If you are looking for a job in medical writing, then it might be a good idea to consider various aspects of the job such as compensation, benefits, and deadlines. By understanding what you will be doing, you can make the right decision and have a good start in your career. In this article, we will discuss what is a medical writing job like and how you can become an expert medical writer.
Medica Writing: What Is It?
If you are unfamiliar, medical writing is the process of preparing non-fiction content such as medical journal articles or books for medical professionals. This involves going through the material and adjusting it to make it more suitable for medical readership. The purpose of this editing is to ensure that the material is accurate and up-to-date, as well as that it is understandable to medical professionals.
The Main Responsibilities Of A Medical Writer
As a medical writer, your responsibilities will vary from project to project but generally include the following activities:
- Editing the content of various types of documents (letters, lab reports, therapy notes, etc.)
- Updating clinical trials with the latest results
- Creating handouts and other supporting materials for medical professionals
- Monitoring and analyzing clinical trials to ensure they are conducted ethically
- Preparing journal articles for peer review and subsequent publication
- Generating ideas for new publications and marketing materials
- Post-publication follow-ups to ensure accurate information is disseminated
- Soliciting and submitting articles to medical journals
- Managing and editing a personal blog or website
- Responsible for content on social media platforms (such as Twitter or LinkedIn)
Aside from editing documents, you will also need to learn how to write clearly and concisely. Since medical professionals have to read your work and follow your instructions closely, you must ensure that everything is documented precisely. You should also familiarize yourself with various types of medical databases and clinical trial registries to ensure that you are able to find the relevant studies easily.
Monetizing Your Skills In A Medical Writing Job
If you are looking for a job in medical writing and want to make some quick cash, you can try selling your skills to medical companies. Some of the jobs you will be able to find include the following:
- Medical journalist (this is similar to an investigative reporter job, but you will be writing non-fiction pieces for a newspaper or magazine)
- Marketing coordinator (assist the company in creating press releases, designing marketing material, etc.)
- Content strategist (research the topics relevant to the company and create content that will help the company grow)
You can also become a freelance medical writer and start your own business. The great thing about this option is that you will be able to choose the projects you want to work on and set your own hours. You can even set your own price, depending on how much you want to earn. Plus, you can use your skills to help patients directly.
The Different Kinds Of Documents You Will Be Working On
As a medical writer, you will be editing different types of documents for different types of clients. Some examples include:
- Pharmaceutical marketing documents (such as clinical trial protocols and patient information leaflets)
- Therapy guidelines and clinical practice guidelines
- Diagnostic review articles (for radiology professionals)
- Food and drug interaction articles (for pharmacists)
- Handouts for patients (such as directions for using a particular medication or a refresher on nutrition concepts)
- Book manuscripts (for authors and publishers)
- Disease management protocols (for health care organizations)
- Research proposal (for academia)
- Business plan (for entrepreneurs)
Since you will be working with medical professionals in their careers, you need to ensure that your documents are as precise and accurate as possible. It is also essential that you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. Learning how to write well and quickly will also be beneficial skills to have when applying for any position in the field.
How To Get Started In Medical Writing
If you are looking for a job in medical writing, then the first step to take is to enroll in a graduate degree in health communication or medical journalism. This will prepare you for the aforementioned jobs, as well as allow you to get a better understanding of what the role entails. You can take this route both online and off-line, depending on where you are located. You should also look for accredited programs, as this will give you the chance of securing a high-quality education and landing an excellent job in a short amount of time.
After you graduate from a reputable university, you can look for jobs in medical writing or continue your education by taking a post-graduate certificate in medical communications or medical journalism. This will broaden your knowledge and give you more experience, allowing you to more easily land a job in the field.
An alternative route to getting started in medical writing is to look for an M.A. or Ph.D. in health communication. With this type of degree, you will learn how to design research studies, analyze health statistics, and write various types of reports. Some of the required subjects include epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy. If you are applying for a job in medical writing, then this type of degree will undoubtedly be of great benefit to you.
Where Do I Live?
If you are looking for a job in medical writing, then where you live will be a factor in your decision-making. Not only will you need to consider the salary that is on offer, but you will need to determine whether or not the job will be available in your area. This is obviously dependent on where you live, but there are some regions where the field is heavily in demand, meaning you will have plenty of opportunities to progress in your career. Other areas may be a bit more limited, depending on the number of qualified applicants.
What Is The Starting Pay For A Medical Writer?
The starting pay for a medical writer will depend on several factors, including the client you are working for and the type of work you are doing. Some examples include:
- $13.50 per hour for an intern
- $15.00 to $17.00 per hour for a senior medical writer
- $22.50 per hour for a medical journalist
- $37.50 per hour for a senior editor in a medical journal
Of course, the above is only the starting pay and does not include any perks, discounts, or additional income. Depending on your specific situation, you may or may not have the choice to work remotely, from home. If you live in an area where there is a high demand for medical writers, then you may be able to choose which jobs you want to work on, and set your own hours. Make sure you are aware of all the benefits that a medical writer program may have offered you, as well as the pros and cons of each specialization.
Do I Need A Relevant Background In Health?
Anyone can become a medical writer, but not all will have the relevant background needed to succeed. You will need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology or chemistry to enter the workforce. While any relevant undergraduate degree will do, a health-related bachelor’s degree will certainly give you an advantage in the field.
If you are looking for a stable job in a relatively fast-paced industry, then you should consider going for a graduate degree in health communication or medical journalism. If you can get a job in the field without a relevant background in health, then you can learn on the job and progress quickly.
Is There Life After Graduation?
If you are looking for a stable job as a medical writer, then life after graduation is certainly a possibility. There will always be the option for you to continue your education and gain additional certifications and degrees. If you want to progress quickly in your career, then you should consider looking for a job in a region where there is a high demand for medical writers. You should also look into scholarships and grants that are available to assist you in your studies.