Become A Director, Medical Writing

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Working As A Director, Medical Writing

Interacting With Computers
Getting Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Mostly Sitting
Repetitive
Stressful
$70,240
Average Salary

What Does A Director, Medical Writing Do

Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels.

Duties

Technical writers typically do the following:

Determine the needs of users of technical documentation
Study product samples and talk with product designers and developers
Work with technical staff to make products easier to use and thus require fewer instructions
Organize and write supporting content for products
Use photographs, drawings, diagrams, animation, and charts that increase users’ understanding
Select appropriate medium for message or audience, such as manuals or online videos
Standardize content across platforms and media
Gather user feedback to update and improve content
Revise content as new issues arise

Technical writers create paper-based and digital operating instructions, how-to manuals, assembly instructions, and “frequently asked questions” pages to help technical support staff, consumers, and other users within a company or an industry. After a product is released, technical writers also may work with product liability specialists and customer-service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes.

Technical writers often work with computer hardware engineers, scientists, computer support specialists, and software developers to manage the flow of information among project workgroups during development and testing. Therefore, technical writers must be able to understand complex information and communicate the information to people with diverse professional backgrounds.

Applying their knowledge of the user of the product, technical writers may serve as part of a team conducting usability studies to help improve the design of a product that is in the prototype stage. Technical writers may conduct research on their topics through personal observation, library and Internet research, and discussions with technical specialists.

Technical writers are also responsible for managing the consistency of technical content and its use across business departments including product development, manufacturing, marketing, and customer relations.

Some technical writers help write grant proposals for research scientists and institutions.

Increasingly, technical information is being delivered online and through social media. Technical writers are using the interactive technologies of the Web and social media to blend text, graphics, multidimensional images, sound, and video.

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How To Become A Director, Medical Writing

A college degree is usually required for a position as a technical writer. In addition, experience with a technical subject, such as computer science, Web design, or engineering, is important.

Education

Employers generally prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, or communications. Many technical writing jobs require both a degree and knowledge in a specialized field, such as engineering, computer science, or medicine. Web design experience also is helpful because of the growing use of online technical documentation.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Some technical writers begin their careers as specialists or research assistants in a technical field. They eventually develop technical communication skills and assume primary responsibilities for technical writing. In small firms, beginning technical writers may work on projects right away; in larger companies with more standard procedures, beginners may observe experienced technical writers and interact with specialists before being assigned projects.

Training

Many technical writers need short-term on-the-job training to adapt to a different style of writing.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some associations, including the Society for Technical Communication, offer certification for technical writers. In addition, the American Medical Writers Association offers extensive continuing education programs and certificates in medical writing. These certificates are available to professionals in the medical and allied scientific communication fields.

Although not mandatory, certification can demonstrate competence and professionalism, making candidates more attractive to employers. It can also increase a technical writer’s opportunities for advancement.

Advancement

Prospects for advancement generally include working on more complex projects and leading or training junior staff. Some technical writers become self-employed and produce work on a freelance basis.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Technical writers must be able to take complex, technical information and translate it for colleagues and consumers who have nontechnical backgrounds.

Detail oriented. Technical writers create detailed instructions for others to follow. As a result, they must be detailed and precise at every step so that the instructions can be useful.

Imagination. Technical writers must be able to think about a procedure or product in the way a person without technical experience would think about it.

Teamwork. Technical writers must be able to work well with others. They are almost always part of a team: with other writers; with designers, editors, and illustrators; and with the technical people whose information they are explaining.

Technical skills. Technical writers must be able to understand highly complex information. Many technical writers need a background in engineering or computer science in order to do this.

Writing skills. Technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly.

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Director, Medical Writing Jobs

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Director, Medical Writing Typical Career Paths

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Average Length of Employment
Medical Director 5.2 years
Chief Medical Officer 3.7 years
Senior Medical Writer 3.2 years
Manager, Medical Writing 3.0 years
Director, Medical Writing 3.0 years
Medical Director, Occupational Health 2.6 years
Associate Medical Director 2.5 years
Top Employers Before
Medical Writer 17.5%
Clinical Research Associate 7.2%
Clinical Consultant 6.2%
Senior Medical Writer 6.2%
Manager, Medical Writing 6.2%
Associate Medical Director 5.2%
Partner 4.1%
Scientist 4.1%
Team Leader 4.1%
Senior Scientist 4.1%
Associate Manager 4.1%
Scientific Director 4.1%
Senior Clinical Research Associate 4.1%
Medical Editor 4.1%
Research Scientist 3.1%
Registered Nurse 3.1%
Technical Writer 3.1%
Project Leader 3.1%
Managing Editor 3.1%
Business Development Director 3.1%
Top Employers After
Medical Writer 20.0%
Senior Director 12.5%
Director 10.0%
President 7.5%
Clinical Consultant 5.0%
Senior Associate 5.0%
Editorial Director 5.0%
Senior Medical Writer 5.0%
Regulatory Affairs Manager 2.5%
Postdoctoral Research Scientist 2.5%
Executive Director 2.5%
Lecturer 2.5%
Senior Scientist 2.5%
Director Of Business Operations 2.5%
Doctor 2.5%
Freelance Medical Writer 2.5%
Group Leader 2.5%
Manager, Medical Writing 2.5%
Business Director 2.5%
Associate Medical Director 2.5%

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Director, Medical Writing Demographics


Gender
Female 68.0%
Male 32.0%
Ethnicity
White 85.6%
Hispanic or Latino 7.2%
Asian 5.7%
Unknown 1.1%
Black or African American 0.4%
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Languages Spoken
French 100.0%

Director, Medical Writing Education


Schools
Northeastern University 9.5%
San Francisco State University 4.8%
Wake Forest University 4.8%
Queens University of Charlotte 4.8%
New York University 4.8%
Colorado State University 4.8%
The Academy 4.8%
University of Rochester 4.8%
Cornell University 4.8%
Albright College 4.8%
Dale Carnegie Maine 4.8%
University of the Pacific 4.8%
Bucknell University 4.8%
Fairleigh Dickinson University 4.8%
Shenandoah University 4.8%
Wayland Baptist University 4.8%
University of Nebraska Medical Center 4.8%
University of Southern California 4.8%
Clark University 4.8%
Columbia University 4.8%
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Majors
Biology 12.0%
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology 12.0%
Pharmacology 8.0%
Public Health 8.0%
Counseling Psychology 8.0%
Pharmacy 8.0%
Microbiology 8.0%
Writing 4.0%
Biostatistics 4.0%
Public Relations 4.0%
Library Science 4.0%
General Sales 4.0%
Human Biology 4.0%
Classical And Ancient Studies 4.0%
Computer Science 4.0%
Business 4.0%
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Degrees
Masters 36.0%
Doctorate 32.0%
Bachelors 16.0%
Other 12.0%
Certificate 4.0%
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Top Skills for A Director, Medical Writing

Top Director, Medical Writing Skills

Regulatory Submissions
Clinical Study Reports
Medical Writer Consultants

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Participated in template development for protocols, clinical study reports, and assisted in development of company style guide.
Directed contract writers and medical writing staff to ensure on-time and on-budget project completion.
Provided medical writing expertise for regulatory documents with the specific focus on business critical projects.
Developed abstracts, posters, and slides for FDA advisory board and other meetings.
Provided guidance for hiring, resourcing, project planning, and infrastructure development.

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Top Director, Medical Writing Employers

Biogen

ApotheCom Associates

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

MedImmune

Clinical Laboratories Of Hawa

Millennium The Takeda Oncology Company

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Covalent Group Inc

MED Communications

What Kind Of Companies Hire a Director, Medical Writing

Biogen
ApotheCom Associates
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
MedImmune
Clinical Laboratories Of Hawa
Millennium The Takeda Oncology Company
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Covalent Group Inc
MED Communications

Become A Director, Medical Writing

Working As A Director, Medical Writing

What Does A Director, Medical Writing Do

How To Become A Director, Medical Writing

Director, Medical Writing Jobs

Director, Medical Writing Typical Career Paths

Do you work as a Director, Medical Writing?

Do you work as a Director, Medical Writing?

Director, Medical Writing Demographics

Director, Medical Writing Education

How Would You Rate The Salary Of a Director, Medical Writing?

Top Skills for A Director, Medical Writing

Top Director, Medical Writing Skills

How Would You Rate Working As a Director, Medical Writing?

Top Director, Medical Writing Employers

What Kind Of Companies Hire a Director, Medical Writing

Find Director, Medical Writing Jobs In Every State

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Become A Director, Medical Writing

Working As A Director, Medical Writing

What Does A Director, Medical Writing Do

How To Become A Director, Medical Writing

Director, Medical Writing Jobs

Director, Medical Writing Typical Career Paths

Do you work as a Director, Medical Writing?

Do you work as a Director, Medical Writing?

Director, Medical Writing Demographics

Director, Medical Writing Education

How Would You Rate The Salary Of a Director, Medical Writing?

Top Skills for A Director, Medical Writing

Top Director, Medical Writing Skills

How Would You Rate Working As a Director, Medical Writing?

Top Director, Medical Writing Employers

What Kind Of Companies Hire a Director, Medical Writing

Find Director, Medical Writing Jobs In Every State

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