Every medical communicator finds their own path to success.
Some discover their passion for medical communication through skills and education programs: formal degrees, certificates, certification, or a combination of the above. Others build on a foundation of a medical degree or research background and pivot into medical writing. Still others begin as journalists writing about health and medicine and realize they have what it takes to become a professional medical writer.
What are some of the avenues that exist to advance in this rewarding career?
Are you looking for a career pivot from the world of research to medical writing?
Many of the skills you already possess as a nonclinical or biomedical researcher are essential to advance in the growing field of medical communication.
What does it take to make the move into this ever-changing and rewarding career?
Medical writers are key personnel in the health care and biomedical research fields. They communicate scientific research findings and information about diseases and treatments to a variety of audiences: health care professionals, regulatory authorities, sales representatives, patients, caregivers, and more.
Medical writers make scientific information accessible for readers and empower people to make informed decisions about their health.
Medical communicators are key collaborators in a scientific ecosystem where critical research findings and discoveries move from laboratories to the wider world, improving the health and lives of patients and communities.
As the fields of medicine and health care advance, the demand for medical writers increases.
Writers and editors with a passion for medicine and science are exploring opportunities in the growing field of medical writing.
The explosive growth of health care technology, pharmaceuticals, and other related areas creates multiple possible entry points for writers and editors who possess the skills and qualifications to enter and advance in the field.
Medical writers can find vast amounts of information about prescription drugs and biologics from a variety of resources, such as scientific publications, electronic databases, and free online content from sites such as drugs.com.
A challenge for medical writing professionals is sorting through these resources to find information that is accurate and acceptable to use as a reference source when writing content that will ultimately go through medical‑legal review.
Both terms describe someone who communicates medical and health information to specific audiences.
A medical technical writer is another term used to describe a medical writer. From our perspective, the terms are interchangeable. Medical writing is technical writing for medical and health concepts.
If you're considering a career as a medical writer, there are a few ways to enter this challenging, lucrative field. If you're an experienced communication or medical professional, you're off to a good start. Still, you'll want to spend time exploring professional resources, brushing up on medical terminology, and honing the specific skills necessary for your chosen area of focus.
Note: The tips here are meant to provide an overview of best practices regarding accounting needs for freelancers. For advice specific to your situation, seek counsel from authorized financial experts.
For freelance medical writers and editors, day‑to‑day responsibilities include managing a business in addition to producing quality content. But collecting receipts, preparing for quarterly taxes, and staying on top of business accounting can be a major source of stress.
If you are a freelance medical writer overwhelmed by accounting, these tips are for you.
For freelance medical writers and editors, social media can help build authority, engage with colleagues, connect with potential clients, and grow their freelance businesses. But posting and sharing inconsistently, or using the wrong platforms, can waste time and energy. These social media marketing tips can help.
Freelance medical writing can be a lucrative, rewarding, and flexible career. Yet even if you have been writing professionally for years, you may have questions when it comes to how to create a solid client base and find steady work. The following tips can help you start your own freelance medical writing business.
I don’t make my living as a writer; let’s get that out of the way right now. However, I recruit writers and managers/directors of groups of medical writers, and I’ve been a mentor to many people. I’ve seen people succeed and fail, overcome obstacles and get back up again. A mentor or two (or more) can catapult an average career into a stellar career if you align yourself as early as possible with people who will be in your corner as you navigate your future.