Medical Doctor Resume Examples & Templates
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Doctors are highly respected professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. They diagnose illnesses, provide treatments and offer medical advice to their patients. Doctors have a great responsibility to their patients and must always strive to provide the best possible care.
Seeking to advance your medical doctor career? An effective doctor resume is the place to start. We have the perfect guide to write a great resume for doctors, with tips on what to include, must-have skills and a guide for writing an effective medical doctor resume. Plus, we’ll explain how to use a Resume Builder to your advantage.
Start by editing this medical doctor resume template or explore our 40+ resume templates to find the best one for you.
Doctor resume example (text version)
Ashton Norman
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
555 555 555
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Seasoned doctor with a demonstrated record of accomplishments in skilled patient evaluation, diagnostics and treatment planning to assist patients with controlling symptoms, improving health and making healthier choices Proficient in internal concerns such as heart diseases and problems of lung, brain or kidneys. Over 15 years of experience in healthcare.
Work History
November 2013 – Current
Northside Hospital – Sandy Springs, GA
Doctor
- Record patients’ health and histories and provide over 70 consultations weekly.
- Conduct physical assessment of relevant body areas and performed standardized tests to check responses.
- Order and execute various tests, analyses and diagnostics images to provide information on patient condition.
August 2009 – October 2013
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – Atlanta, GA
Doctor
- Suggested diagnostic and laboratory tests to establish underlying causes for patient symptoms.
- Leveraged expertise to assist over 12 patients daily in addressing routine infections as well as more complex concerns facing specific populations.
- Implemented therapeutic regimens involving medications and other interventions to mitigate symptoms and prevent reoccurrence.
May 2005 – July 2009
Select Specialty Hospital – Atlanta, GA
Doctor
- Thoroughly examined 10 patients daily and elicited medical history data to use in assessing health and identifying conditions.
- Endorsed changes in diet and suggested fitness activities to improve overall health and keep patients in better shape.
- Wrote medical prescriptions, detailing side effects and possible adverse reactions to keep patients informed and alert of potential issues.
Skills
- Diagnosing conditions
- Patient assessments
- Preventive care
- Patient treatment planning
- Prescribing medications
- Medical records management
- Strong communication
- Strong judgement
Education
- Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA
Residency - Emory University Atlanta, GA
M.D. - University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
Bachelor of Science Biology
Licenses
Licensed Medical Doctor in Georgia License# 123456
5 essentials of a top medical doctor resume
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your resume; otherwise, hiring managers won’t know how to contact you for an interview. Display your contact information like so: Your full name, then your city, state and ZIP code, followed by your phone number and professional email address. Add your LinkedIn profile and professional website (if you have them) last.
Want more inspiration? We have 800+ resume examples to help you create the perfect doctor resume.
Personal statement
A resume for a doctor must include a professional summary with appropriate skills and one or two notable accomplishments, and it should touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting your career, use a doctor resume objective instead.
Here’s a good doctor resume sample summary:
“Highly motivated and experienced doctor with a passion for providing excellent care to patients. Experienced in a wide variety of medical settings, with particular expertise in diagnostics, primary care and emergency medicine. Skilled in using the latest technology to streamline patient care. Committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to each and every patient.”
Skills
You’ve got to let potential employers know what skills you bring to the table. Create a separate section for your job-relevant skills and display them with bullet points to make them easy to read. Provide a mix of hard and soft skills for the best impression.
Skills for a medical doctor resume include: time management, organization, interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
Work history
Your doctor resume employment history section should list current and previous employers and provide business names, locations and the dates you worked for each. Include three to five bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list.
Be specific about your achievements and use numbers to show how you made an impact.
For example:
- Decreased patient wait times by an average of 30 minutes through the implementation of a new previsit patient intake process.
- Increased patient satisfaction ratings by 25% through the implementation of a practice-wide patient education program.
- Developed and implemented a practice-wide policy for prescribing medications that achieved a 5% decrease in medication errors.
If you don’t have work experience as a doctor, highlight relevant extracurricular activities, coursework, presentations, clinical and volunteer experience and community service.
Education
Hiring managers want to see your education credentials, so a resume for a doctor job must include an education section. Add all the educational institutions you’ve attended after high school and display the name of the schools and the years that you graduated in reverse-chronological order using bullet points. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes you’ve taken since graduating.
In order to become a doctor, you must have a minimum of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. This usually requires completing four years of medical school and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Beyond that, some doctors also pursue additional specialized training, such as a residency or fellowship, which can last up to seven years. Depending on the field of medicine, you may also be required to obtain a state license to practice.
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Action words for a stand-out medical work resume
Create a powerful resume by using action words. These verbs help tell the story of your career and accomplishments directly and unequivocally. Using action verbs can leave a good impression on a recruiter and help you stand out from the other candidates.
Here’s a short list of action words for a medical doctor resume:
- Diagnose
- Assess
- Research
- Administer
- Develop
- Coordinate
- Authorize
- Prioritize
- Advance
- Admit
These verbs can help you create a great medical doctor resume. If you want to make this process easier, our Resume Builder can help you write a fantastic resume for a medical doctor with step-by-step guidance, expert suggestions and download in multiple formats.
Top skills for a medical doctor resume
Carefully read the job description and include relevant skills that match yours.
Top skills for a doctor resume include:
- Symptoms assessment
- Stellar bedside manner
- Attention to detail
- Cultural competence
- Technical skills
- Patient care
- Collaboration
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Active listening
- Computer skills
- Clinical diagnostics
Need the perfect resume for an intensive care physician job now? Our Resume Builder has all the tools you need to craft a professional resume in minutes! You can make edits as you go, download your finished resume and save it in multiple file formats. It’s so easy!
Certifications for a medical doctor resume
Certifications add value and strength to your career and knowledge, plus it certifies that you are prepared to practice your specialty. When creating your certifications section, include all the required state and federal licenses and certifications. You can also include other job-related certifications that could make you stand out from the pool of applicants, like a paramedic certification.
There are several certification options for medical doctors, such as:
- American Board of Internal Medicine Certification (ABIM)
- American Board of Physician Specialties Certification in Family Medicine
- American Board of Physician Specialties Certification in Geriatric Medicine
- American Board of Physician Specialties Certification in Hospital Medicine
- American Board of Medical Specialties Continuing Certification
- American Board of Medical Specialties Board Certification (ABMS)
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Continuing Certification
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Medical Doctor resume FAQ
How to write a medical doctor resume?
A medical doctor resume must always include five primary sections:
- Contact information
- Personal profile
- Skills, such as knowledge of anatomy and physiology; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; and the bility to diagnose and treat illnesses.
- Job history
- Education
Then, your resume can include any number of sections, like:
- Professional memberships or associations, like: American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Pediatrics
- Presentations
- Publications
- Certifications and licenses, such as United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
- Volunteer experience
- Related hobbies and interests
The best way to know what to include is by reviewing the job description requirements.
If you need guidance to start, use the medical doctor resume sample on this page.
The easiest way to determine what sections to add to your resume and how to fill them out is by reviewing the essential requirements of the job description. Match the job requirements to your qualifications and add them to your resume.
How to write a cover letter for the resume of a medical doctor?
A cover letter is a great tool to expand on your resume. Like the resume, the cover letter is a one-page document, but it allows you to add storytelling to your work experience and education.
Follow our guide on how to write a cover letter to create an effective document. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Use a business letter format
- Create an eye-catching opening paragraph with your strongest skills, most important achievement and express why you’re interested in the institution.
- Use one or two body paragraphs to explain why you are a good fit for this position.
- Reiterate your interest and qualifications in the closing paragraph.
Here’s an example of a great medical doctor cover letter:
“Dear [Hiring Manager],
I am writing to express my interest in the position of [Medical Doctor] as advertised on [website]. With [number] years of experience in the medical field, I believe that I possess the skills and experience to make a positive contribution to your team.
I have a strong background in providing comprehensive medical care to a wide range of patients. I am knowledgeable in the latest medical practices, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and am familiar with the use of electronic health records.
I am confident that I can bring my skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the position to your team. I am motivated to help improve the health of my patients, and I am passionate about providing the best possible care to those in need.
I am eager to discuss my qualifications and experience in more detail, and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the position further. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.
Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Create a cover letter quickly with the help of our Cover Letter Builder, with step-by-step guidance and industry-specific content suggestions.
How can I create a good resume for a medical doctor?
A good resume for a medical doctor must present you as the best possible candidate.
To do this:
- Start with professional doctor resume examples.
- Include your strongest skills, such as knowledge of anatomy and physiology and the ability to interpret medical data.
- Include optional sections to add your certifications, awards and honors.
- Add a section focused on community initiatives and volunteer work.
Here are some tips to make your doctor resume stand out:
- Highlight any special training, certifications, or awards you have received.
- Incorporate any relevant volunteer experience you may have.
- Showcase a portfolio of your work if possible, such as medical research papers or patient case studies.
- If you have a specialty, make sure to focus on that specialty and highlight any accomplishments you have made in the field.
- Showcase any extracurricular activities or clubs you are part of in the medical field.
- Make sure to include any articles you have written or any presentations you have made.
- Include any special patient care techniques you have developed or medical advances you have made.
- Demonstrate your ability to stay up-to-date with the latest medical trends and technology.
- Showcase any positive feedback or reviews you have received from patients or colleagues.
- Use strong language in your resume that emphasizes your dedication to the field of medicine.
Do’s and don’ts for building a medical doctor resume
- Use action words such as diagnose, treat and prescribe to describe your career and achievements.
- Include measurable achievements in your work history and education section, if applicable. For example, “Provided quality care to over 2,000 patients.”
- Tailor your resume to your target medical doctor job.
- Use keywords such as “medical records,” “bedside manner” and “medical research” from the job description throughout your medical doctor resume.
- Format your medical doctor resume so that it’s ATS-friendly.
- Lie about your medical doctor experience and skills.
- Boast about your “incomparable” medical doctor abilities. Instead, emhasize real achievements, like “Published 8 medical research papers in peer-reviewed journals.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience that do not pertain to medicine.
- Forget to proofread. A medical doctor resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing a medical doctor interview
Research the company or institution before your interview.
Before your medical doctor job interview, you must make time to learn about the company, its mission, goals and values. This knowledge will help prepare you for the interview and to get a feel for the company culture. Plus, it will show the hiring manager your genuine interest, commitment and desirable skills for candidates.
Here are 10 things to consider:
- A commitment to patient safety and quality of care
- Evidence of continuing medical education
- Accreditation from a recognized body
- A well-equipped facility with up-to-date technology
- A supportive and knowledgeable administrative staff
- Fair compensation and benefits
- Flexible scheduling options
- Collaborative environment with other healthcare professionals
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- A culture of respect and professionalism
Practice at home.
Get ready for your interview by researching the most commonly asked questions in an interview. For example:
- What attracted you to this company?
- How do you determine priorities?
- What is the biggest mistake you’ve made?
And be prepared for medical-related questions, like:
- What experience do you have working in a medical setting?
- What challenges have you faced in your medical career and how did you address them?
- What techniques do you use to ensure patient safety and privacy?
- How would you prioritize tasks and manage a busy caseload?
- What do you think is the most important quality in a medical professional?
- How do you stay up to date with changes in the field of medicine?
- How do you handle difficult conversations with patients or their families?
- Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult medical decision.
- What strategies do you employ to remain organized and efficient?
- How do you ensure accurate record keeping and documentation?
Perform a mock interview with the help of a friend. Tell them to ask interview questions and provide feedback on your answers. Write down the answers and continue to practice on the days leading up to your interview. Practice in front of a mirror to work on your body language.
Prepare questions for your interview.
Asking questions at the end of your interview not only helps you clear up any concerns, it also shows your enthusiasm for the role. Prepare at least three questions to impress the recruiter.
Here are a few examples of questions to get you started:
- What kind of medical equipment will I have access to?
- What is the average patient volume?
- What are the expectations for patient care?
- What are the procedures for reporting medical errors?
- What is the team structure?
- How often are performance reviews conducted?
- What safety protocols are in place?
- What is the policy on continuing medical education?
Gather your references.
A medical doctor will need references when applying for a new position or starting their career. Be one step ahead and contact former managers and colleagues to be potential references. This group of people should be able to vouch for you, your work ethic and your skills. Explain to them where you are in the process and let them know they could receive a phone call or email. Also, ask ahead of time if they could prepare a letter of recommendation for you.
If this is your first job, request references from professors, classmates, volunteer coordinators, or someone that can corroborate your skills.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your medical career
CV examples for the next step in your medical career
- Anesthesiologist CV
- Chiropractic CV
- Clinical Project Manager CV
- Clinical Research Assistant CV
- Dermatologist CV
- Hospital Administrator CV
- Medical Laboratory Technologist CV
- Medical Doctor
- Medical Representative CV
- Medical Research Assistant CV
- Neurosurgeon CV
- Ophthalmologist CV
- Optometrist CV
- Orthopaedic Surgeon CV
- Orthopedic Surgeon CV
- Physician CV
- Podiatrist CV
- Psychiatrist CV
- Radiologist CV
- Surgeon CV
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbool. Physicians and Surgeons
- Hospital Careers. Medical Doctor
- Learn.org. Medical Doctor: Career Profile, Employment Outlook, and Educational Requirements
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Doctor Resume Example
Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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