As a physical therapist assistant, your cover letter needs to convey your clinical expertise and genuine passion for health care. Highlight the positive impact you’ve had on your patients and how your contributions have improved clinical outcomes. Our guide provides expert tips and examples to help translate your medical experience into a strong physical therapy assistant cover letter.
Physical Therapist Assistant Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Level
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Physical Therapist Assistant Cover Letter
The first step in building your physical therapy assistant cover letter is to carefully evaluate the job description. Before crafting your content, assess how your core values and professional experience align with the physical therapy practice you’re targeting. For example, if the organization is known for its commitment to evidence-based treatment and patient-centered care, these terms should be heavily featured throughout your document. By tailoring your cover letter to each job application, you’ll greatly increase your odds of landing the interview.
1. Contact information and salutation
Greeting the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name] is important. This small personal touch shows you’ve taken the time to learn more about the company before submitting your physical therapist assistant cover letter. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” Also, include all of your contact information in the header of your document to allow potential employers to easily contact you for an interview.
2. Introductory paragraph
Open your physical therapist cover letter with a powerful introduction to draw the attention of the hiring manager. Highlight your years of experience within the health care field and key specializations that match the organization’s needs. Anchor your paragraph with an eye-catching achievement, preferably backed by clinical data. This immediately shows potential employers that you have a proven track record of success within the physical therapy field.
Example
As you can see from my attached resume, I have 10 years of experience providing physical therapy services to improve daily life for over 600 patients. As a physical therapist assistant at New England Therapy Partners, I supported strategic initiatives to record and evaluate patient data to enhance the quality of treatment for our clients. My unique background in refining treatment plans will help to improve patient outcomes for your organization.
3. Body paragraphs
Continue to describe your professional experience, achievements, and qualifications in the body paragraphs of your cover letter. Mention something specific about the practice’s mission statement or reputation and why this draws you to apply for the position. Emphasize your passion and dedication to improving quality of life for patients. Showcase your clinical approach to physical therapy and your ability to build rapport with diverse clients.
Example
Your organization’s reputation for providing empathetic care strongly resonates with me as a health care professional. I can help your team continue to deliver quality care to patients based on the following achievements from my career:
- Coordinated with physical therapists and physical therapy aides to design, tailor, and deliver customized physical therapy treatment plans for patients based on individual needs, which resulted in a 93% patient satisfaction rating
- Created detailed documentation on patient treatment response, analyzed data, and reported findings to licensed physical therapists to evaluate and alter treatment regimen
- Provided training to patients in the use of the equipment and orthopedic braces
4. Key skills and qualifications
As you build your cover letter, be sure to incorporate key skills and clinical specialties that align with the job posting. Rather than simply listing these terms as you would on the resume, tactically infuse these qualifications into your paragraphs. Below is a list of physical therapy-related skills you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Qualifications | |
|---|---|
| Aerobics | Dry needling |
| Empathetic care | Health care |
| Hydrotherapy | Injury prevention |
| Interdisciplinary | Kinesiology |
| Manual muscle testing (MMT) | Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) |
| Orthopedic rehabilitation | Outpatient treatment |
| Pain management | Patient assessment |
| Patient-centered care | Patient education |
| Patient management | Physical therapy |
| Rehabilitation plans | Sports medicine |
| Strength training | Treatment planning |
5. Closing paragraphs
The closing statement of your physical therapy assistant cover letter should include a call to action that invites the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview. This conveys your confidence and genuine interest in the opportunity you’re applying for. Be sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration in the last sentence of the paragraph.
Example
I look forward to scheduling an interview to tell you more about how my background in refining treatment plans can help improve patient outcomes at your practice. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Arthur Maxwell
Physical Therapist Assistant Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your clinical expertise
When building your physical therapist assistant cover letter, it’s important to feature key clinical skills that align with the needs of the practice you’re applying to. In the example below, the candidate highlights their experience applying patient-centered care and evidence-based treatment approaches to drive positive clinical outcomes:
With over five years of experience as a physical therapist assistant, I’ve worked with diverse patient populations and licensed therapists to provide patient-centered care. During my time at Brooklyn Physical Therapy, I administered highly effective treatment to clients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. My extensive background in evidence-based treatment would be a valuable asset to Manhattan United Health.
2. Quantify your physical therapy experience
Incorporating clinical data and quality metrics is a great way to help your physical therapist assistant cover letter stand out from the competition during the job hunt. Notice how, in the example below, the applicant highlights exceptional patient satisfaction scores and a significant increase in positive clinical outcomes. These insights can make all the difference in whether or not your application advances to the next stage of the hiring process:
- Utilized clinical tools to record, monitor, and track patient treatment responses, evaluated findings with the physical therapy team, and coordinated with therapists to refine evidence-based treatment methods for clients, resulting in a 25% improvement in positive patient outcomes
- Evaluated range-of-motion, pain levels, and physical limitations with licensed physical therapists to identify optimal treatment plans, contributing to a 92% patient satisfaction rating
- Provided mentorship and coaching to graduate students and monitored performance during treatment regimens
3. Emphasize communication and interpersonal skills
Being a successful physical therapist assistant requires more than just clinical expertise. This occupation also requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. When building your cover letter, it’s important to emphasize how you’ve delivered empathetic care and cultivated positive patient relationships. This shows potential employers that you have the medical knowledge and emotional intelligence to succeed in the position:
- Provided empathetic care and emotional support to patients throughout the treatment process, built and maintained positive relationships, and achieved physical therapy goals in 90% of patients
- Delivered inpatient and outpatient treatment and support to clients, including therapeutic exercises, massages, and strength training
- Coordinated with the physical therapist to reduce pain, prevent injuries, and increase mobility for patients by tailoring treatment regimens and adjusting plans based on client response
Physical Therapist Assistant Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Level
- Senior-Level
Jason Ramirez
Physical Therapist Assistant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., New York, NY 12345
January 1, 2024
Helga Waters
Hiring Manager
Manhattan United Health
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Waters,
With over five years of experience as a physical therapist assistant, I’ve worked with diverse patient populations and licensed therapists to provide patient-centered care. During my time at Brooklyn Physical Therapy, I administered highly effective treatment to clients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. My extensive background in evidence-based treatment would be a valuable asset to Manhattan United Health.
Your organization’s mission of delivering patient-centered care strongly aligns with my physical therapy background. I am confident I can be a valuable contributor to Manhattan United Health based on my professional achievements:
- Provided empathetic care and emotional support to patients throughout the treatment process, built and maintained positive relationships, and achieved physical therapy goals in 90% of patients
- Delivered inpatient and outpatient treatment and support to clients, including therapeutic exercises, massages, and strength training
- Coordinated with the physical therapist to reduce pain, prevent injuries, and increase mobility for patients by tailoring treatment regimens and adjusting plans based on client response
I would like to schedule an interview to provide more insights into how my expertise in evidence-based care can benefit your organization. Feel free to contact me for additional information based on your schedule.
Sincerely,
Jason Ramirez
Physical Therapist Assistant Cover Letter FAQs
Why should I submit a physical therapist assistant cover letter?-
While not every application will require a physical therapist assistant cover letter, taking the time to include one can often yield certain advantages during the job search. The cover letter provides an opportunity to convey your genuine passion for patient care using a more personal approach. It also allows you to express your genuine interest in the practice you’re targeting, which can help you stand out from other applicants.
How long should my cover letter be?-
It’s best to keep your cover letter to a reasonable length, limited to no more than 400 words. Hiring managers have limited bandwidth to read through each application they receive, so it’s important to make every word count. Avoid long-winded paragraphs that simply restate information from your resume and instead focus on including new insights to bolster the strength of your application.
Should I use artificial intelligence to write my cover letter?-
Although artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to evolve, these tools still have limitations. Using an AI tool to write your first draft is a viable option, but you still need to infuse your own insights and voice into your content. Relying solely on AI to write your document is likely to result in a generic, uninspiring document that won’t help your job prospects.
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