Physician Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Physician assistant jobs in Iowa draw consistent demand across primary care, orthopedics, and urgent care, with openings at every career stage from new graduate to experienced clinician. The busiest hiring markets are Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, where health systems like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Health Care, and MercyOne anchor the largest concentrations of openings. Dermatology, cardiology, and rural family medicine round out the most in-demand specialties statewide. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Physician Assistant jobs
The new University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus opened in the Spring of 2025. This 469,000 square foot facility is the home to UI Health Care’s nationally recognized Orthopedics service line, offering comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care across the outpatient, inpatient and surgical venues. These state-of-the-art clinical facilities will also include a full-service community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, retail pharmacy, and emergency department as well as an array of support services. The facility has been designed to support a superior patient and staff experience; excellence across our patient care, teaching and research missions; convenient access to services; and engaging community partnerships. UI Health Care is seeking a welcoming, highly-skilled and collaborative workforce to be a part of the opening team for this superb new campus, and to help further our mission of: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.
The Orthopedic Access Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will independently evaluate and manage patients with a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, with collaborative support from our subspecialty orthopedic teams. The primary objective of this clinic is to enhance timely access to orthopedic care.
While the clinic will serve patients with a variety of musculoskeletal concerns, those with acute injuries will generally be directed to the Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic. For non-surgical cases, the APP will manage the patient’s care independently at our Prairie Meadow Drive location.. If surgical intervention is indicated, the APP will coordinate referral to the appropriate surgical team within the department.
The role may also include performing in-office procedures such as joint injections, depending on the APP’s experience and clinical assessment.
There may also be some cross coverage expected in the Orthopedic Injury Walk-In Clinic (North Liberty Campus). There the APP would see musculoskeletal injuries and pain that have occurred within 7 days. This occasionally requires splinting and casting. We provide training for this.
This role requires someone who is organized, motivated, and very efficient.
Schedule includes an evening shift every Thursday (12p-8pm) and every other Saturday (8a-2p).
Position Responsibilities Ortho Access Clinic:
Perform evaluation and management for a variety of orthopedic conditions. Order medical diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and prescribe, dispense or deliver medications under a collaborative practice agreement. Follow-up with patients on diagnostics/labs. Follow-up with patients and follow longitudinally if surgical or subspecialty consultation is not needed/desired. Consult/collaborate with other care team members. Use judgment to apply/adopt information within total clinical picture to address health issues. Influence others to adopt best practices.
Complete patient medical records, reports, and forms to record treatment for treatment record and billing purposes. Improve quality of care by performing chart reviews and participating on performance improvement committees.
Collaborating with subspecialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care. Escalating care appropriately for surgical conditions.
This position work location is the Orthopedics Prairie Meadows Drive location.
Position Responsibilities Ortho Walk-In Clinic:
Triaging, evaluation, and management of orthopedic injuries such as acute back pain, sprains and strains, tendon and ligament injuries, suspected fractures, and joint pain
Ordering appropriate imaging such as plain Xray, CT, or MRI when indicated
Providing initial management which could include using a variety of durable medical equipment, such as wrist splints, slings, and boots, in addition to splinting or casting
Educating patients on their injury
Facilitating follow-up care, as needed, with subspecialty surgeons and providers in the Department of Orthopedics
Working with MCNL Emergency Room staff to transfer patients to them when a patient would be more appropriately managed in that setting.
Collaborating with specialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care
This work location is the Main Campus North Liberty Hospital
Education Requirements:
- Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners which include graduation from an accredited PA educational program and/or certification by the NCCPA. A Master’s degree is highly desired.
Experience Requirements:
2+ years of patient care experience is required and can be obtained through clinical rotations or in clinical practice.
2+ years of demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of orthopedic patient care is required.
Experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
Timeliness and promptness of documentation.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience working in orthopedic outpatient clinic is highly desired. Relevant orthopedic experience in ED or Urgent Care considered.
Please attach a resume/CV as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
The department intends to hire for one position from either Physician Assistant, requisition 26003263, or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, requisition 26003265, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please apply to the specific position for which you wish to be considered or both.
For questions or additional information, please contact Amanda Petersen at amanda-petersen@uiowa.edu.
- Classification Title: Physician Assistant
- Appointment Type: SEIU
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
- Pay Level: 11
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Amanda Petersen
- Contact Email: amanda-petersen@uiowa.edu
The new University of Iowa Health Care North Liberty Campus opened in the Spring of 2025. This 469,000 square foot facility is the home to UI Health Care’s nationally recognized Orthopedics service line, offering comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care across the outpatient, inpatient and surgical venues. These state-of-the-art clinical facilities will also include a full-service community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, retail pharmacy, and emergency department as well as an array of support services. The facility has been designed to support a superior patient and staff experience; excellence across our patient care, teaching and research missions; convenient access to services; and engaging community partnerships. UI Health Care is seeking a welcoming, highly-skilled and collaborative workforce to be a part of the opening team for this superb new campus, and to help further our mission of: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.
The Orthopedic Access Advanced Practice Provider (APP) will independently evaluate and manage patients with a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, with collaborative support from our subspecialty orthopedic teams. The primary objective of this clinic is to enhance timely access to orthopedic care.
While the clinic will serve patients with a variety of musculoskeletal concerns, those with acute injuries will generally be directed to the Orthopedic Walk-In Clinic. For non-surgical cases, the APP will manage the patient’s care independently at our Prairie Meadow Drive location.. If surgical intervention is indicated, the APP will coordinate referral to the appropriate surgical team within the department.
The role may also include performing in-office procedures such as joint injections, depending on the APP’s experience and clinical assessment.
There may also be some cross coverage expected in the Orthopedic Injury Walk-In Clinic (North Liberty Campus). There the APP would see musculoskeletal injuries and pain that have occurred within 7 days. This occasionally requires splinting and casting. We provide training for this.
This role requires someone who is organized, motivated, and very efficient.
Schedule includes an evening shift every Thursday (12p-8pm) and every other Saturday (8a-2p).
Position Responsibilities Ortho Access Clinic:
Perform evaluation and management for a variety of orthopedic conditions. Order medical diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and prescribe, dispense or deliver medications under a collaborative practice agreement. Follow-up with patients on diagnostics/labs. Follow-up with patients and follow longitudinally if surgical or subspecialty consultation is not needed/desired. Consult/collaborate with other care team members. Use judgment to apply/adopt information within total clinical picture to address health issues. Influence others to adopt best practices.
Complete patient medical records, reports, and forms to record treatment for treatment record and billing purposes. Improve quality of care by performing chart reviews and participating on performance improvement committees.
Collaborating with subspecialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care. Escalating care appropriately for surgical conditions.
This position work location is the Orthopedics Prairie Meadows Drive location.
Position Responsibilities Ortho Walk-In Clinic:
Triaging, evaluation, and management of orthopedic injuries such as acute back pain, sprains and strains, tendon and ligament injuries, suspected fractures, and joint pain
Ordering appropriate imaging such as plain Xray, CT, or MRI when indicated
Providing initial management which could include using a variety of durable medical equipment, such as wrist splints, slings, and boots, in addition to splinting or casting
Educating patients on their injury
Facilitating follow-up care, as needed, with subspecialty surgeons and providers in the Department of Orthopedics
Working with MCNL Emergency Room staff to transfer patients to them when a patient would be more appropriately managed in that setting.
Collaborating with specialty teams in Orthopedics as needed to facilitate care
This work location is the Main Campus North Liberty Hospital
Education Requirements:
- Must comply with registration and licensure requirements as specified by the Iowa Board of Physician Assistant Examiners which include graduation from an accredited PA educational program and/or certification by the NCCPA. A Master’s degree is highly desired.
Experience Requirements:
2+ years of patient care experience is required and can be obtained through clinical rotations or in clinical practice.
2+ years of demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of orthopedic patient care is required.
Experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
Timeliness and promptness of documentation.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience working in orthopedic outpatient clinic is highly desired. Relevant orthopedic experience in ED or Urgent Care considered.
Please attach a resume/CV as part of the application process. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
The department intends to hire for one position from either Physician Assistant, requisition 26003263, or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, requisition 26003265, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please apply to the specific position for which you wish to be considered or both.
For questions or additional information, please contact Amanda Petersen at amanda-petersen@uiowa.edu.
- Classification Title: Physician Assistant
- Appointment Type: SEIU
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
- Pay Level: 11
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Amanda Petersen
- Contact Email: amanda-petersen@uiowa.edu
See All 16 Physician Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Physician Assistant JobsPhysician Assistant Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in physician assistant jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa physician assistant license issued by the Iowa Physician Assistant Board
- Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program
- Current NCCPA certification or eligibility to sit for the PANCE exam
- Current BLS certification, with ACLS preferred for acute care or hospital settings
- Experience with electronic health records systems, particularly Epic or Cerner
- Ability to work collaboratively under a supervising physician in Iowa clinical settings
Physician Assistant Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a physician assistant in Iowa?
To practice as a physician assistant in Iowa, you must hold an active license issued by the Iowa Physician Assistant Board, which requires graduation from an ARC-PA accredited master's-level program and passing the PANCE national certification exam. After passing, you apply directly to the Iowa Physician Assistant Board for licensure. Iowa requires a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician before you can begin seeing patients.
How much do physician assistants make in Iowa?
Physician assistants in Iowa earn a median of about $134,770 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $102,330 for the lowest 10% to over $182,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire physician assistants in Iowa?
Employers hiring physician assistants in Iowa right now include Curana Health, The University of Iowa, and US Department of Veterans Affairs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's largest health systems, including community hospitals and multispecialty clinics, post openings year-round and tend to hire across both urban centers and rural critical access hospitals.
Which Iowa cities have the most physician assistant jobs?
The cities with the most physician assistant openings in Iowa are Iowa City, Davenport, and West Des Moines. Des Moines drives the largest share of postings as the state's most populous metro and home to major systems like UnityPoint Health and MercyOne, while Iowa City's concentration reflects the University of Iowa Health Care complex, and Cedar Rapids supports a steady mix of hospital and outpatient clinic demand.
Are there remote physician assistant jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of physician assistant openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the hands-on, patient-facing nature of most PA roles. The exceptions tend to be telephonic triage, utilization review, or insurance prior authorization positions that don't require direct clinical contact.
How can I get hired as a physician assistant in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate postings at large Iowa health systems, several of which run structured PA onboarding or transition-to-practice programs. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care periodically post openings that explicitly welcome new graduates. Candidates who already hold an Iowa license and NCCPA certification have a clear advantage, and those with clinical rotation experience at Iowa facilities are frequently prioritized for entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to physician assistant jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to physician assistant jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your specialty and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 16 Physician Assistant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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