Writing about all things science and health care, making technical information engaging, meeting the demands of the chaotic advertising world – just another day in the life of a medical writer.
What Does a Medical Writer Do?
The perfect hybrid of scientific knowledge and creativity, medical writers have the education and experience to write accurately about a medical or healthcare specialty.
The Scientific Side of Medical Writing
Medical copywriting requires an in-depth knowledge of scientific concepts and the creative flair to articulate this information in clear, approachable language. Especially when targeting consumers, medical writers have to persuade potential buyers with concepts and messages they can understand. When working with business-to-business clients, medical writers must be fluent in the same technical terms and concepts as the audience. That way, the finished product engages highly educated medical professionals.
The Creative Side of Medical Writing
While medical writers are well versed in the scientific, they are also well suited for the creative environment of an advertising agency. By using their innovative minds, these specialized writers can present information in exciting and interesting ways that will attract the attention of those who aren’t close to the medical field.
Medical copywriting involves visual, written, radio and digital advertisements for drugs and health care providers, typically targeted at consumers. At the other end of the spectrum, medical writers produce copy for advertisements targeted at doctors and healthcare professionals. These ads typically educate the audience on new medical drugs, devices or techniques to be distributed by physicians and providers.
Medical writers understand that their words won’t be as effective without the visual work of designers, so they know what it takes to maintain an easy-going, proactive relationship with graphic designers with whom they collaborate.
What Skills Should a Medical Writer Have?
Essentials
A bachelor’s degree in science is highly valuable in the field of medical writing. Depending on the focus of the agency or clients, employers may look specifically for life sciences or biomedical degrees. Many companies consider graduate work in science journalism a major bonus.
Soft Skills
Quick and innovative thinking: An agile mind allows these specialized copywriters to present high-level medical information in new, interesting ways.
Passion for learning: The medical and advertising fields are constantly changing, making it critical for copywriters to keep enhancing their expertise.
Open to feedback: Working with health care professionals can be challenging because they are so far removed from the creative world. The most successful medical writers can handle criticism, scrap ideas and quickly generate new ones.
Interview Questions for Medical Writer Jobs
- Can you describe your writing process?
- What do you do to learn about a project before you start writing?
- How do you write about a dry or technical subject without relying on buzzwords?
- How do you incorporate feedback and edits into your work?
- If you were asked to pitch topics for our blog, what would a few of them be?
- How do you decide which tone is appropriate for each piece?
Profiles Medical Copywriting Recruitment
If you’re looking to add the craft and expertise of a specialized medical writer to your team, or you’re searching for positions to fill, Profiles content recruiters can help connect companies with top medical writing talent.
