Physician CV Example & Writing Guide
Create a job-winning curriculum vitae in minutes using our physician CV examples. Pick the example physician CV with your specialty, edit it in our Builder, and immediately apply to top jobs.
Physician CV Example
A well-written CV is more than just a list of your previous jobs and qualifications. To build a compelling physician CV, you’ve got to include the necessary sections and highlight unique achievements and skills that prove you’re the best match for the job.
Use this physician CV template as a starting point when writing your CV, but make sure to personalize it:
How to Write a Physician CV
Crafting a compelling physician CV is essential for medical professionals seeking new opportunities, whether it’s a residency, fellowship or attending physician role. A well-structured medical CV showcases your qualifications and experience and demonstrates your commitment to the field.
Below is a guide on writing a CV for any physician role with curated tips to help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Physician CV sections:
- Contact information
- CV summary or CV objective
- Education
- Work experience
- Research experience
- Skills
- Licenses and certifications
- Publications
- Professional affiliations
- Conferences
- Volunteer work
Remember that your CV should reflect your unique qualifications and align with the job you’re applying for, so it’s unnecessary to include every section listed.
Since the sections listed above are the most common in a medical CV template, we’ll guide you through writing each one.
If you’re ready to start, you can create a personalized curriculum vitae using our easy-to-use CV Builder.
1. Contact information
Your physician CV contact information should include the following details:
- Your name
- Professional title (MD or DO)
- Phone number
- City and state where you reside
- LinkedIn or relevant social media accounts (optional)
Here’s an example of a physician CV’s contact information section:
Dr. Emily Johnson, MD
St. Louis, MO
555-555-5555
emily.johnson.md@livecareer.com
linkedin.com/in/emilyjohnsonmd
2. CV summary or CV objective
You will follow your contact information with a brief paragraph introducing yourself to potential employers by sharing your top qualifications for the job. This section can be a CV summary or a CV objective, depending on your experience level.
If you’re an experienced physician, a summary is suitable for showcasing all your skills and achievements. However, suppose you’re applying for a fellowship or your first physician job. In that case, an objective statement is a better approach since it allows you to share your career aspirations and goals.
Check out these two examples to determine which approach is best for you:
CV summary for physician
“Board-certified family medicine physician with 10+ years of experience providing patient-centered care across all age groups. Skilled in preventive care and chronic disease management, achieving a 95% patient satisfaction rate. Dedicated to promoting long-term wellness through evidence-based practices.”
CV objective for medical student
“Motivated medical student with a strong passion for ophthalmology, seeking fellowship program further to develop expertise in vision care and ocular surgery. Extensive hands-on experience through clinical rotations and research in ocular diseases, focusing on glaucoma and cataract management. Published research on innovative treatment approaches in glaucoma care and skilled in using advanced diagnostic tools like slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Eager to expand my skills in ophthalmic surgery and collaborate with experts to improve patient outcomes and contribute to advancements in eye care.”
PRO TIP
Looking for more ideas for your CV summary or objective? You can browse our collection of medical resume templates for tailored content for various jobs in medicine and healthcare.
3. Education
The CV education section is crucial when writing a physician CV since this is where you showcase all your required education and academic accomplishments that set you apart from other applicants.
Here’s how you should structure the physician CV education section:
- Clearly state your degree (e.g., Doctor of Medicine, MD; Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, DO).
- Include the full name of the institution where you earned your degree and its location (city and state).
- Feel free to omit your graduation dates to avoid age-based hiring biases. You can indicate your expected graduation date if you are still pursuing your degree.
- Mention any academic honors, distinctions or awards you received during your studies, such as cum laude honors, scholarships or being part of scholarly societies.
- Suppose you want to strengthen your CV education section as a student physician. In that case, you may also include relevant coursework, clinical rotations or thesis titles, mainly if these are relevant to the role or specialty you are pursuing.
Use this example of a physician CV education section as a reference when writing your own:
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Harvard Medical School — Boston, MA
Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Duke University — Durham, NC
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
4. Work experience
If you’re a physician with previous experience, you’ll add a work experience section describing notable accomplishments from each job.
Focusing more on unique achievements rather than generic job duties is the key to making this section impactful enough to get you a job interview.
For doctors, this looks like showcasing outstanding patient care stories or backing up your procedures’ success rates with numbers.
Here’s an example of a physician CV example’s work experience section:
Attending Physician – Family Medicine
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
July 2018 – Present
- Provide comprehensive primary care for diverse patient populations, managing acute and chronic conditions.
- Specialize in preventive care and chronic disease management, including diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
- Supervised and mentored 12 residents, improving clinical skills and patient management.
- Achieved 98% patient satisfaction rate by implementing personalized care plans and improving follow-up procedures.
5. Research experience
A section outlining research experience is necessary for physicians seeking a full-time job in a research hospital or new doctors entering residency programs or fellowships.
Any experience with research proves you possess profound medical knowledge, analytical skills and commitment to advancing the field.
As you list your research experience, briefly describe the focus area, your role and any notable outcomes. Be specific about the techniques or methods you used and the medical significance of the work.
Here’s an example of a research experience section for a physician’s CV:
Research Assistant – Glaucoma Treatment Outcomes
Johns Hopkins University, Department of Ophthalmology, Baltimore, MD
June 2020 – May 2021
- Assisted in clinical study focused on evaluating the long-term effectiveness of novel glaucoma treatments in elderly patients.
- Collected and analyzed patient data from over 150 participants using advanced diagnostic tools.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to publish findings in the Journal of Ophthalmology.
6. Skills
A simple but effective way to showcase all your qualifications as a physician is with a CV skills section.
Formatting the skills section is pretty straightforward. A simple bulleted list of soft skills will suffice. To make this section pop, include a balanced mix of soft and hard skills and tailor your selection to respond to the job’s requirements.
Some of the most in-demand skills for physicians today are:
- Telemedicine
- Cultural competency
- Patient-centered care
- Research and data analysis
- Emotional intelligence
- Clinical and diagnostic skills
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Continuous learning
- Organization skills
- Stress management
- Time management
7. Licenses and certifications
A separate CV section for licenses and certifications is an accessible way for recruiters to quickly review whether you possess the necessary legal qualifications to practice medicine and highlight your areas of expertise. For example, you may include any of the following on your physician CV:
Medical licenses: List each state where you hold a medical license, including the issuing authority and the date of issuance. Ensure this information is current and accurate, as potential employers or credentialing bodies will verify it.
Board certifications: Include all certifications relevant to your specialty (e.g., American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Ophthalmology). Specify the certification date and, if applicable, recertification dates.
DEA certification: If applicable, list the DEA certification that allows you to prescribe controlled substances.
Other relevant certifications: Include additional certifications that are valuable in the medical field, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or specialty-related certifications.
8. Publications
A section for publications is an integral part of a physician CV, especially if you’re applying to academic positions, fellowships or research-oriented roles.
Published work in reputable journals signals that you are a credible and respected authority in your field. They also demonstrate your involvement in addressing current issues or trends in healthcare, positioning you as a forward-thinking and proactive physician.
- If you have multiple types of publications, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, conference abstracts or book chapters, consider organizing them by category in your CV.
- Start with peer-reviewed articles, as these carry the most weight in the medical field.
- List your publications chronologically and follow a standard citing format, ideally the American Medical Association (AMA) style.
Here’s a visual example of how a physician’s CV section for publications looks like:
Publications
Smith J, Rowan M, Patel R. “Long-Term Outcomes of Beta-Blocker Therapy in Hypertensive Patients.” Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 45, Issue 6, pp. 123-130, June 2021.
Rowan M, Miller L. “A Review of New Therapies for Glaucoma Treatment.” Ophthalmology Today, Vol. 32, pp. 45-51, April 2020.
Chen T, Rowan M, et al. “The Role of Early Intervention in Diabetic Retinopathy.” Diabetes and Vision, Vol. 11, Issue 4, pp. 78-84, February 2019.
9. Professional affiliations
If you’re applying for a job that values ongoing commitment to the medical community and is searching for a candidate with a solid professional network, a “Professional affiliations” section will be crucial in your physician CV.
When listing the organizations you’re a member of, note if you hold a leadership position like a board member, committee chair or fellow. Share the dates you were involved in each organization, and if you’re a current member, you can simply write “Present.”
Check out how we list professional affiliations in our physician CV examples:
Professional affiliations
- Member, American Medical Association (AMA), 2016 – Present
- Fellow, American College of Physicians (ACP), 2020 – Present
- Member, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), 2018 – Present
- Committee Chair, Medical Education and Training, California Medical Association (CMA), 2019 – 2021
10. Conferences
A Conferences section where you can mention instances when you presented at conferences or were invited as a speaker can be a great addition to your physician CV example.
Attending conferences allows you to network with other medical professionals, exchange ideas and collaborate on research, which are crucial for career growth.
A “conferences” CV section is required for physicians seeking roles in academia or research. Like publications, physicians go to conferences to share their expertise with peers.
Reference this example when writing your physician CV “Conferences” section:
Conferences
- Presenter, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, October 2022
Presented research on “Novel Glaucoma Treatments: A Multicenter Clinical Trial.” - Attendee, American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, April 2021
Participated in sessions on chronic disease management and healthcare innovations. - Speaker, Advances in Cardiology Conference, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, September 2020
Presented on “The Role of Early Intervention in Heart Disease Prevention.”
11. Volunteer work
As a physician, demonstrating your genuine dedication to caring for others is equally important as having expert medical knowledge. A section for showcasing volunteer work in your CV will help you stand out as a desirable candidate for the most coveted positions in the healthcare industry.
This section gives employers a peek into your commitment to community service and humanitarian efforts. The volunteer work section is significant for those applying to residency programs, fellowships, or positions where community involvement and compassionate care are highly valued.
If you think a volunteer work section would benefit your application, check out this example:
Volunteer Work
- Medical Volunteer, Doctors Without Borders, Haiti
June 2021 – July 2021- Provided primary care to underserved populations in rural clinics, treating over 150 patients with limited access to healthcare.
- Collaborated with local healthcare workers to deliver health education on hygiene and infectious disease prevention.
PRO TIP
Curriculum vitae are the standard job application document for physicians and most professions in the medical field. However, if a job advertisement requests a resume, you can find more tailored advice and examples in our doctor resume writing guide.
Tips for a Great Physician CV
Creating a strong physician CV involves listing your qualifications and experience. To compete with equally accomplished candidates, follow these tips and maximize your curriculum vitae to its fullest potential.
Tailor your CV to the job or specialty. The most important tip we can give you for making a lasting impression on hiring managers is carefully selecting CV skills and experiences that directly respond to a specific job’s needs. Whenever you apply to a new job, try to tailor the skills and summary for that role.
Incorporate relevant keywords. Employers sometimes use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter CVs. To ensure your CV passes through these systems, incorporate relevant keywords that align with the job description. Examples of common keywords could include “patient care,” “clinical research,” “board-certified” or specialty-specific terms like “pediatrics” or “oncology.”
Include a professional development section. If you have little experience as a physician just starting, you can include a “Professional Development” section to compensate for a sparse work experience section. Highlight any continuing education, courses, seminars and workshops that show you’re dedicated to growing your expertise.
Use metrics to quantify achievements. Medical employers, especially those in research and hospitals, value the financial benefits a candidate can bring. Therefore, including quantifiable achievements related to how much budget you utilized or saved can give you an edge over your competitors.
Keep it concise and well-formatted. Although there is no limit to your CV’s length, aim to include the most relevant information and avoid word stuffing. Make it easy for recruiters to scan your resume with concise bullet points, standard line spacing, one-inch margins and a readable font like Arial, Verdana or Georgia.
More Physician CV Examples
We’ve created a special selection of physician CV examples for various medical fields and career scenarios you can use as references when building yours. Click on any CV to begin building your own within our CV Builder.
Physician assistant CV example
Doctor CV example
Medical school CV example
Family medicine CV example
Ophthalmologist CV example
Internal medicine physician CV example
Pediatrician CV example
Surgeon CV example
FAQ
Should I include a photo on my physician CV example?
It depends on the context. Suppose you’re seeking a job in the U.S.. In that case, profile pictures aren’t recommended in physician resumes or CV due to discrimination laws that prevent employers from taking race, identity or gender into account when hiring. However, outside the U.S., profile pictures are more common.
Do I need to include references on my physician CV?
No. Including references on your physician CV isn’t necessary. A section for references would take away valuable space you could use for other relevant achievements. You may provide employers with references whenever they request them in a separate document.
How do I write a CV if I’m a recent medical graduate with limited experience?
For recent medical graduates, highlight your medical education, clinical rotations, relevant internships, research and volunteer work. Emphasize any specific skills or clinical experiences relevant to the jobs or specialties you’re applying for, and include any leadership or academic awards.
Can I include non-medical work experience on my CV?
Yes. You can include non-medical work experience on your CV, especially if they showcase valuable transferable skills related to the job, like leadership, communication or management.
How should I address employment gaps on my physician CV?
If you have employment gaps, be honest and transparent about them. Briefly explain the reason for these gaps in your cover letter or work experience. Paint these gaps positively by highlighting any skills or certifications you gained during that time to show you remained engaged with your professional development.
Should I include my GPA or MCAT scores on my CV?
For most physician CVs, including your GPA or MCAT scores isn’t required, especially once you’ve completed a residency or have significant work experience. However, if you’re a recent graduate applying for a competitive fellowship or residency program, including academic honors or a high GPA can add value to your application.
How do I list international medical experience?
International medical experience can be valuable in a physician CV example, especially if you’ve worked in underserved areas or on medical missions. When listing these experiences, describe the type of care you provided or the populations you served. Highlight any cultural competencies or challenges you encountered and overcame.
Do I need to include a cover letter with my physician CV?
Yes, you should include a cover letter with your physician CV. The cover letter provides a chance to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position and highlight specific experiences or skills that make you a good fit for the job.
