Physical Therapy Cover Letter Sample

As someone who plays a critical role in supporting patients’ recovery, you need the right balance of technical knowledge and compassion for helping others.

Show employers you’re a great fit for the job by showcasing essential skills in an exceptional cover letter.

Here are three tips for writing a physical therapist cover letter that’s sure to capture their attention:

1. Highlight physical therapist skills

Physical therapists work one-on-one with patients to diagnose and treat many conditions associated with difficulty in movement.

From conducting hands-on therapy to developing treatment plans, you’ll need a combination of hard and soft skills like patience, empathy, and people skills to impress hiring managers.

Here’s a list of skills to highlight in a physical therapist cover letter:

• Active listening
• Time management skills
• Leadership skills
• People skills
• Communication skills
• Compassion
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strength and coordination
• Dexterity
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Understanding of rehabilitation principles and procedures
• Computer skills (laboratory reports, X-rays, and medical statistics)
• Software (MediGraph, MEDITECH, and Clinicient Insight)

2. Show your passion for helping others

Because physical therapy involves working closely with patients with diverse histories, employers need to know that you have passion for the role.

In your cover letter, convey enthusiasm for the role to show employers you’re committed to supporting patients throughout the rehabilitation process. If possible, connect a personal passion to the job to explain why you’re interested.

For example, talk about how you experienced firsthand the remarkable impact that a physical therapist had on your dad’s recovery and how you want to do the same for others.

3. Emphasize your interpersonal skills

In addition to working closely with patients, physical therapists are responsible for evaluating their progress and educating families on the recovery process. Therefore, emphasizing your interpersonal skills in your cover letter is vital.

You’ll need to prove you have interpersonal skills by providing examples of times you maintained successful relationships with patients and collaborated with other specialists to set up a treatment plan.

For example, talk about how you’ve assisted patients by using an exercise-based approach to provide physical rehabilitation, before reaching out to your network to connect them with additional resources for their other needs.