
• Language skills, particularly Spanish or other commonly spoken languages in metro Atlanta

Simple Overview: PA Job Options in Atlanta

Tips for Standing Out in the Atlanta PA Job Market

A few practical steps can help you compete effectively for physician assistant jobs in the city:

1. Tailor your resume to Atlanta roles

   • Emphasize experience that matches the specialty and setting (e.g., ED, surgery, primary care).
   • Highlight any work with diverse or urban populations if you’re targeting large systems or community clinics.

2. Get to know local systems and neighborhoods

   • Be ready to discuss why you want to work in Atlanta specifically—whether that’s the city’s growth, its health systems, or its communities.
   • If you prefer certain areas (e.g., Midtown vs. suburban campuses), mention that thoughtfully.

3. Prepare for scenario-based interviews

   • Employers may ask how you handle busy clinics, complex patients, or communication challenges.
   • Think through real examples that show your judgment and collaboration.

4. Clarify your flexibility

   • If you are willing to work nights, weekends, or multiple campuses, make that clear—it can be a deciding factor.
   • If you need a set schedule, focus on outpatient and clinic-based positions.

5. Stay current on Georgia regulations

   • Understand the basics of Georgia PA practice requirements, including supervision and collaborative agreements.
   • This shows you’re serious about practicing safely within state rules.

Early-Career PAs: Starting Out in Atlanta

If you’re a new graduate or relocating early in your career:

• Look for positions that accept new grads or mention “willing to train”.
• Consider residency or fellowship-style programs operated by some large health systems if available, especially in high-acuity specialties.
• Be open to slightly longer commutes within metro Atlanta at first; this can broaden your options while you gain experience.

Rotations or previous work experience in Georgia or the Southeast can help, but they’re not required. Many Atlanta employers hire PAs from all over the country.

Practical Next Steps If You Want a PA Job in Atlanta

If you’re ready to move forward:

1. Confirm your Georgia licensure status

   • Review requirements with the Georgia Composite Medical Board (2 Peachtree Street NW, 6th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303; Phone: (404) 656-3913).

2. Identify your top 2–3 preferred settings

   • For example: “Inpatient cardiology at a large system,” or “Outpatient orthopedics in the northern suburbs.”

3. Search targeted roles

   • Use “Physician Assistant Atlanta GA” along with specialties like “emergency,” “primary care,” or “surgery.”

4. Reach out to local networks

   • Connect with other PAs working in Atlanta, especially those at hospitals or clinics where you’d like to apply.

5. Stay flexible and responsive

   • Respond quickly to interview invitations, credentialing requests, and onboarding steps to keep the process moving.

By focusing on the systems, neighborhoods, and specialties that fit your goals, Atlanta can offer a broad, sustainable, and rewarding landscape for a physician assistant career.