Medical Writer Job Description and Top Skills

What is a Medical Writer?

A Medical Writer is a skilled professional responsible for creating a wide range of medical and scientific documents, including clinical research manuscripts, regulatory submissions, medical education materials, and marketing collateral. Medical Writers collaborate with cross-functional teams of scientists, clinicians, and marketers to develop content that effectively communicates complex medical concepts and data in a clear and compelling manner. Their work supports various aspects of the healthcare industry, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare organizations.

Medical Writer Job Description

Are you passionate about translating complex medical and scientific information into clear and concise written content? If so, we’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our team as Medical Writers. As integral members of our healthcare communications team, successful candidates will play a crucial role in creating accurate, informative, and engaging content for a variety of audiences, including healthcare professionals, patients, and regulatory agencies.

As a Medical Writer, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of scientific literature, regulatory documents, and educational resources that advance medical knowledge, inform clinical practice, and improve patient care.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in life sciences, excellent writing skills, and the ability to distill complex information into accessible and engaging content.

What Does a Medical Writer Do?

Content Development:

• Research and synthesize scientific and medical literature, clinical trial data, and regulatory guidelines to develop accurate and evidence-based content for various purposes, including manuscripts, clinical study reports, regulatory submissions, and educational materials.
• Write and edit content in accordance with project specifications, target audience requirements, and publication standards, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to regulatory and ethical guidelines.

Document Preparation and Formatting:

• Prepare and format documents according to industry standards, journal guidelines, and client specifications, including manuscript formatting, reference formatting, and document styling, to facilitate submission and publication.

Review and Revision:

• Review and revise draft documents for content accuracy, clarity, coherence, and consistency, incorporating feedback from subject matter experts, project stakeholders, and regulatory reviewers to ensure document quality and compliance with requirements.

Project Management:

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, coordinating with cross-functional teams, tracking project progress, and communicating effectively with stakeholders.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, publication standards, and ethical guidelines, such as Good Publication Practice (GPP), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines, and relevant industry regulations.

How Much Do Medical Writers Make?

The average medical writer salary in the USA is $100,000 per year or $48.08 per hour. Entry level positions start at $77,284 per year while most experienced workers make up to $150,000 per year.

Skill Requirements

• Medical Writing Skills: Medical Writers must possess strong writing skills and the ability to communicate complex medical and scientific information clearly, accurately, and effectively to diverse audiences, including healthcare professionals, patients, and regulatory agencies.
• Research and Analysis Skills: Medical Writers should have strong research and analysis skills to gather, evaluate, and synthesize scientific literature, clinical trial data, and regulatory guidelines to support content development and decision-making processes.
• Attention to Detail: Medical Writers must demonstrate attention to detail in reviewing and editing documents, verifying data accuracy, ensuring consistency, and adhering to publication standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical guidelines.
• Project Management Skills: Medical Writers should have strong project management skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate with cross-functional teams, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Medical Writers must have knowledge of regulatory requirements, publication standards, and ethical guidelines governing medical writing, such as Good Publication Practice (GPP), International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines, and relevant industry regulations.

Example KPIs for a Medical Writer

• Document Quality and Accuracy: This KPI measures the quality and accuracy of documents written by Medical Writers, including adherence to content specifications, clarity of writing, accuracy of data interpretation, and compliance with regulatory and publication standards.
• Project Timeliness and Efficiency: This KPI evaluates the timeliness and efficiency of Medical Writers in completing projects, meeting deadlines, and managing workload, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality documents and client satisfaction.
• Client Satisfaction and Feedback: This KPI assesses client satisfaction with Medical Writers’ performance, responsiveness to feedback, and overall quality of service, providing insights into areas for improvement and opportunities for client retention and business growth.

How Can Glider AI Help You with Hiring a Medical Writer?

Glider’s recruitment platform is designed to streamline the hiring process for Medical Writers by prioritizing competency over credentials. Utilize Glider AI Skill Intelligence™ to identify top-quality candidates, streamline candidate screening, and ensure a mobile-first, candidate-friendly experience.

Glider AI’s Unique Features

• Evaluate Writing Skills and Medical Knowledge
• Assess Research and Analysis Abilities
• Ensure Attention to Detail and Project Management Skills
• Conversational Chatbot for Talent Screening
• Powerful Candidate Analytics and Insights
• Streamline Hiring with AI and Automation

Take the next step in recruiting Medical Writers with Glider AI!

Schedule a Demo or contact us at info@glider.ai