As a physician assistant (PA), you help doctors and other workers in the medical ecosystem ensure that each patient gets optimal care. You primarily stick with minor procedures within the patient-facing area of your role, although you might still diagnose and treat common ailments under supervision.
However, you might be uncertain about how to exhibit your professional value when writing a cover letter. Will it adequately complement your physician assistant resume? How do you show recruiters that you excel at your job and make recovery easier?
Pave your way to success with our three physician assistant cover letter examples and cover letter generator. We’ve been helping people in medical roles for years and have learned a thing or two, so try our time-tested hints.
Why this cover letter works
- How about going against the grain by letting your physician assistant cover letter intro talk about your achievements? You’ll come across as a candidate who knows their craft and confident – two attributes that recruiters value the most.
- Be sure to include achievements that directly relate to the role you’re applying for. Anything else will treated as blowing your own trumpet.
Level up your
cover letter game
Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.
Physician Assistant New Grad Cover Letter Example
USE THIS TEMPLATE
Why this cover letter works
- You may not know this, but your school practical projects are crucial in showing your potential to employer when you’re a fresh graduate.
- Look at how Isla’ physician assistant new grad cover letter leverages a research project that saw her, together with classmates, design a project that would help homecare provide better care recovering patients. Such an approach would give recruiters a view of your capabilities.
Dermatology Physician Assistant Cover Letter Example
USE THIS TEMPLATE
Why this cover letter works
- Wherever you’ve worked before, were you a highly efficient performer? Potential employers want to know, and you can be sure to get hired.
- A great example is how this dermatology physician assistant cover letter highlights the role in improving operational efficiency by 24 percent and ensuring better workflow.
Related cover letter examples
How to Write A Memorable Physician Assistant Cover Letter
Each organization, facility, and clinic is different, so adjust your cover letter for each job ad you apply to. You don’t want your cover letter to emphasize work experiences that center around oncology if you’re applying for a physician assistant role in a pediatric practice!
Your job skills and personal traits that make you an excellent fit for the job should match the job description, showing how you understand the nuances in your field.
Writing your greeting and introduction
Just like it’s important to show each patient that you care by addressing them by name, you’ll need to find out who you’re writing your cover letter to. Shun vague greetings that look like placeholders and research the company to find out who’s in charge of the hiring process so you can greet them by name.
Next, your opening paragraph should share why you want the job and why you’re qualified for it—AKA, why they want you to be their next physician assistant! Drop in some relevant traits and skills (reference your physician assistant resume for inspiration) to show your understanding of the role and connect with the company by aligning yourself with their values.
Make sure you hook your audience here, too! Don’t cram your opening paragraph with too much good stuff. Leave the reader wanting more.
Just avoid coming across as informal, pompous, or informal like . . . this:
Ouch . . .
Hi to the hiring manager:
I don’t know who your current physician assistants are but I bet I can do better because I have so many different skills. I’ll tell you about them now.
Instead, try an opener like this one, which connects with the company and its values through a passion for the role and a good hook:
That feels much better!
Dear Mr. Scott,
As a seasoned dermatology physician assistant with a proven record of excellence in dermatological care, I’m eager to bring my unique blend of clinical acumen and genuine patient empathy to Kansas City Dermatology. My experience at both CompHealth and Barton Associates has honed my skills and nurtured my passion for the art and science of dermatology, equipping me to be a valuable addition to your team.
Writing your body paragraphs well
What you put in your body paragraphs depends entirely on your niche as a physician assistant. Each paragraph should center around a primary success point, and that point should relate directly to the role you’re hoping for!
Share stories of how you expedited patient recovery and improved efficiency for other medical staff members. If you have additional credentials or certificates that helped you get the job done, like a CPR cert, add them, too.
Make sure you include metrics that bolster your achievements and give the reader a sense of scale for the positive differences you’ve made, such as a percentage to accentuate those patient recovery rates. Can you mention how many work hours you saved with your efficiency and responsiveness?
Example of a nice, memorable body paragraph
My experience as a receptionist at Valley Health Team equipped me with profound knowledge of patient interaction and front-end healthcare administration. Using specialized software, I ensured seamless appointment scheduling, leading to a 24% decrease in wait times. My dedication to patient care was mirrored in my ability to address queries promptly and resolve complaints, achieving a notable 98% resolution rate without needing escalation.
Closing and signing off your physician assistant cover letter
Your closing paragraph is your final opportunity to sum up your qualifications as a physician assistant—and why you and the company want you to fill that open role! Reconnect with the company and wrap up your alignment with their priorities.
Don’t forget to work a call to action into your closing paragraph. You want the opportunity to discuss more of your qualifications and how nicely they align with the job requirements! And always thank the reader for their time.
You can include your thank-you in the closer or use it as your signoff, depending on what flows better. If you decide not to use it as your signoff, use one that’s formal and professional. Always sign with your real name.
Don’t lapse and become vague or use nicknames or an inappropriately informal tone like in this ineffective closer:
Ugh:
Ok so there are my accomplishments and you can totally see how they’d help you out. I’m ready to start anytime so I can send more skills and stuff if you want.
Bye for now,
Jenni
Look how much more effective it is to reinforce alignment with the organization’s values, include a call to action and a thank-you, and sign off with style:
Okay, that works!
I’m eager to discuss how my background aligns seamlessly with the ethos and objectives of Saint Agnes Medical Center. I look forward to the opportunity to delve into my potential contributions and I’m available at your earliest convenience for further discussion or an interview. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Emre Yilmaz
Physician Assistant Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of active verbs
- While you always want to present yourself professionally in your physician assistant cover letter, the last thing you want is to come across as low-energy! One of the best ways to demonstrate your ambition and enthusiasm for the job is to use active verbs while you write your PA cover letter. Think of words that get the reader imagining what you can do (think words like “ensured,” “collaborated,” “enhanced,” and “revolutionized”). Go for quality over quantity here since it can be easy to overdo it and make your cover letter too wordy. Pick specific verbs that reinforce your metrics and achievements.
- Body paragraph points aren’t job-specific
- There are many moving parts within the medical ecosystem, so make sure you include keywords that speak to your niche as a physician assistant. You’ll also want to reference the original job description to find out exactly what talents they need: It’ll fall pretty flat if you focus on geriatric-specific treatments in a cover letter to a pediatric clinic!
- Writing lacks the proper tone
- Since your expertise and readiness to help will set you apart as a PA, your cover letter should sound confident and authoritative. The recruiter should immediately see that you’re ready to take action, whether that’s alone or as part of a team. You’ll probably need to respond to emergencies and general (but urgent) medical needs, depending on the patient. Demonstrate these qualities through your examples, and reference the organization’s website and job ad to get an idea of the right company culture or “mood” for your cover letter.
Think of how you’d connect with people on a personal level, discussing things you have in common! Do the same with the company you’re applying to while maintaining the right angle at the back of your mind. “How does this alignment reinforce my excellence as a physician assistant?”
Refer to the job description again and the company website, too. Even their professional social media accounts are great places to get a feel for the company culture! Demonstrate the attentiveness you show patients by reflecting on the organization’s writing style in your cover letter.
Yes, we recommend this. Just write “Enclosures:” at the bottom of your cover letter and list whatever else you add to your application package. (Enclosures probably include the application itself, your resume, and any professional recommendations or relevant certificates that qualify you for a physician assistant role.)
