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Burn Physician Assistant (PA)

Burn physicians’ assistants (PA) deliver specialized care to help patients recover from complex burn injuries. From performing procedures and managing wounds to educating patients and families, burn PAs play a critical role on the multidisciplinary team, blending surgical skill with patient-centered care.


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Find Burn Physician Assistant Jobs

Explore positions in hospital burn centers, trauma services, and specialized wound care clinics. Many programs value PAs with surgical skills, critical care experience, and an interest in burn care innovation.


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What Does a Burn Physician Assistant Do?

Burn PAs care for patients through every stage of recovery, assessing injuries, performing procedures like debridement and grafting, managing pain, preventing infection, and supporting rehabilitation. They help patients regain function and quality of life.

Typical Work Environments

  • Hospital burn centers (often verified by the ABA) 

  • Academic medical centers and trauma programs 

  • Outpatient burn and wound care clinics 

  • Specialized surgical services focusing on reconstruction and scar management

Key Responsibilities

  • Assess and manage acute and chronic burn wounds 

  • Perform bedside procedures: debridement, dressing changes, and graft care 

  • Assist surgeons in the OR (operating room) with grafting and reconstructive procedures 

  • Educate patients and families on wound care, pain management, and recovery 

  • Collaborate daily with nurses, therapists, dietitians, and mental health teams 

  • Participate in quality improvement and research initiatives

Education and Training Path

  • Graduate from an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accredited PA program 

  • Pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) 

  • Obtain state PA licensure 

  • Maintain National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification through CME 

  • Additional credentials often required: BLS, ACLS; some roles prefer burn, surgical, or critical care experience

What Makes a Successful Burn Physician Assistant? 

Burn PAs help transform lives after devastating injuries, guiding patients through procedures, recovery, and rehabilitation. Their skill and compassion help restore dignity, function, and hope.

ABA Membership Benefits for Physician Assistants

  • CME opportunities from the ABA Annual Meeting and Journal of Burn Care & Research 

  • Access to burn-specific clinical guidelines and best practices 

  • Networking through Special Interest Groups and mentorship programs 

  • Leadership pathways on committees shaping burn care policy 

  • Discounts on Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) and specialty courses


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Working as a burn PA is more than a job, it’s a commitment to walking alongside patients during some of the toughest moments of their lives. The ABA’s resources and network keep me connected and learning every day.

Mary Bruce, PA-C
Burn Physician Assistant and ABA Member

Advance Your Burn Physician Assistant Career

The ABA supports burn physician assistants with specialized education, evidence-based tools, and a community dedicated to improving burn care. Join today to connect, learn, and lead in this dynamic specialty.


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