Role Description

Scientific > Medical Writer

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
61370.0000 80340.0000 103560.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+4%

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Short Description:

Medical Writers compile, write, and edit medical writing deliverables covering all phases of clinical research for submission to regulatory agencies. Medical Writers help write studies for submissions to the FDA. Their writing is also used in publications or medical journals, or for internal company use.  Medical Writers generally focus on either scientific medical writing, which includes medical studies, drug trials and regulatory documents, or marketing medical writing, which includes news releases and advertising copy for a wider audience. 

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Research and Understand Requirements - Medical Writers work with clinical teams and clients to understand the nature of the scientific work that they will be covering. They assess data or products using their medical expertise, and quickly develop expertise in new areas as needed for their writing. They conduct comprehensive literature searches to enhance their background understanding, and evaluate and analyze the information they will be writing about.
  • Write, Review and Edit Scientific Medical Writing - Medical Writers compile, write, and edit medical writing deliverables covering all phases of clinical research for submission to regulatory agencies. Medical Writers help write studies for submissions to the FDA. Their writing is also used in publications or medical journals, or for internal company use. Some of the things they write include comprehensive clinical study reports, study protocols, annual reports, investigator brochures, risk/benefit analysis and integrated summaries from raw data.
  • Write, Review and Edit Marketing Medical Writing - Medical Writers also write scientific copy for a broader audience, including scientific liaisons, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical representatives. They prepare abstracts, scientific exhibits, posters and verbal presentations. They also develop and write pharmaceutical training materials, eLearning content, video scripts, magazine articles, and presentations to be used by a variety of audiences.
  • Meet Standards and Requirements - A key task of the Medical Writer is to be sure that all deliverables are in accordance with regulations, standards, and guidelines. The regulatory documents that the Medical Writer prepares must meet ICH, GLPs, and GCPs guidelines, a writing style guide, and often a company or client template. The Medical Writer must understand the levels of evidence required to achieve regulatory, marketing and regulatory goals.
     

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Extensive knowledge of English grammar with a familiarity with a standard style guide
  • Ability to communicate scientific or medical information in a clear and concise manner
  • Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and the Internet
  • Familiarity with the principles of clinical research
  • Ability to interpret and present clinical data and other complex information

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Related Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
  • SVP Range: (7.0 to < 8.0)

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