As a physical therapist, your clients rely on your technical skills, but your behavioural skills are no less important. Clients with any kind of physical impairment need your empathy – you need to understand why they are in the room with you before you can tell them how it will get better.
The physical therapy cover letter is the place to show just how much you value this human touch. When you only have one page for your cover letter (no more), this is no easy task. Be highly selective with your storytelling. Relevance will secure you that magical interview.
Manager full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mrs. Gibson,
I am excited to apply for the position of Physical Therapist at Nuffield Health. As a highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professional with a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Birmingham and over five years of experience in the field, I am confident that my expertise and dedication to patient care make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong foundation in various aspects of physical therapy, including musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions, and post-operative rehabilitation. My patient-centered approach, combined with my ability to design and implement individualized treatment plans, has enabled me to consistently achieve positive outcomes and improve patients' quality of life. I am committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in physical therapy to ensure that my patients receive the most effective and evidence-based care.
In my current role as a Senior Physical Therapist at Bupa, I have been responsible for managing a diverse caseload of patients across multiple settings, including outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community-based programs. My strong assessment skills, manual therapy techniques, and ability to motivate and educate patients have been instrumental in helping them achieve their rehabilitation goals. Additionally, I have experience in mentoring and supervising junior therapists, contributing to the professional development of the team.
One of my notable achievements was the development and implementation of a falls prevention program for elderly patients in the community. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and leveraging my expertise in balance and gait training, I was able to create a comprehensive program that significantly reduced the incidence of falls and improved participants' confidence and mobility. This initiative not only enhanced patient outcomes but also demonstrated my ability to lead and drive positive change within the healthcare system.
I am particularly drawn to Nuffield Health's reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and its commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. I believe that my skills, experience, and passion for helping others align perfectly with the organization's values and mission, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of its patients.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my expertise and dedication can contribute to the success of Nuffield Health's physical therapy services.
Sincerely,
Barbara Fisher
Sections of a physical therapist cover letter
Every treatment plan will follow a set pattern, and it is much the same with your cover letter.
- Cover Letter Header: Detail your full name, address, and mobile number. This should be duplicated from your CV.
- Greeting: Relationships matter when you are a physical therapist, so make sure that you find out the name of the hiring manager and address them personally.
- Introduction: Dive straight into the career stories at the start of the letter. Pick one that is closest to the sort of work you will be doing with your next employer. Make sure that it demonstrates problem-solving, innovative thinking, or flexibility. You need to stand out.
- Body: The body of the cover letter should contain a couple of complicated clients where the treatment was not straightforward. Obviously respect confidentiality by not including too many details but show that you have what it takes to tackle the most extreme cases. Including specifics here will pave the way to telling the stories in full during an interview – you can steer that conversation, so think carefully.
- Conclusion: You cannot know the fine details of the role in question, so show that you are curious to find out more by saying that you are looking forward to the possibility of an interview. Say this with hope rather than expectation.
- Signature: Sign off with your name and, ideally, an e-signature if you have a PDF-format CV (this will be the case for the majority of employers).
Aim for a concise, one-page cover letter. Communicating concisely and effectively is important for a physical therapist – get to the point and secure that interview.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples from the sector:
There are plenty of micro-decisions when writing a cover letter. What font should you use? How big should it be? How many paragraphs should you write? For answers to these questions and many more, check out our article on how to write a cover letter.
Introduction of a physical therapist cover letter
When you start a cover letter for a physical therapist, those first few lines should engage the hiring manager and get them thinking about what it might be like to work with you.
Balance the details of your accomplishment with the nuances of how you got there. How you deal with your clients should be front and centre at the start of the cover letter.
Dear Mrs. Harrison,
As a dedicated physical therapist with over five years of experience, I am excited to apply for the Physical Therapist position at your clinic. My background includes a proven track record of improving patient mobility by 30% within three months, successfully managing a caseload of up to 20 patients per week, and developing customised rehabilitation programs. My commitment to patient care and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Hi,
I don’t care who walks into my clinic; I know that I can help them get better. My methods are unique, and I am not afraid to go against popular advice—it is only when you bend the rules that you come up with innovative solutions. My clients know that they are in good hands—they come to me because I am the best.
Show that you are results-driven by including percentages and statistics about improving client outcomes. If you cannot talk about your achievements in such a way, how can a hiring manager believe your career boasts?
Dear Mrs. Gibson,
I am excited to apply for the position of Physical Therapist at Nuffield Health. As a highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professional with a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Birmingham and over five years of experience in the field, I am confident that my expertise and dedication to patient care make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Physical therapy cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow this formula:
- Share the aspects of your skillset that fit best with the role in question
- Focus on behaviours as well as accomplishments
- Don’t duplicate the content of your CV – that would be a waste
- Think about what your hiring manager would like to find out about you
First body paragraph - Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
Focus on a story that outlines a rare skill or a difficult situation. You should be proficient in dealing with difficult patients or complicated cases – the cover letter is the place to show that you have the experience to deal with whatever comes your way.
Here are the ingredients of a compelling physical therapy story:
- Talk about your clients: Client welfare should be your highest priority.
- Show that you are a communicator: Keep your writing concise. Hiring managers will assume that you are an effective communicator.
- Include complicated medical issues: Will you dive into the deep end and provide the highest levels of care, even when complications arise?
- Say that you are always learning: Ongoing education is essential in an evolving profession – especially in terms of technology.
“Talk to previous clients to get an impression of how they found your treatment. You might even choose to share a link to your LinkedIn profile (or other online source) where you are able to list positive comments from previous patients.”
Second body paragraph(s) - Alignment with the organisation
Whether you are working in a physical therapy practice or as a part of a wider medical team, fitting in with the culture of the workplace is essential.
Analyse the job description and do some research on the internet where possible. How does this medical team want to be with its clients? Talk to people within your community who have been there. What was their experience of their care? Doing this research shows the hiring manager that you are going into the job with your eyes open.
Use the cover letter format to make a compelling case.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong foundation in various aspects of physical therapy, including musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions, and post-operative rehabilitation. My patient-centered approach, combined with my ability to design and implement individualized treatment plans, has enabled me to consistently achieve positive outcomes and improve patients' quality of life. I am committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in physical therapy to ensure that my patients receive the most effective and evidence-based care.
In my current role as a Senior Physical Therapist at Bupa, I have been responsible for managing a diverse caseload of patients across multiple settings, including outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community-based programs. My strong assessment skills, manual therapy techniques, and ability to motivate and educate patients have been instrumental in helping them achieve their rehabilitation goals. Additionally, I have experience in mentoring and supervising junior therapists, contributing to the professional development of the team.
One of my notable achievements was the development and implementation of a falls prevention program for elderly patients in the community. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and leveraging my expertise in balance and gait training, I was able to create a comprehensive program that significantly reduced the incidence of falls and improved participants' confidence and mobility. This initiative not only enhanced patient outcomes but also demonstrated my ability to lead and drive positive change within the healthcare system.
I am particularly drawn to Nuffield Health's reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and its commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. I believe that my skills, experience, and passion for helping others align perfectly with the organization's values and mission, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of its patients.
Call to action & conclusion – Finish off strong
Finish with a call-to-action that you are looking forward to an interview. Give the impression that you want the job but also that you are considering your various options. Don’t say this explicitly, but it should be in a hiring manager’s mind. Creating a sense that they could lose you to another employer will work in your favour – come across as hopeful and confident.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my expertise and dedication can contribute to the success of Nuffield Health's physical therapy services.
Sincerely,
Barbara Fisher
How to write a physical therapist cover letter with no experience
Applying to become a physical therapist with little previous experience is no easy task. There are plenty of training and education credentials that must be satisfied before you start to treat clients.
While you might not be able to apply with zero experience, the first application that you make after you have completed your education should not be too daunting.
- Include any practical experience during your studies – internships and volunteering will be viewed particularly favourably.
- Make sure that you are joining a larger practice that has a track record of developing recently qualified physical therapists.
Everyone starts somewhere. Make sure that your cover letter with no experience contains plenty of motivation and personality that will help to convey your potential. Hiring managers know what to look for in someone who is just starting out in their career.
Key takeaway
By this point, you are on the way to creating a physical therapy cover letter that highlights your relevant skills and experiences.
Try our cover letter builder to find the perfect look for the cover letter – appearances matter.
