You’ve finished your coursework and spent hours practicing clinical procedures to become a medical assistant. Now it is time to lift the lid on why all those long hours of study and work experience are relevant to what you will offer your future employer. Motivation is everything during those long night shifts and a cover letter is the perfect medium to explain your "why."
A medical assistant position can open up a world of possibilities in the healthcare industry. You may become inspired to pursue nursing or develop a specialty like pediatrics, optometry, or cardiology. An effective cover letter is the key to unlocking all these advantages by expressing your unique interests and perspectives. Medical assistants come from a dizzying range of backgrounds, so make sure that your cover letter matches the opportunity you are seeking. Tailor how you portray your experience in every letter.
With the growing need for healthcare in the U.S., medical assistants are in high demand. This role allows doctors to see more patients in a day, making them invaluable in hospitals and private practices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the job market for medical assistants will grow by 14% from 2022 to 2032 — much faster than the average 4% rate for other professions.
Convincing a potential employer why they should hire you is about highlighting your strongest skills, personality traits, and experiences. It can be an invaluable way to fill in any gaps left by your resume.
This medical assistant cover letter writing guide, along with the corresponding medical assistant cover letter example, will:
- Break down the cover letter's format into key sections with manageable steps
- Show you how to optimize the impact of each section of your medical assistant cover letter: header, greeting, introduction, body, and conclusion
- Suggest free examples, templates, and guides to simplify the writing process
- Help you avoid common mistakes with science-backed tips to strengthen your letter
Let’s dive into the guide below to cover the details (you can also check out our library of cover letter examples for inspiration).
Why do you need a cover letter?
If you’ve already created your resume, you know it’s great for expressing dates, employers, and degrees. But no matter how much industry experience you’ve had, this type of factual data isn’t the whole story. There are moments, events, skills, and achievements that make up who you are as a medical assistant and a person.
That’s why a cover letter is a helpful part of the job search. This document is a chance for you to convince an employer — by illustrating your abilities in action — that you possess the unique qualities other candidates lack.
The job search is competitive, and as a medical assistant, you’re often up against many candidates who have the same certificate or degree and similar amounts of experience. An exceptional cover letter is one of the best ways to maximize your application’s chances. Because its structure is less rigid than a resume's, you have the opportunity to focus on your most positive moments and biggest achievements in a way that tells your story. Highlighting what makes you an unique caregiver and coworker is the best way to ensure your cover letter has maximum impact.
And if you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related cover letter examples:
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- Medical receptionist cover Letter Sample
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- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Cover Letter Sample
Best format for a medical assistant cover letter
Many applicants dread the cover letter writing process because they believe the document lacks a framework, but there’s no need to worry. We’re going to break down each part of the cover letter into manageable and frustration-free steps.
Learning to write an effective cover letter is a skill that will benefit you throughout your career. That’s because professional cover letter writing structure remains consistent between industries and medical assistant jobs.
The format of a medical assistant cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
- Signature
Dear Mr. Latham,
Having spent four years as a medical assistant at the Fines Hospital, I hope to make my next step in the profession after my move to New Orleans.
I began my career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, learning the essentials of patient care from the best in the business. I enjoyed the rigor of compliance and quickly learned how to integrate technology to ensure the best outcomes. My subsequent degree in Medical Assisting built on my practical knowledge.
I have experience in the full range of geriatric medicine practice, with a specialty in cancer care. My accuracy in both the administrative and medical aspects of the role meant that I was invited to become part of the hospital’s training program and have now started to train new starters myself.
I am experienced in the full range of patient care: explaining treatments and medication, changing dressings, taking electrocardiograms, preparing, and administering medications. Working with the world-class cancer team taught me many lessons that cannot be found in a medical textbook. I am a regular attendee at industry conferences and have a broad network of fellow medical assistants to learn from.
Compassion is obviously at the heart of the job, but you first need to have a solid grasp of the medical situation. Engaging with clients and their families is easier when all the medical boxes have been ticked. I led a project to increase overall engagement with our patient portal, which led to a 37% increase in satisfaction in exit surveys and an improvement in patient payment terms.
I would love to have the opportunity of an interview to tell you more about how I hope that my journey may continue with your medical operation.
Yours sincerely,
Harrison Smith
Cover letter design
The overall look of your medical assistant cover letter should be professional and inviting. Keep in mind it will give recruiters their first impression of you, which means you should keep it simple, clean, and polished.
Because the medical industry trends more toward formality, consider using a simple, modern or professional design.
Cover letter header
The cover letter header serves two roles, the most important of which is to identify the document as belonging to you. Hospitals and health networks often have large teams of HR professionals who receive dozens of applications every day. Your header makes sure that no matter whose desk the letter lands on, they'll have your name and contact information at their fingertips.
Make the header as compact as possible. You don't have to include your full postal address - this can come at the offer stage. Also, it's not a requirement to include the employer's address; this is a requirement for only the most formal of roles. You can, of course, include it if you wish, as the address of the hospital will be public knowledge.
The header’s second purpose is to add aesthetically-pleasing formatting elements that make the document easier to read. It helps separate your personal information from the body of the letter and catches the hiring manager’s eye when they start reading at the top of the page.
The goal of this section: Keep your name and contact information at the forefront of your letter and create visual appeal.
Align document styles!
Your header is one of the only places where you may be able to add a touch of color to an otherwise plain sheet of paper. Proceed with caution, however, since medical institutions are fairly formal workplaces. A neutral color scheme can add a touch of flair while keeping things professional.
For an even more polished look, try aligning the header styles at the top of your cover letter, resume, and other job application materials. This helps create a “personal brand” or visual stamp that sticks in the hiring manager’s mind even after they’ve finished reading your letter.
Cover letter greeting
Your medical assistant cover letter greeting is intended to establish a personal connection with the recipient before getting into the body. Although the greeting only contains a few words, you’ll want to make sure to use the right formalities and professional tone.
“Dear” followed by the correct salutation and a last name is a standard greeting that works well in a variety of situations. Be careful to address the cover letter to the correct person. The best option is to look at the job description or find out the name of the HR manager. If you can't, it's fine to go with "Dear Hiring Manager" instead.
The goal of this section: Personally address the reader to create a connection and establish the right tone.
Dear Mr. Latham,
What’s in a name?
Research has shown that our brains emit a positive chemical reaction upon hearing our own name. There’s one scientific reason to address your cover letter to an individual. Beyond that, it’s a great way to show you’ve taken the time to get to know the hospital or office and are interested in developing a good rapport.
In private practices, a quick phone call to the receptionist can often yield the name of the person who handles hiring. In large hospitals and health systems, however, it’s not necessary to go to extreme lengths to find the exact person who will be reading your letter. Oftentimes, it’s a sizable team.
In that case, a greeting that uses the name of the clinic, hospital, or practice will be just fine. Something along the lines of “Dear Union Memorial Human Resources Team” or “Dear Good Shepherd Hiring Manager” can work well.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction is one of the most vital parts of a compelling cover letter. You’ll need to inject this section with enough energy and intrigue to keep a hiring manager reading your document even with a stack of other letters waiting to be read.
One of the best ways to do this is with an interesting anecdote, a bold perspective, or other exciting personal introduction. Just remember to keep the tone professional and in line with the medical industry.
The goal of this section: Grab the reader’s attention in a way that seamlessly transitions into the body of the letter.
Having spent four years as a medical assistant at the Fines Hospital, I hope to make my next step in the profession after my move to New Orleans.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters are where you can really make the case for yourself as the top candidate for the job. With more space to expand on the details that matter, you can show your medical expertise and patient care experience.
Share specific examples and anecdotes from your work history. It's helpful to use the STAR method to explain past achievements and milestones. First, briefly describe a Situation and Task, then the Action you took and the positive Result. For maximum effectiveness, make sure to keep these anecdotes short and relevant to the needs of the potential employer.
Working in the medical field means performing under pressure, serving patients with a smile, and communicating with diverse groups of people. Of course, you also need to leverage your medical knowledge daily. Therefore, your cover letter body should show examples that prove your skills in these areas.
The goal of this section: Describe your previous achievements in a concrete and relevant way and explain the contributions you could make in this potential workplace.
I began my career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, learning the essentials of patient care from the best in the business. I enjoyed the rigor of compliance and quickly learned how to integrate technology to ensure the best outcomes. My subsequent degree in Medical Assisting built on my practical knowledge.
I have experience in the full range of geriatric medicine practice, with a specialty in cancer care. My accuracy in both the administrative and medical aspects of the role meant that I was invited to become part of the hospital’s training program and have now started to train new starters myself.
I am experienced in the full range of patient care: explaining treatments and medication, changing dressings, taking electrocardiograms, preparing, and administering medications. Working with the world-class cancer team taught me many lessons that cannot be found in a medical textbook. I am a regular attendee at industry conferences and have a broad network of fellow medical assistants to learn from.
Compassion is obviously at the heart of the job, but you first need to have a solid grasp of the medical situation. Engaging with clients and their families is easier when all the medical boxes have been ticked. I led a project to increase overall engagement with our patient portal, which led to a 37% increase in satisfaction in exit surveys and an improvement in patient payment terms.
How to close a medical assistant cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Now that you’ve laid out your strongest arguments for why you’re the ideal candidate, it’s time to create a respectful and enthusiastic conclusion. To maximize your chances of getting an interview, use a call to action. This sentence expresses your interest in the opportunity and invites a hiring manager to get in touch. You may also choose to leave your phone number and email address here as well.
Then, sign off with a polite closing like “Sincerely,” “Best,” or “Best Regards.”
The goal of this section: End the letter on a positive note and use a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you.
I would love to have the opportunity of an interview to tell you more about how I hope that my journey may continue with your medical operation.
Yours sincerely,
Harrison Smith
Writing psychology: how to convey your work ethic in your cover letter
When applying for a medical assistant position, there are a few key qualities you’ll want to convey:
- Passion: There are a lot of certified medical assistants who can draw blood and take vital signs, but passion separates the good from the great. Make sure to communicate why you love what you do and how that motivates you to excel at your job.
- Empathy: Respect and understanding go a long way to build trust between medical staff and patients. You’ll want to come across as warm, caring, and compassionate in your cover letter.
- Ability to work under pressure: Hospitals can be tough and stressful work environments. Make sure you demonstrate stamina and the ability to perform calmly and efficiently even during emergency situations. This is especially important for entry level applicants.
- Discipline: As a medical assistant, you’ll need to be on your feet and ready to go at all times. Your cover letter is a great place to convey the motivation and attention to detail that makes a difference in saving patients’ lives.
Using emotion to persuade
Human beings love a good story. In fact, the positive effects of storytelling on the brain have been well documented by science. One of the reasons stories stick with us is their ability to evoke emotion and empathy for others.
Creating a cover letter that offers emotional appeal is a great way to connect with a hiring manager and increase your chances of landing an interview. And as a professional in the medical industry, you likely have no shortage of stories showing strength in the face of adversity. The trick is choosing the right ones that highlight your most relevant qualities for the position at hand.
To increase your cover letter’s persuasive power, you’ll need to grab a hiring manager’s attention right from the start. Opening your anecdote in the middle of the action is one great way to do this. By creating a bit of suspense or intrigue, you can lead the reader to the part of the story where you took action to create a positive outcome for a coworker or patient.
Make sure to keep your anecdote focused and concise so that the hiring manager doesn’t lose interest before hearing about your contribution. You should also tailor your stories for the type of work you’ll be doing in this new position. For example, if the position is with a nursing home, a story involving a geriatric cardiac patient might be a better fit than your experience in pediatrics.
Any facts, figures, or data you can give about your position or the situation will help create a stronger image in the hiring manager’s mind. Don’t bore them with the details, but choose a few key numbers to drive home the scale of your achievements.
Storytelling in practice
Let’s take a look at this example of emotion and story in the opening paragraph of a cover letter.
I will never forget my first day as a medical assistant. A patient was being wheeled into the operating room for emergency surgery and I could see the fear in her eyes. As doctors and nurses moved quickly around her, I sensed she needed comfort. I came up beside her and smiled.
“Everything is going to be alright,” I said. “I promise they know what they’re doing.”
She squeezed my hand tight. Her surgery was successful and a day later she was discharged.
That simple experience made me realize the power that medical assistants have to show empathy and compassion when our patients are in distress. While doctors may lead the treatment, our role in preparing, supporting, and monitoring can make all the difference in a patient’s outcome. That’s why every day I strive to treat each of the 20 patients in my oncology unit with dignity, respect, and care.
Medical assistant cover letter with no experience
Not all medical assistants will have worked in the role before. Some may be students, while others may be looking for part-time experience after their graduation as they explore other roles in medicine. A medical assistant role is a great springboard for many medical professions, so not all hiring managers will be expecting a huge amount of experience; some may prefer to train people in their ways of doing things. If you feel that you lack experience, consider the following:
- Look at the transferrable skills that are required - in particular around people and process. Experience with high-volume customer service can show an ability to work with people under pressure, while any caregiving work like nannying shoes an ability to care for others.
- Show all the desired personality traits - determination, motivation, warmth, organization.
- Demonstrate evidence of learning and developing in a tough field of study. You could make note of any training courses you've taken or additional certifications you've earned.
- Share your personal "why." To succeed in the medical field, you'll need a passion for the work, so display that here.
Basic mistakes in a medical assistant application letter (and how to avoid them)
Let’s take a look at some writing tips to help you avoid the places where other job seekers for medical assistant positions may fall short.
- A generic letter: As discussed, one of the most important things you can do to ensure your application’s success is adapt your cover letter to showcase the most skills and traits for the position based on the company image and job description.
- Overly complex medical jargon: Naturally, you’ll want to demonstrate knowledge of medical procedures, but remember that the person reading your letter is likely an HR professional and not a medical expert. Make sure to keep your terminology within what can be reasonably understood by the average reader.
- Too much focus on hard skills: Specific hard skills can be listed quite efficiently on your resume. While these skills are important to the position, make sure your cover letter has ample focus on the soft skills and personality traits that make you stand out.
- Formatting and spelling errors: Typos and grammatical mistakes make you look rushed and uninterested in the position. It’s a good idea to ask a friend to proofread your cover letter before you submit. Professional cover letter templates can help you avoid common formatting mistakes.
Key takeaways
- Your cover letter is an important opportunity to make your application stand out from the other candidates.
- Hiring managers can spot generic copy-paste letters from a mile away. Make sure to tailor each one with skills and accomplishments relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Follow the tested cover letter structure outlined in this guide to simplify the writing process and keep your document easy to understand.
- Use storytelling and emotional appeal to resonate with the hiring manager. A couple of key numbers and facts can also strengthen your message.
- Avoid spelling errors and make sure your formatting looks sharp and appropriate for the medical industry. Professional tools can help.
If you want to create the perfect cover letter in just a few minutes, try Resume.io's ready-made and carefully market-researched cover letter templates and simply start writing.
