Your EMT cover letter can be the helping hand that enlivens the search for your next job. A well-written EMT cover letter is the driver of your success!
A halfhearted cover letter could slow your application down while others speed into interviews. Put some energy into your message and get moving through the application process with a letter that heightens their interest.
The best EMT cover letters contain energy, passion, and a great story.
EMT full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mrs. Smith
I am excited to apply for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) position at American Medical Response (AMR). As a certified EMT with a passion for providing exceptional pre-hospital care, I am confident in my ability to make a valuable contribution to your team and the communities you serve.
I recently completed my EMT certification through the renowned EMT program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During my training, I gained hands-on experience in patient assessment, basic life support, and emergency medical care. I also had the opportunity to complete clinical rotations with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), where I worked alongside experienced paramedics and firefighters to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies.
Through my clinical experience with the LAFD, I have developed strong skills in patient assessment, trauma care, and medical emergency management. I have also honed my ability to work effectively under pressure, communicate clearly with patients and team members, and maintain composure in high-stress situations. These skills, combined with my dedication to providing compassionate care, make me a strong candidate for the EMT position at AMR.
I am particularly drawn to AMR's reputation as a leader in emergency medical services and its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. I admire AMR's focus on innovation, safety, and employee development, and I am excited about the opportunity to grow as an EMT within your organization. I am also impressed by AMR's community outreach programs and its efforts to educate the public about emergency preparedness and response.
In addition to my EMT certification and clinical experience, I have also demonstrated strong teamwork and leadership skills. As a volunteer with the American Red Cross, I have assisted with disaster response efforts and provided first aid training to community members.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further how my qualifications align with the needs of AMR and how I can contribute to your mission of providing compassionate, reliable, and professional emergency medical services. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and making a positive impact in the lives of the patients and communities we serve.
Sincerely,
John Wills
Sections of an EMT cover letter
Why should the fire department or ambulance service hire you? Build the answer into all the sections of your cover letter:
- Cover letter header. Clearly list all the information the hiring manager needs to contact you. Include the date.
- Greeting. Take the opportunity to make a direct connection by addressing your reader by name.
- Introduction. Get the attention of the hiring manager by showing your passion for your work and your proudest moment.
- Body. This is where you include all the vitals that tell the story of your excellence – your experience, skills and accomplishments. Correlate your values with that of the healthcare institution.
- Conclusion. Finish strong by summarizing your message. Add a call to action that encourages the hiring manager to reach out.
- Signature. End with a professional goodbye, including your name.
While your EMT cover letter contains many sections, its parts combine to form a complete answer to the question: Why should I hire you? Aim for one page that relates your career progression and passion for helping people in distress.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples:
Our article on how to write a cover letter offers general advice on every section of a cover letter, but lets get started with tips specifically geared toward an EMT introduction.
Introduction of an EMT cover letter
The life of an EMT can be both rewarding and stressful. Focus the start of your letter on your proudest accomplishment—one that made you forget the strain of some days.
Hook your reader with the emotions you, the patient, and any people present at the emergency felt as you heroically worked to save a life.
Dear Dr. Cassandra Ali,
I do this job because I’m a helper. The day I held onto the hand of a scared 5-year-old boy while he was trapped in a car waiting for the Jaws of Life and calmed him by talking about our dogs is one I will hold onto forever. Seeing the family reunited in the hospital and knowing that I had helped save the boy’s leg was the best moment of my 8-year career.
Dear Dr. Cassandra Ali,
I have 8 years of experience as a second-shift EMT. I have seen many different types of emergencies and have used my skills and training to save lives and make people more comfortable.
Note the difference in the first and second intros. The first provides a heartwarming story of compassion and skill in the face of a stressful situation. The story's details leave a vivid impression of an EMT who not only has medical know-how but connects with the people he serves. The second introduction could be written by almost any emergency medical technician.
Dear Mrs. Smith
I am excited to apply for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) position at American Medical Response (AMR). As a certified EMT with a passion for providing exceptional pre-hospital care, I am confident in my ability to make a valuable contribution to your team and the communities you serve.
EMT cover letter body
The body of a cover letter for an EMT job follows a formula:
- Showcase your skills and experience
- Describe how your philosophy and work process mesh with that of the medical facility
- Conclude with a memorable summary
- Leave the hiring manager with a call to action that makes them want to contact you
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
Start here where you left off in your introduction. You’ve highlighted your passion for helping in emergencies, now continue by focusing this paragraph of your EMT cover letter on the skills and attributes that make you a great fit for the job.
Breathe life into your story by infusing your qualifications throughout. For example:
- Highlight your training. EMTs may start out after completing a four-month course, but any advanced courses show that you have elevated your knowledge and want to keep up-to-date on current medical technology and methods.
- Technological skills. Provide examples of times you have used medical technology and the results you achieved.
- Stress management. Mention a hobby, activity, breathing technique or other method that helps you stay calm under pressure or let off steam in a healthy way after a tough shift.
- Assessing and triaging patients. Describe how you decide what procedures to do immediately and when to get the patient directly to the hospital. What about if there is more than one injured person?
- Communication and empathy. Tell either about talking to patients’ loved ones at a scene or how you relate to other medical personnel when you impart pertinent information.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with patient demographics
Healthcare providers pledge to do the utmost to ensure or restore the health of patients, but some facilities specialize in helping a segment of the population or emphasize some aspects of medical care over others.
Convince the hiring manager that your experience and skills are an excellent match for their needs and culture.
For example, let’s say you’re applying to MedStar Health in the Washington, D.C., area. Its mission page emphasizes:
- Community
- Patient-centric view
- Learning and applying new knowledge
And its motto is “MedStar Health—it’s how we treat people.”
How do you embody these qualities? Imbue your EMT cover letter with examples and anecdotes that show how you treat people.
I recently completed my EMT certification through the renowned EMT program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During my training, I gained hands-on experience in patient assessment, basic life support, and emergency medical care. I also had the opportunity to complete clinical rotations with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), where I worked alongside experienced paramedics and firefighters to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies.
Through my clinical experience with the LAFD, I have developed strong skills in patient assessment, trauma care, and medical emergency management. I have also honed my ability to work effectively under pressure, communicate clearly with patients and team members, and maintain composure in high-stress situations. These skills, combined with my dedication to providing compassionate care, make me a strong candidate for the EMT position at AMR.
I am particularly drawn to AMR's reputation as a leader in emergency medical services and its commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. I admire AMR's focus on innovation, safety, and employee development, and I am excited about the opportunity to grow as an EMT within your organization. I am also impressed by AMR's community outreach programs and its efforts to educate the public about emergency preparedness and response.
In addition to my EMT certification and clinical experience, I have also demonstrated strong teamwork and leadership skills. As a volunteer with the American Red Cross, I have assisted with disaster response efforts and provided first aid training to community members.
Call to action & conclusion: end with flair
End strong with a final reminder of your greatest strengths and your excellent fit for the organization.
Then, extend an invitation for the hiring manager to contact you. For example: “I would love to discuss how my experience growing up in the hospital neighborhood can help create comfort for patients in times of stress.”
Finish by thanking your reader for taking the time to consider your application. Politeness never hurts.
Sign off with “Sincerely” or “Regards,” and your full name.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further how my qualifications align with the needs of AMR and how I can contribute to your mission of providing compassionate, reliable, and professional emergency medical services. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and making a positive impact in the lives of the patients and communities we serve.
Sincerely,
John Wills
How to write an EMT cover letter with no experience
If you have completed an EMT certificate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), you have the foundational skills necessary to do the job. But if you’re looking for your first employment opportunity in the field, how do you go beyond listing your certifications when writing an EMT cover letter with no experience?
- Focus on transferable skills. These are skills you’ve demonstrated in different contexts. If you’ve had a job before becoming an EMT, you may have used customer service or organizational skills, for example.
- Highlight your interpersonal skills. As an EMT you will work with a partner, medical personnel, and other hospital staff as well as the patients in crisis, their loved ones and any bystanders if you are attending to a public emergency. Illustrate times you’ve used your calm under pressure, excellent communication and problem-solving to make a difficult situation a bit easier.
- Answer the question: “Why did you become an EMT?” Let your passion for helping others or your interest in medicine shine through.
All of these techniques will help the hiring manager see past your lack of direct experience and imagine the excellent employee you will become.
Key takeaways
A standout cover letter for an EMT job gives your empathy and medical knowledge top billing. It focuses on how your unique strengths and experience align with that of the healthcare facility and why you’re passionate about providing first-line medical attention.
Our cover letter builder leads you through crafting an EMT cover letter that will speed the completion of your job application and be a siren call to hiring managers.
