What’s this all about?

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We’re here to help you learn about careers in MedComms and then, if you decide it’s of interest, to help you get your first job! Good luck.

Sign up to our “Newbies” email alert for regular updates for news of careers events, internships, open days and other relevant information.

We’re grateful for contributions from many members of the MedComms Networking community and specifically the following Sponsors: AMICULUM Ltd, Ashfield Healthcare Communications, Envision Pharma Group, Fishawack Group, Helios Medical Communications, Highfield, Lucid Group and Oxford PharmaGenesis.

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Careers guide – medical writing

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careersguidecover_369x523From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications

By Dr Annick Moon, 11th edition published March 2019

This guide focuses on medical writing careers in medical communications, in particular in MedComms agencies. The MedComms industry provides consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies, and the role of the medical writer is to use science and language to deliver these services successfully, while working to the highest ethical standards and adhering to industry regulations and guidelines.

The aim of this guide is to give you the information you need to decide if you are suited to the role of medical writer, and to provide the insider knowledge you need to excel at interview.

This issue includes nine personal profiles written by current medical writing specialists in leading MedComms agencies, describing their personal journeys in to MedComms and the day-to-day work they now do as well as an updated directory of agency contacts.

The 11th edition of this careers guide about medical writing is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in March 2019, and it will now be updated every year. Continue reading →

The Allegro training programme in practice

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In this webinar, we are joined by Katie Johnson, Talent Acquisition Associate at Ashfield Healthcare Communications, Neil Marmont, Programme Director, Allegro and Eleanor Thomas, Medical Writer and graduate from the first full year of the Allegro programme. We hear about the lessons learned from the first year of the Allegro programme for aspiring Medical Writers and about how it will continue to develop and to support the needs of the business – and we answer questions from the audience about working as a medical writer in MedComms. It should be of interest to anyone who is looking for insights in to MedComms as a career and specifically for those of you who are looking for entry-level opportunities in medical writing.

Recorded 14 February 2019 as a FirstMedCommsJob webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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Do you need a PhD to get an entry-level job in #MedComms medical writing in the UK?

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pal_medcommshatThe question: “Do you need a PhD to get an entry-level job in #MedComms medical writing in the UK?”

The answer: “Possibly. But not necessarily.”

So, that’s crystal clear then! Can we do better?

During January 2019 we collected data on entry-level writers employed by UK MedComms agencies in 2018. The short report was posted on Linkedin and has attracted some useful comments from others.

[Read the full article on Linkedin]

So, you want to work in account management?

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The 2nd Edition of the annual careers guide, ‘The business of medical communications: a guide to getting started in account management‘ has just been published and in this webinar the author, Lindsey Heer, offers advice on how to prepare for that first account management job in MedComms, and what to expect. It should be of interest to anyone who is looking for insights in to MedComms as a career and how to maximise their chances of gaining an entry-level job.

Recorded 24 January 2019 as a FirstMedCommsJob webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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I work in MedCommms…

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Whilst preparing the new issue of our latest careers guide, The business of medical communications: a guide to getting started in account management (published January 2019)  we invited people working in account management positions in MedComms to tell us why they are doing so….

“I work in MedComms as a VP of client services leading one of our agencies. This role has given me the opportunity to work closely with an extensive range of gifted people – global healthcare professionals, patient groups, a broad range of clients in different therapy areas, and talented in-house individuals from inside our agency and across our wider business – which makes me feel very privileged. All of us working together at the forefront of medical advances make a real difference to patient lives. Agency life is fun, fast-paced, interesting and dynamic. No day is ever the same, every day brings us new challenges to find solutions for and there is always something exciting just around the corner. I started my career with Ashfield over 13 years ago in the sales side of our business as a trainee and have never looked back. Throughout this time I have been given many opportunities, undertaking a wide variety of commercial roles across the UK and in the USA, which have strengthened and grown my skill set, continually progressing my career, and for which I am extremely grateful.”

Anna Bayley, VP Client Services at Ashfield Healthcare Communications

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Careers guide – account management

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screen shot 2019-01-20 at 16.34.43The business of medical communications: a guide to getting started in account management

By Lindsey Heer, 2nd edition published January 2019

As we explain in this guide, the terminology, job titles and specific roles of account managers or project managers in MedComms agencies can vary, but effective account management is always critical. This new guide helps explain how that happens in practice and provides you with an understanding of both the challenges and the rewards that come from a career in MedComms. We believe reading this guide will give you the edge to getting that first job.

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