A medical writer is a professional who uses their scientific background and writing skills to develop medical and scientific documents for various purposes. Medical writers work on a wide variety of projects, including research articles, medical journal manuscripts, regulatory documents, patient education materials, continuing medical education (CME) content, and more. Becoming a medical writer requires scientific expertise, writing skills, familiarity with medical communications, and the ability to translate complex information into accessible language for different audiences. If you have an interest in healthcare and science combined with strong writing abilities, a career as a medical writer may be rewarding for you. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to become a medical writer.
What is a Medical Writer?
A medical writer is a scientific communicator who develops and creates medical or scientific documents and content for different purposes. Medical writers have a scientific background and use their writing skills to make complex clinical and scientific information more accessible to various audiences.
Medical writers work on many different types of projects and publications. Some common examples of medical writing include:
- Research articles and manuscripts for medical journals
- Clinical study protocols and reports
- Regulatory documents submitted to health authorities like the FDA
- Patient education brochures, websites, and materials
- Continuing medical education (CME) programs and content
- Medical marketing materials for pharmaceutical companies
- Consensus reports and clinical practice guidelines
- Grant proposals and scientific reports
- Press releases and information for the general public
The content medical writers develop helps communicate medical and clinical information between healthcare professionals, researchers, regulators, patients, and the public. High-quality medical writing is essential for sharing important health information accurately and clearly.
Medical Writer Job Duties and Responsibilities
Medical writers have a diverse range of responsibilities, which can vary depending on their exact role and industry. But some typical duties and tasks of a medical writer may include:
- Reviewing and analyzing scientific and clinical data from research studies
- Conducting thorough literature reviews of medical and healthcare topics
- Writing and editing medical manuscripts for publication in journals
- Formatting manuscripts and styling them for journal submission
- Developing clinical study protocols and clinical study reports
- Compiling data and writing regulatory documents for health authorities
- Writing and reviewing patient education and marketing materials to ensure accuracy and clarity
- Creating accessible summaries of medical and scientific information for the general public
- Ensuring documents follow proper guidelines and journal/regulatory formats
- Working collaboratively as part of a publication team or with scientists and researchers
- Attending and summarizing medical conferences and meetings
- Providing writing support for the development of CME/CE activities and content
The primary responsibilities of medical writers focus on transforming medical and scientific information into clear, accurate, and readable content for journals, pharmaceutical companies, health organizations, marketing groups, and more. Medical writers also ensure documents follow proper formatting guidelines and convey the intended message to readers. Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills are absolutely essential for success.
Key Skills and Qualifications for Medical Writers
What does it take to become an effective medical writer? While specific requirements can vary by job, certain core skills and qualifications are very helpful:
Scientific Expertise
Most medical writer positions require a solid educational background in science and medicine. This is necessary for analyzing technical data and understanding clinical research to describe it accurately. Common educational backgrounds seen in medical writers include:
- Degrees in life sciences like biology or chemistry
- Medical degrees like MD or DO
- Degrees in allied health fields like nursing or pharmacy
- Doctorate degrees in sciences like PhD in biology or immunology
Healthcare Knowledge
Having broad knowledge of medicine, medical concepts, and the healthcare field is very valuable in medical writing. This helps writers develop content and materials that fit the topic area and intended audience. Many medical writers specialize in a certain niche like oncology, cardiology, pediatrics, or geriatrics.
Excellent Writing Skills
Strong writing skills are one of the most important qualifications for medical writers. They need to take complex technical information and make it understandable for various readers, whether they are healthcare professionals, patients, regulators, or the general public. Being able to adapt writing styles for different documents and audiences is critical.
Attention to Detail
Meticulous attention to detail is crucial. Medical writers need to pay careful attention when reviewing data, protocols, and manuscripts to ensure complete accuracy. Details like proper drug names, statistics, doses, and citations need to be flawless.
Research Capability
The ability to thoroughly research medical topics and synthesize information from various sources is very helpful. Medical writers need to conduct literature reviews, gather data, and integrate information to create comprehensive documents.
Flexibility and Versatility
Medical writers take on diverse projects for different clients and purposes. Flexibility to adapt your writing style and approach is important to meet the unique needs of each assignment. Being open to continually learning new medical topics is also helpful.
Project Management Skills
Many medical writers manage and coordinate projects, which requires organizational and project management skills. Meeting tight timelines and budgets is common. The ability to oversee and deliver projects on schedule and within budget constraints is valuable.
Teamwork and Communication Skills
Collaborating as part of a publication team is common in medical writing. Strong teamwork and communication skills to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, editors, researchers, and cross-functional teams is helpful. Medical writers serve as a bridge between parties.
How to Become a Medical Writer – Education and Experience for Medical Writing Jobs
How can you gain the necessary knowledge, training, and experience to work as a medical writer? Here are some common paths to pursuing this career:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Science
Most jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, or nursing. Coursework in the sciences teaches foundational concepts to build on. Technical writing or communications classes can also be helpful. Gaining research experience through internships or independent studies is recommended.
Obtain Advanced Degrees in Medical and Scientific Fields
Many medical writers have advanced degrees such as MD, DO, PhD, PharmD, MSN, or other master’s and doctorates in scientific fields. Their strong educational background in sciences, research, and medicine equips them with deep technical expertise. Coursework in writing is an asset.
Get Certified in Medical Writing
Several professional certification options are available through organizations like the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). Certification programs require passing exams and demonstrating expertise. Certification can enhance credibility.
Gain Medical Writing Experience
Look for opportunities to gain hands-on medical writing experience through internships, fellowships, writing for campus publications, or other roles. Many medical writers start as research assistants or interns for medical communications companies. Informational interviews and networking with professional medical writers can provide guidance.
Consider a Graduate Program or Certificate in Medical Writing
Formal certificate and master’s programs focused specifically on medical writing are now available. These provide extensive education in medical writing theories and techniques, scientific communication, and publication practices. They integrate coursework and practical experience.
Finding Medical Writing Jobs
The medical communications and publishing industries provide most employment opportunities for professional medical writers. Here are some common types of employers hiring medical writers:
- Pharmaceutical companies: Develop marketing materials, clinical reports, manuscripts, etc.
- Contract research organizations (CROs): Produce protocols, reports, regulatory documents, etc. for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies outsourcing medical writing.
- Medical communications agencies: Specialize in developing medical publications, CME/CE activities, marketing materials, and more for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.
- Medical publishers and journals: Produce medical journals, books, guidelines, and educational resources. Medical writers assist with manuscript submissions.
- Universities and research institutions: Prepare grant proposals, protocols, reports, publications for academic settings.
- Freelance: Medical writers may work independently, contracting directly with companies or through medical writing agencies.
The best opportunities may arise from directly contacting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical communications companies. Networking with medical writers is another effective strategy. Search job sites, industry associations, and medical publishers for open positions. Attend industry meetings and conferences. Social media groups also share job openings.
Medical Writing Salaries and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for writers and authors, including technical writers, is $77,200 per year. However, medical writers tend to earn higher salaries than other writers given their specialized scientific expertise and the importance of their work.
Average salaries can vary based on:
- Education, credentials, and years of experience
- Type of employer (academic vs. pharmaceutical company)
- Geographic location
- Full-time staff position vs. freelance/contractor role
Reports show that medical writers in the U.S can earn $80,000–$120,000 per year on average. Senior or management roles earn $120,000–$180,000 on average. The job outlook for medical writers appears strong due to steady demand for scientific documentation and medical publications.
Career Advancement Opportunities
With experience, medical writers may advance to roles managing teams, departments, or entire publication groups within medical communications companies. They can also progress to senior writer positions, taking on more complex projects. Overall, seasoned medical writers have many opportunities to advance their careers through roles managing people and projects, specializing in niche areas, taking on leadership positions, or leveraging their expertise in related roles in medical education, regulatory affairs, and marketing. Their valued skills are applicable across healthcare and life sciences.
Professional Medical Writing Organizations
There are several professional associations for medical writers that provide excellent networking, training, certification, job boards, and resources:
- American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
- European Medical Writers Association (EMWA)
- International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP)
- American Medical Association – Medical Writing Section
- Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS)
- American Medical Communicators Association (AMCA)
These organizations offer annual conferences, webinars, workshops, freelance directories, newsletters, and certification programs that are extremely valuable for networking, learning best practices, and advancing your medical writing career.
Key Tips for Aspiring Medical Writers
If you’re interested in becoming a medical writer, here are some top tips to guide you:
- Obtain a strong educational foundation in the sciences to build technical expertise
- Develop excellent writing skills and familiarity with medical topics
- Seek opportunities for hands-on writing experience through internships or volunteering
- Build a portfolio of writing samples from school, jobs, or freelance work
- Research medical writing roles and talk to professionals in the field
- Consider a formal certificate or graduate program in medical writing
- Join professional associations to access resources and network
- Keep up-to-date on medical news and trends in the industry
- Showcase your passion for science, medicine, and communication
- Be prepared to continually expand your medical knowledge base
Conclusion
Becoming a professional medical writer requires scientific expertise combined with exceptional writing and communication skills. If you are interested in translating complex clinical and scientific information into accessible materials for various audiences, medical writing can be a rewarding career path. Many options exist to gain the necessary education, experience, and qualifications to succeed as a medical writer. With diligent preparation and dedication to continually expanding your skills, you can develop a fulfilling role in this essential field that improves medical communication.
