A medical cover letter is a document submitted as part of an application for a job as a medical assistant.
The applicant uses a cover letter to showcase their skills and interests and explain why they are interested in the job. A medical assistant performs various functions, including:
- Taking medical histories
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Explaining medical procedures to patients
- Informing patients about special diets and medication
- Preparing, maintaining, and updating patients’ medical records
- Schedule patient visits and send reminders
- Taking inventory of office and medical supplies
A medical cover letter is essential when applying for a job because it allows applicants to showcase their specialized skills to the recruiter. Medical jobs often require specific skills; using this letter, you can state and explain your skills while showing how you’ve used them and how they apply to the job you’re seeking.
Use Professional-Looking Format
A professional cover letter allows you to highlight all your skills and qualifications to the recruiter. A professional format ensures you make an excellent first impression on the recruiter. The format also counts towards the general outline of your document and makes it easy for the recruiter to scan it and get the information they need.
You should format your medical assistant cover letter as follows:
- Use a professional font for your cover letter. Some fonts, especially those that are cursive, give the impression that you’re not professional. Some recommended professional fonts include Times New Roman, Arial, and Helvetica. Make sure you use similar fonts in both; your resume and cover letter.
- The largest font size you should use in your cover letter should be 12 points, and the smallest should be 10 points.
- You must keep the length of your cover letter to one page, as recommended by professionals.
- Your margins should be at least 0.5 inches and at most 1 inch depending on how much space you need.
- You must make sure your document is left aligned.
- Use single spacing for your cover letters and ensure proper spacing between paragraphs.
- Most employers recommend saving and sending your cover letter in PDF format as it is easier to read and print and cannot be easily edited.
Five Steps: How to Write Medical Assistant Cover Letter?
A medical cover letter must highlight the applicant’s best skills and qualifications. To ensure this, the applicant should ensure they follow the steps below:
Step 1: Start with a professional header
A professional header should contain all your contact information, including; your name, title, phone number, Email, and LinkedIn profile, the date the application is being made, and the contact details of the hiring manager, as shown in the example below:
[Your Name]
{Title]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
[LinkedIn Profile]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Title]
[Company]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip code]
Step 2: Address the hiring manager
After introducing yourself and indicating the address of the hiring manager, you need to address the hiring manager in a way that captures their attention. It is preferred to address the hiring manager by name to create a personal connection. For example:
Dear [HR Manager’s name],
Step 3: Write the opening by mentioning the job position
After addressing the hiring manager, your first paragraph must be concise. This section decides whether the recruiter wants to read the cover letter further. This should be a professional introduction to who you are and the position you seek. Mention the role exactly as it is stated in the job description; this leaves no doubt as to why you’re making the application. In the first paragraph, mention your best skills and highest and most relevant education qualifications to catch the recruiter’s attention.
For example:
‘My name is [full name]. I am interested in taking the [mention the position role] in [the hospital or medical facility name].’ I saw your job ad in [mention where you saw the job posting.]. I am a [state your most relevant certifications] with [write number of years of experience]. My experience has exposed me to diverse medical environments, and I believe my [specify relevant skills] and experience will significantly contribute to your team.
Step 4: Write the body of the cover letter
The body of your cover letter contains the bulk of the application. Mention your skills and qualifications. Beginning with your educational details, list your experience and skills. Medical assistant jobs entail performing specialized tasks; as such, you need to describe your skills and explain how you have utilized them.
The body of your cover letter should follow the order below:
- Write your education details: Medical assistant jobs require specific educational qualifications. Highlighting your capabilities in your cover letter lets the hiring manager know that you are qualified for the job. Your qualifications may include bachelor’s or associate degrees or a postsecondary certificate in medical assisting. Whatever the qualifications you may have, you must mention them in your cover letter.
- Elaborate your experience: Medical assistant jobs are highly specialized and often have a standard list of skills you should possess. Therefore, it is crucial to list your work experience to show your expertise. Previous work experience also allows you to show how you gained your skills and used them. List previous experiences by stating that you have worked in an office and performed administrative duties. When applying for an entry-level job, you do not have much work experience; you should talk about the highlights of your internship, the things about the facility you like, or give a referral from another employee.
- Highlight your skills and abilities: In medicine, most hiring managers need to know whether you have the required skills for the job. Listing your skills lets the hiring manager know your skill level and expertise. Enlist soft skills, especially interpersonal skills, since the medical field requires professionals to have good bedside manners. It also shows that you are a well-rounded employee. When applying for your first medical assistant job, you may list the highlights of your internship or aspects of the job that interest you. Your cover letter is your way of pitching to the recruiter; that is why you should list your best skills; you can highlight your other skills in your resume.
Some of the skills you can list are:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Customer service
- Bookkeeping skills
- Active listening
- Adaptability
- Basic Life support skills
- Manual dexterity
- Proficient in taking patient records and doctor instructions
- Medical software management
The body of your cover letter may look like this:
I am a certified medical assistant with [mention relevant education certifications]. Your advertisement mentioned that you need a medical assistant who can [mention the skills in the job description]. I believe that I am [mention the matching skills], which make me a suitable candidate for the advertised position. Further, I have experience in [mention relevant work experience with detailed examples], which I believe are suited for [mention the advertised position].
Step 5: Close the letter by requesting an interview
The conclusion of your cover letter should be a summary of the content of your letter concisely. The language used should convey enthusiasm on your part. To emphasize your interest in the job, ask for an interview in person or virtually or express interest in the recruitment process. Thank the recruiter for their consideration and time. Be sure to end the letter with a professional salutation. A well-written conclusion increases your chances of getting a callback.
Your conclusion may look like this:
I would like to have a chance to discuss how my skills would help [mention the facility] achieve its objectives more in person or in an interview on a day and time of your choosing. I appreciate your consideration.
Kind regards,
[Digital signature]
Sample of Medical Assistant Cover Letter
Faith Grace,
(098) 765-4321,
LinkedIn profile: Faith Grace.
June 15, 2018.
Luke Toddstone,
Hiring Manager,
Forsyth Stone Inc.,
 654 Fifth Avenue, Tudor, Georgia.
Dear Mr. Toddstone,
I write to express my interest in the medical assistant position at Forsyth Stone Inc. I am a certified NCMA Medical Assistant with four years of experience in patient care. I am hopeful that I’ll get the chance to utilize my skills at your facility.
I have been a Medical Assistant at Fourwinds Inc., where I was tasked with administrative duties, including scheduling and following up on patient appointments, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting my supervising doctors. In addition, I created efficient patient schedules and utilized my Microsoft tools and medical software skills to ensure the facility’s smooth running. As a result, I was awarded the best patient care during my term at Fourwinds Inc.
I’ve also been trained in basic nursing, life support, and record management. Because of my experience, I am excellent at creating rapport between myself, colleagues, and patients, and I am confident that I will be a good team player.
I appreciate your consideration. I hope to hear from you about the Medical Assistant position at Forsyth Stone. In addition, I hope to improve my knowledge and skills at your award-winning facility.
Kind regards,
Faith Grace.
Medical Assistant Cover Letter Templates
You can download free medical assistant cover letter templates which are given below:
Consider the Following
When writing your medical assistant cover letter, you need to ensure it is straightforward enough that the recruiter can scan and see your qualifications. Your cover letter should increase your chances of getting a callback.
It would be best to consider the following:
Tailor the cover letter to the job posting
Jobs in the medical field are specific to qualifications and the tasks to be performed. Therefore, to ensure that your cover letter attracts the recruiter’s attention, you must tailor your cover letter to the job posting. Customize your cover letter using the keywords and tasks in the job description. State the relevant skills and qualifications to maximize highlighting your achievements.
Use action verbs
Action verbs draw attention to your skills and highlight your achievements. They show that you’ve gone beyond describing your qualifications and show how you performed tasks.
Some of the action verbs you may use are:
- Improved
- Reduced
- Conveyed
- Discussed
- Explained
- Specified
- Facilitated
- Administered
- Nurtured
- Supported
- Standardized
Wrapping Up
A medical assistant cover letter is part of your application. It should boost your chances of getting the job. However, it would be best if you highlighted the best of your skills and qualifications. It should also convey your interest in the position and willingness to participate in the recruitment process. Your cover letter is the first chance to make a good impression on the recruiter; a professionally formatted letter shows that you are meticulous and organized. You should research the facility, see what they look for in an employee from their profiles, and use the same to tailor your cover letter to the job. If you need to add a reference, be sure they are a person with a professional capacity similar to your potential employer, this boosts your chances of getting the job.