If you do not have existing medical experience or schooling, taking classes in pre-medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, or even physics can prepare you to enter this expanding field. You can find a myriad of opportunities to take classes at your local college or university or online. A simple search on the Internet will connect you to hundreds of sites that will help guide you on your way to becoming a medical writer.
There are many courses offered that train you to write at the professional-research level, at the consumer-education level, or for newspapers, magazines, and various other types of publications. These courses offer all types of training in various aspects of the medical profession, including basic anatomy and medical terminology, and outline specific writing techniques for medical publications and journals.
Different skill sets are used for different types of medical writing. Many medical writers work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries creating regulatory documents, clinical-study protocols, investigative-drug brochures, and other materials. For these organizations, "the trend is toward hiring scientists who can write," said Mary Ann Foote, Ph.D. and former president of the American Medical Writers Association. Many others write or edit research papers for large hospitals or organizations. In less technical areas, medical writers produce magazine, newspaper, and website articles for general and specialized audiences, handbooks for patients, and marketing and advertising materials.
Medical writers are in the strongest demand at the cash-rich pharmaceutical and biomedical companies. The monetary success of a medical writer usually lies in his or her years of experience in the field and level of writing skill. To quote a job lead on CareerBuilder, "We have several openings for Medical writers and Directors...we are looking for PhDs, PharmDs, and MDs that have experience preparing preclinical and clinical manuscripts for publication...The more you can handle, the more we will give you. The salary is wide open depending on experience."
The current median salary of a medical writer in the U.S. is $51,670, according to survey data compiled by Salary.com and collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries, and geographies. Many, however, can start out making salaries in the mid-60s and make upwards of $120,000, depending on education and experience.
If you decide that medical writing is a feasible career choice for you, it would be a good idea to have a few strong examples of your writing ability so that potential employers can determine the value of your writing. A good place to start might be writing for a local newspaper in the health/medical section or for the local hospital newspaper or newsletter. There may be no monetary gain at first, but it's a great way to get started. Medical writers generally have to be persistent and patient in the beginning.
"Like any job, you have to pay your dues," said Barbara Tone, RN, who lives in Southern California and does freelance writing for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
Anne Federwisch, an occupational therapist from San Jose who now writes for magazines and websites, started out writing a lifestyle column for her community newspaper.
"I didn't get paid, but I got a lot of clips," Federwisch said.
Those clips helped her expand her business to paying clients. Medical writers can also make connections with prospective clients or employers through national writers' organizations. Many of these associations offer members access to job listings. The American Medical Writers Association, the National Association of Science Writers, the National Writers Union, and the Editorial Freelancers Association are but a few of the many places to find job opportunities.
Medical writing can be a great way to enter the medical field. Opportunities are growing for those who want to succeed in this area. With preparation and determination, medical writers can generate high-income salaries or greatly enhance already-established medical careers. If you already have a medical background, or if you're going to acquire one, you may want to consider a career in medical writing.
