Physician Cover Letter Examples [For All Medical Field Jobs]
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Why is a physician cover letter so essential to your career?
Because a good physician cover letter separates you from the 1.1 million M.D.s in the country. That’s vital for that dream M.D. job with a small clinic and great hours. Write a good one, and you’ll look like Helene Gayle in the labor pool.
This guide will show you:
- A sample cover letter for physicians better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Ten effective physician cover letter examples that let you add your skills.
- The right plan-of-care for how to write a cover letter for physician positions.
- Why a few well-placed medical achievements can end your job search.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample Cover Letter for a Resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Send your cover letter for physicians with a job-optimized physician resume. See our guide: Medical Resume Sample & Writing Guide
Considering similar positions in the medical field? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:
- Dentist Cover Letter
- Dental Assistant Cover Letter
- Esthetician Cover Letter
- Medical Cover Letter
- Medical Assistant Cover Letter
- Medical Receptionist Cover Letter
- Medical Scribe Cover Letter
- Nursing Cover Letter
- Veterinary Cover Letter
- Pharmacist Cover Letter
- Pharmacy Technician Cover Letter
- Physical Therapy Cover Letter
- Occupational Therapy Cover Letter
- Physician Assistant Cover Letter
- RN Cover Letter
- Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
- New Grad Registered Nurse Cover Letter
- Phlebotomist Cover Letter
- Emergency Medical Technician Cover Letter
- Massage Therapist Cover Letter
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:
Professional Cover Letter Examples
This physician cover letter template is Mass-General-ready:
Physician Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
M.D. (or specific job title from their job ad)
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Manager Title
Facility Name
Mailing Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
As Resident of the Year award recipient at Bloomington Central Medical Center, I know what it means to work hard. My work ethic and my use of excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a primary care setting made it happen.
I'm excited to apply for the physician opening at Wellhealth Medical System. I know from your job ad that you need someone with a DEA registration and experience working with young adults. You also highly value good time management skills. Here are a few of the accomplishments that make me a good choice:
- DEA registration. Valid as of 1/8/20 in good standing.
- Experience with young adults. Worked with a diverse population of young adults in an urban environment with 80% success rate to patient goals.
- Time management. Recognized by hospital administration for completing appointments and paperwork an average of 10% ahead of schedule.
I'd be happy to discuss how my skills in patient education, record keeping, and problem-solving can help WMS continue to provide healthcare excellence.
Best regards,
[Your Name], M.D.
[Phone Number]
[Email]
PS—I'd also like to share the insights into higher HCAHPS scores I gained during my internship in internal medicine at Mason District Hospital.
Wow.
A cover letter for physician jobs like that could land you at New York Presbyterian.
Now, here’s how to write physician cover letters that shine:
1. Choose the Best Physician Cover Letter Template
It all comes down to this:
You can’t afford to let them think you’re less than perfect.
So—start with a template cover letter for physicians that exudes professionalism.
The checklist below lets you control the outcome.
Sample Cover Letter for Physician—Checklist
- your address and other contact info
- the facility’s address
- Dear (hiring manager’s name)
- paragraph 1: your top job achievement that fits the online listing
- paragraph 2: passion + evidence to prove your work skills
- paragraph 3: next steps
- best regards and name + title
- PS + an extra hook
Pro Tip: Match your cover letter for physician positions to your resume. That means using the same layout, fonts, line-spacing, heading, and paragraph styles.
What’s the best format for a physician cover letter? See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
2. Start Your Physician Cover Letter Strong
Here’s the most important sentence in a cover letter for physician jobs:
The first one.
It must convince the administrator to keep reading.
Start it with a fact that hits them like 0.5mg of epinephrine.
These physician cover letter examples show how:
Physician Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
The first of these physician job cover letter examples is Yale-Newhaven-level.
The job wants an M.D. with interpersonal skills, communication skills, and experience in primary care.
| Right Example |
|---|
Elissa Chasse M.D. 4818 Simpson Street Bloomington, IL 61704 773-916-3190 elissazchasse@gmail.com 1/8/20 Micah Claypoole Recruiter Wellhealth Medical System 789 Apple Lane Bloomington, IL 61701 Dear Ms. Claypoole, As Resident of the Year award recipient at Bloomington Central Medical Center, I know what it means to work hard. My work ethic and my use of excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a primary care setting made it happen. |
Healthy.
Why does that physician cover letter example thrive?
Because it:
- Starts with a massive healthcare accomplishment
- Adds physician skills the job requires
But this physician job cover letter example is DOA:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
| Dear hiring manager. I’m a longtime physician with skills in patient education, documentation, and oncology. I have a history of helping patients achieve their healthcare goals. I’m applying for your physician position. |
Oof.
Cover letters for physician jobs like that need palliative care.
It has medical skills, but the wrong ones. Plus, it’s a clone of all the other cover letters.
Are you writing a physician cover letter with no experience? Simple.
Sample Cover Letter for Physician Technician [Entry-Level]
In entry-level physician job cover letters, get healthcare accomplishments from:
- Jobs you held before you had the M.D. title
- Medical school
- Internships and residencies
- Freelance or volunteer work
- Awards
- Certifications
Or begin your cover letter for physicians with:
- Your passion for healthcare
- An acquaintance inside the facility
- Why the hospital or clinic impresses you
- Some media attention they just received
See the next of our physician cover letter examples with no experience:
- Ever since I was five years old, I knew I would be a doctor.
- As Student Vice President of the Global Surgery Student Alliance at the Feinberg School of Medicine...
- When my research project on macular degeneration was written up in the Journal of Academic Medicine...
- I was excited to see that Wellhealth Medical System was awarded the Circle of Life Award.
- Alan Kiersen, your Director of Electrophysiology, suggested I write to you. He says my skills in patient interaction and assessment fit your needs.
Exceptional.
All those physician cover letter examples beat, “I’m interested in your physician job...”
Pro Tip: Your cover letter email for physicians doesn’t need a street address. Add your city to show proximity, and include your email address and phone number.
How can you start a cover letter for physician jobs that energizes hospital administrators? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide
3. Write an Energetic Physician Cover Letter Middle
You’re in trouble.
Catching the administrator’s eye is one thing.
Keeping it is different.
The risk?
You look like all the other physician applicants and they forget you.
To stand out like Virginia Apgar—
Write a Cleveland-Clinic-worthy second paragraph for your cover letter for physician jobs.
Show:
- Why you’re excited about this physician job
- That you understand the job requirements
- Some situations where your medical skills had impact
See these physician job cover letter examples:
Physician Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
The first of these physician cover letter examples excels. It packs excitement, your understanding of th ejob, and past use of the right skills.
| Right Example |
|---|
I'm excited to apply for the physician opening at Wellhealth Medical System. I know from your job ad that you need someone with a DEA registration and experience working with young adults. You also highly value good time management skills. Here are a few of the accomplishments that make me a good choice:
|
Ready for discharge.
That physician cover letter example works like aspirin.
But—
The next of our physician cover letter examples falters:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
| I like helping patients and working with other medical employees. I have high-level problem-solving skills, good practical skills, and I don’t mind working long hours under pressure. I’m also a good leader with a passion for learning. |
Ouch.
Turn your head and cough. Nowhere did you mention any of the job requirements.
Pro Tip: How can you show you have what they need, if you haven’t talked to them? To write the best cover letter for physicians on the list, do some informational interviews.
A physician cover letter should be just over half a page. See our guide: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
4. End Your Physician Cover Letter with an Offer
Let’s close up.
Self-advocacy works for patients.
It also works for physician job applicants.
To give yourself the best chance of success—
Ask for the job like the first of these physician cover letter examples:
Cover Letter Examples for Physician [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
I'd be happy to discuss how my skills in patient education, record keeping, and problem-solving can help WMS continue to provide healthcare excellence. Best regards, Elissa Chasse, M.D. 773-916-3190 elissazchasse@gmail.com PS—I'd also like to share the insights into higher HCAHPS scores I gained during my internship in internal medicine at Mason District Hospital. |
Perfect.
That physician cover letter sample doesn’t beg.
It offers:
- Additional physician skills
- Fresh insight that could aid the facility
But this physician job cover letter sample is a mortality risk:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I appreciate your time. You can reach me with the contact info below. |
That’s Cheyne-Stokes level.
It says nothing new or interesting.
Pro Tip: Want your physician cover letter to get noticed? Include a PS. Even a maxed-out recruiter will take time to read a PS sentence.
Need more intel for your cover letter for physicians third paragraph? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]
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Key Takeaway
How to write a physician cover letter:
- Use a solid physician cover letter format. The 3-paragraph approach stands out like Alexander Fleming.
- Lead with your biggest medical accomplishment. A cover letter for physician jobs has to wow them early on.
- Prove your healthcare skills. Show a few key moments that demonstrate you’ve got the right requirements.
- Offer something. A physician job cover letter has to give them a reason to invite you to the interview.
Not sure how to start your physician cover letter? Does your cover letter for physician jobs look malignant? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
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