How to Be a Medical Writer: 7 Steps to Secure World-class Health Writing Jobs
Introduction
In 2010, I completed my Creative Writing degree and examined our broken economy with apprehension. I wanted to be a writer. However, everyone around me implied that success as a writer required the same lucky break it would take to become a famous actor or musician.
So, instead of pursuing my passion, I reenrolled in another undergraduate program, this time in Biochemistry and Mathematics. With my sights set on medical school, obstetrics, and public health, I spent a whopping ten years in college!
By combining my passion for creative writing and medical science, I learned how to provide medical writing services. Though my medical writing agency, I’ve created an entrepreneurial career that allows me to raise my family while working remotely. As the famous American humorist Will Rogers once said:
“If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing."
In this article, I will guide you through a much more linear path to success than the one I took myself.
Becoming a Successful Medical Writer
In medical writing, you are responsible for producing, publishing, or preparing materials related to medicine and healthcare. You must possess various skills, including creativity, rigorous research capabilities, excellent communication, and a solid scientific background.
If you want to pursue a career as a medical writer, the information in this guide will help you get started. We'll explore the different job environments and roles available to medical writers and what kind of education, certifications, skills, and experience you need to be competitive.
Medical Writing vs. Health and Wellness Writing
Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they can differ in their intent and target audience.
Medical writing usually focuses on scientific, clinical, and business communication within the industry.
On the other hand, health and wellness writing tends to provide readers with actionable, consumer-oriented health advice.
Health Writing: "Dear Patient"
Wellness culture began in the corporate world at the end of the 1970s. Companies started hiring health writers to promote wellness programs. The goal was to keep employees healthier and reduce insurance costs.
Health and wellness writing is usually more patient-focused, emphasizing the importance of self-care and preventative medicine. Health writers may try to provide a basic understanding of important medical information to promote healthier lifestyles or market medical products.
Medical Writing: "Dear Doctor"
Medical writing companies produce materials such as protocols for clinical trials, study reports, research proposals, compound descriptions, and pre-clinical and clinical analyses. These are all examples of scientific writing directed at medical professionals. You'll find these projects in medical education, medical conferences, medical communication, academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, and anywhere else a thorough understanding of complicated ideas needs to be explained.
Remember that plenty of successful writers do a bit of both; the distinction is not set in stone.
1) Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Relevant Field
Medical writing jobs usually require an undergraduate degree. A biology, chemistry, nursing, or life sciences degree is ideal. With a BS in a relevant field, you will gain a thorough understanding of medical terminology, scientific concepts, clinical research methods, and medical communication skills.
A Bachelor's degree also demonstrates to potential employers that you are dedicated to your career and have the discipline to complete a rigorous academic program. Majoring in journalism or English can be a pathway into this field if your understanding of the medical field is already solid. Humanities programs can help you develop writing skills that sometimes get neglected in medical education.
Nonetheless, writing is a career where your work speaks for itself. Many successful medical writers develop their authority by gaining experience in a related field, such as nursing or nutrition.
2) Gain experience in the healthcare field
Gaining experience in the healthcare field can be invaluable when you want to become a medical writer. There are several ways to do this, such as internships, volunteering, or working in a healthcare setting. Let's look at these options in a little more detail.
Internships
Shadowing physicians and interning at medical centers can be worthwhile ways to get hands-on experience and learn about the healthcare industry. Many internships are unpaid, but they can provide valuable knowledge and allow you to network with professionals in the field. Some internships may double as college credit or lead to paid employment.
Volunteering
Many hospitals and clinics have volunteer programs that allow individuals to assist with patient care or administrative tasks. This can be a rewarding way to learn about the healthcare industry and gain medical education while positively impacting your community.
Working
Securing a job in the medical field can also provide valuable experience for aspiring medical writers. Many entry-level positions, such as Certified Nurse's Aid or Phlebotomist, require neither expensive nor demanding certifications.
Working directly with patients can give you a firsthand understanding of the daily challenges and issues healthcare professionals face, as well as the latest scientific advances and technologies.
In addition to gaining practical experience, these simple but essential jobs can help you network and build relationships with healthcare professionals. These connections can help you learn about job openings, get advice from experienced professionals, and develop a network of potential clients.
3) Develop Your Writing Skills
To be an effective medical or health and wellness writer, you need to be able to write clearly and concisely while also adapting your voice to different audiences. Aspiring medical writers must master technical writing, creative writing, copywriting, and journalism. Effective medical writers are also competent medical editors, making editing another skill you want to have in your toolbox.
Technical Writing
Technical medical writing involves conveying complex medical information clearly and easily. This could include writing patient education materials, product manuals, scientific documents, medical journals, or whitepapers--detailed reports or guides explaining a complex issue and presenting a specific solution.
Copywriting
Copywriting involves composing consumer-facing text—"copy"—for businesses. It requires a deep understanding of the target audience, the desired message, and the most effective way to communicate it. It involves researching the industry, staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies, and using data to develop strategies and create compelling content.
Copy can include advertising medical devices to physicians, writing marketing campaigns for pharmaceutical companies, developing original content for social media, and creating educational blogs, websites, pamphlets, and emails for health and wellness consumers.
Creative Writing
Creative writing in the form of storytelling and clever ads is also a vital skill for most medical writers. Storytelling can help medical writers explain complex health topics in a more engaging way. Ads can be used to draw attention to a product or service and serve to create awareness of its potential benefits. Creative writing can also help demonstrate a product's effectiveness by providing tangible examples of how it can be used.
Journalism
Reporting skills will also help you become an effective medical writer. This includes researching and gathering information, conducting interviews, and writing news stories or featured articles on healthcare topics.
Becoming a medical writer requires excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. With reporting skills, you can develop the ability to organize and present information in an easy-to-understand manner. Additionally, researching and interviewing healthcare professionals can help a medical writer gain insights into the industry and find exciting story angles.
Editing
If you wish to improve your communication skills as a medical communicator, you may take a writing class, join a writing group, or seek medical writers and editors as mentors. Practice writing in different styles, including academic, technical, and creative writing. You can also learn how to structure your writing, create engaging content, and use language effectively.
4) Build a Portfolio of Writing Samples
As a medical writer, it's critical to have a portfolio of writing samples demonstrating your skills and abilities. A portfolio can include various written materials, such as medical science articles, health and wellness blog posts, and samples of successful print and digital materials.
Here are some tips for building a solid portfolio:
Choose your best work. Select writing samples demonstrating various skills and abilities and showcasing your unique strengths and experiences. Make sure you're using appropriate punctuation marks and that your facts are backed up by solid sources.
Vary the content. Include a range of writing styles and subjects to showcase your versatility of voice and the range of your subject knowledge.
Tailor your portfolio to the job. When applying for a specific job, select writing samples relevant to the position.
Use a clear and organized layout. Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and showcase your writing professionally. This doesn't have to be complicated. Simply sharing a digital file full of Google docs can do the trick.
You want to ensure your writing portfolio reflects your qualifications for the job in the most effective possible way. Additionally, presenting your work in an organized and professional manner shows that you have taken the time and effort to create a tailored portfolio.
5. Get Certified with the American Medical Writers Association
Click here to be redirected to AMWA.org
You can demonstrate your expertise and credibility as a competent medical writer by earning a certification through one of the professional medical writing organizations. Through its Certified Medical Writer (CMW) program, the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) certifies medical writers in partnership with the Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC).
As a voluntary certification, the CMW designation can be a powerful way to distinguish yourself in the field, demonstrate your commitment to professional development, and strengthen your professional network.
To qualify for the CMW certification, you must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least three years of professional experience in medical writing. You must also pass a written exam covering medical terminology, ethics, and writing style.
To maintain your CMW certification, you have to participate in ongoing professional development and attend continuing education classes. You can find courses through professional associations, board review programs, and universities.
6) Network With Other Medical Writers
A vital part of any career is networking and establishing professional relationships. This reality is no different if you want to become a medical writer. You can learn about job openings, get advice from experienced professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in medical writing by networking with other healthcare professionals.
There are several ways to network as a medical writer:
Attend conferences and workshops
In addition to meeting other medical writers, these events offer an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and best practices in medical communication. In addition, many conferences and workshops provide networking opportunities or mentorship programs that are valuable resources for building professional connections.
Join professional organizations
In addition to providing resources and support to members, organizations such as the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) provide opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field. Through AMWA, members can access networking events, job fairs, and other professional gatherings. Members can also exchange advice, resources, and ideas with others in the field, which helps them stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.
Seek mentorship opportunities
Working with a mentor to gain insights and guidance from experienced professionals can be beneficial. Find mentorship opportunities through professional organizations, connect with your network of contacts, or find health writers whose work you admire. You can build valuable knowledge and career support by networking and establishing professional relationships.
7) Consider Picking a Niche
In medical writing, there are a variety of specialties. Some writers specialize in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices. Others may specialize in a particular type of writing, such as clinical trial reporting, public health writing, scientific writing, regulatory writing, white papers, or patient education materials. Some may even end up as medical journal editors or website copyeditors. And you can find these jobs in a variety of settings.
Academia
Academic medical writing jobs may involve writing research papers, grant proposals, textbooks, or teaching materials. You may work with other scientific writers to contribute to academic journals, ghostwrite scientific publications, and disseminate medical research or clinical study reports. These jobs are often located at universities or research organizations and may require a master's degree or other academic qualifications.
Government
Medical writing jobs in government may involve writing policy documents, reports, or other materials related to healthcare. You can consider becoming a regulatory medical writer for government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). You may also consider becoming a public-facing health writer for state health departments and other public health entities.
Industry
Many industrial writing jobs available today involve writing marketing materials, product manuals, whitepapers, and patient education materials. Pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and other healthcare companies are the most likely places for you to find these jobs.
Consulting
Consulting firms provide writing services for healthcare professionals, groups, clinics, and hospitals. Consultants generally work as contractors or for a consulting firm. If you're competent in business planning and marketing strategy, this can be a particularly lucrative niche.
When choosing a job setting, consider your personal preferences, career goals, and the type of work you enjoy. You may also want to consider location, salary, benefits, and flexibility factors.
The advantage of specialization is that you will gain experience and distinguish yourself as an expert. Becoming an expert in a particular niche can provide employers and clients with valuable insight and skills. You will also have the opportunity to concentrate on the topics that matter to you most.
Summary
Medical writing is a rewarding and in-demand career that involves creating written materials related to healthcare. The need to accurately explain scientific findings, products, devices, and services increases as medicine evolves. From writing journal articles to developing patient education and marketing materials, medical writers play a vital role in communicating relevant information to various audiences.
You'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in a relevant field to join the medical writing profession. You'll also need to gain experience in the healthcare field, develop your writing skills, build a portfolio of writing samples, and consider specializing in a particular area. Earning a certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and networking with others in the field can also be valuable for building your career.
The journey from novice medical writer to a professional is like climbing a mountain. You'll need determination, perseverance, and dedication to succeed, but the view from the peak will be worth it. With the proper education, thorough knowledge of medical concepts, practical experience, research skills, and professional connections, becoming a medical writer can help you build the career of your dreams.
FAQ
Q: What degree should I earn to become a medical writer?
A bachelor's degree is often the minimum educational requirement to break into a career in medical writing. Several majors work, such as life sciences, nursing, or health communications. A degree in English or journalism can also help develop writing skills. You may find a specific job posting that requires graduate school.
Q: Do Medical Writers Need Medical Degrees?
At a minimum, you should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field. Currently, there are no universal programs specifically designed for medical writers. People entering the job market have varied backgrounds and academic qualifications.
Q: Is experience in the medical industry necessary for a career in medical writing?
Gaining experience in the healthcare field can be invaluable for a medical writer. There are several ways to do this, such as internships, volunteering, or working in a clinical setting. These strategies can help you gain industry experience vital to the medical writing profession.
Q: Is certification necessary for a career in medical writing?
Certification is not a requirement for a career in medical writing, but it can be a valuable way to demonstrate expertise and credibility in the field. The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) offers certification for medical writers through its Certified Medical Writer (CMW) program.
Q: Are there different areas of specialization within medical writing?
Yes, there are several different niches within medical writing. Some examples include technical communication, regulatory writing, medical education, health and wellness copywriting, and patient education materials in the form of print or digital documents.
You can find these jobs in academia, government, business, and the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Specializing in a particular area can be a valuable way to set yourself apart in the job market and focus on topics of particular interest to you. You can also consider joining a medical writing agency such as Syneos health communications.
Q: Can you work from home as a medical writer?
Yes, many medical writers work from home! Some medical writing positions are freelance or contract-based and can be done remotely, while others are in-house or permanent positions that may have office-based work environments.
