Medical writer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical writer in details. A complete job description concludes Medical writer key duties/responsibilities, Medical writer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Medical writer duties:

1.      Write, edit and revise trade articles featuring Topcon’s products and services targeting optometrists and ophthalmologists, as well as white papers for the sales force.

2.      Development of article ideas and calendar with the Topcon Marketing team

3.      Interviewing of physicians and ability to transcribe medical content into clear, concise articles

4.      Writing, editing and revision of additional marketing copy including print ads, product descriptions and website content

5.      Researches and selects the relevant scientific and medical information to be included in educational materials targeted towards physician and patient audiences.

6.      Writes and edits educational materials (test highlights, summaries and guides, patient brochures, monographs, abstracts, journal articles, presentations, etc.) ranging from 1 to 300 pages in length.

7.      Obtains appropriate approvals.

8.      Oversees formatting and production of written materials.

9.      Performs other functions of the medical information department as needed.

II. List of Medical writer qualifications

1.      Bachelor's degree in a life-science related discipline, plus 2-5 years' experience as a medical writer for pharmaceutical or healthcare-related industry required

2.      Writing experience within a medical communications agency/PR/Ad Agency - essential

3.      Ability to produce written materials of high scientific quality that meet client strategic marketing objectives

4.      Expert working knowledge of medical communications business objectives, services and operating procedures

5.      In-depth experience of a wide range of medical communications materials for a range of audiences, from amongst publication planning, symposium and exhibition materials, advisory boards, educational and training aids, promotional materials, clinical trial recruitment and retention items.

6.      Good reviewing and mentoring skills

7.      Excellent attention to detail

8.      Creativity and ability to understand pharma marketing and strategy

9.      Excellent project/time management and organisational skills

10.  Ability to work efficiently and effectively to tight deadlines

11.  Good interpersonal and teamwork skills

12.  Enthusiasm and drive

13.  Flexible attitude - managing ever-changing priorities

14.  Budgetary awareness

15.  Demonstrate familiarity with industry code of practice guidelines including ABPI/EFPIA and GPP/ICMJE

16.  Presentation skills

17.  IT skills - Microsoft Office, Reference Manager

18.  Must live locally and be office-based; occasional travel required

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.