Working as a Medical Writer

If one were to think about the jobs that people who enjoy writing might pursue, titles such as journalist, author and editor would most typically come to mind. Industries such as news or entertainment usually fall in line with these titles.

Not many people would associate a career in writing as falling under the health care industry, but that is exactly the case with medical writers. Regardless of what these workers are called -- whether it's medical writers, health writers, health editors, medical communicators, or another variation of the title -- they serve as a vital part of the health care industry.

What they do:

Medical writing is a non-clinical profession in the health care industry, as these writers do not interact with patients in need of help. Still, while they may not directly help people get past their health problems, the information they present can be of great aid to those in need.

The core duty of a medical writer is to evaluate and interpret health-related issues, often ones that are complex and difficult to understand, and publish them in a way that is easy to understand. The final product should be very clear to just about anyone; this holds true whether they are being displayed to the general public, or to other highly trained professionals.

While those core duties hold true for most medical writers, the specifics of a medical writer's job may vary greatly, depending on their exact position. Some medical writers conduct their own research, while others simply disseminate the research of others, such as scientists, doctors or other experts. There is still plenty of work to be done by the medical writer in these cases, such as statistical analysis and the design and layout of the final document.

Common publications where a medical writer's work is displayed include professional journals, brochures, magazine or newspaper health columns, product packaging, television and radio broadcasts, textbooks, health care websites, and instructional manuals.

Medical writers work in a variety of different settings, including government health care institutions, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and medical device manufacturers. Medical foundations, universities and medical schools, and managed care organizations are potential settings, as well. Some are able to work remotely in home offices, while others opt to write as freelancers and contract independent work.

What they need:

Most medical writers are required to have a bachelor's degree, which preferably comes in a scientific field, though journalism and English degrees are often adequate. The American Medical Writers Association offers a certificate program, as do the University of Chicago Graham School of General Studies and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

What they earn:

The average salary for a medical writer is $74,483, according to CBsalary.com. The 25^th and 75^th percentiles of salaries fall between $51,224 and $99,904, respectively.

Job outlook:

Medical writers are currently in high demand in the job market. According to the American Medical Writers Association, the medical writing market doubled in size from 2003 to 2008 and continues to rise steadily.