Adrian Brown, a Training Consultant in Healthcare Communications, provides an overview of the role of the MedComms agency in supporting the strategic communications planning process in the pharmaceutical industry.
Recorded 5 April 2017 at a MedComms Networking event in Oxford. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
When you find a recruiter you gel with it can be the beginning of a life-long relationship, a trusted partner you can turn to for professional advice at any stage of your career. It’s worth remembering that a lot of jobs don’t get advertised and a professional, specialist recruiter can give you inside information on the med comms market that is hard to find anywhere else. Your recruiter may hold the ticket to your dream job, so here are some tips on getting the most out of that relationship.
Here are some quotes that were published in the most recent (March 2017) issue of our annual careers guide, from individuals who are currently happily working in MedComms.
“I work in MedComms because after graduating I knew I wanted to stay close to the scientific field, but get as far away from the lab as possible! Medical writing was my solution. It has allowed me to further expand my scientific knowledge and keep up to date with new and exciting treatments, all while communicating them in a unique and creative way.”
Maha Ayub, Junior Medical Writer at Havas Lynx
“I work in MedComms because after finishing my PhD I realised that my future in science lays outside the lab. Working as a medical writer has allowed me to move away from the bench but, at the same time, I can be at the forefront of medical science and enjoy a great variety of projects across different therapy areas. I’ve read somewhere that “Medical writing is both a science and an art as it requires an understanding in medical science and an aptitude for writing”. I couldn’t agree more and I feel so fortunate to live it every day.”
Georgia Bakirtzi, Medical Writer at Fishawack Communications
Your CV is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It is a sales tool to get you an interview, so it is important to get it right. The right choice of words can genuinely make a difference as to whether you get that dream job or not. Stick to our tips below to ensure you show any potential employer just why they should hire you!
Nina Bull describes her experience, six months after starting work as an Account Executive at Porterhouse Medical.
During my final year of studying biochemistry at the University of Bath, I started applying for graduate jobs but found it difficult to find one I liked the sound of. Having realised that I didn’t enjoy lab work, in my third year I had undertaken an office-based placement doing clinical study management at a pharmaceutical company. I felt that I thrived in the office environment, but found the role quite slow-paced. However, I wasn’t aware of similar jobs in which I could use the knowledge and skills I’d gained from my science degree.
On a trip home for Christmas, I spoke to a friend who had studied biology at university and was now working for a medical communications agency, which prompted me to look into this industry. From what I could see, it seemed like exactly what I was searching for.
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 six 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 and an updated Directory of agency contacts.
The careers guide is freely available here and published by NetworkPharma Ltd. We update the guide every year and the latest edition was published in March 2017.
Elliott Gray, Intern at Porterhouse Medical reflects on his recent work experience.
I’m now five months into my one-year internship at Porterhouse Medical, and I couldn’t be enjoying it more.
Although I’ve always enjoyed science, I knew that a lab-based placement year wouldn’t be for me. However, I recognised that taking a year out from my studies would still be an opportunity to try something new. Outside of academic study I’m very sociable and enjoy engaging with other people, and so a role in medical communications seemed like a natural fit for me.
