Moving from pharma to medical devices a checklist for candidates - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Moving from pharma to medical devices â€" a checklist for candidates - Viewpoint - careers advice blog At first glance, the medical device and pharmaceutical industries may look similar, but when you dig a little deeper (as we did in the previous post), each is unique. While positions in RD, quality assurance, regulatory and other central departments may be similar in essence between the two, in sales and distribution (where the majority of appointments are made), the differences are significant. Anna Wysocka, Team Leader at Hays Life Sciences in Europe, who specialises in medical devices placements, notes that, historically, medical device companies prefer candidates with a background in their own industry, because of differences in the job descriptions, lifestyle and remuneration packages in the pharmaceutical industry. According to Anna, medical device companies are now starting to soften towards candidates with pharma backgrounds, so if you’re thinking of moving in this direction, ask yourself the following questions: 1. How’s your anatomy and physiology? Because medical devices are technical in nature, practical scientific knowledge is highly prized. An educational background in anatomy and physiology is desirable. In laboratory diagnostics (a growing medical devices market) a degree in analytics, molecular biology or microbiology, along with laboratory experience, is preferred over straight sales experience. 2. How do you like to spend your day? Pharmaceutical sales representatives generally spend their day making short visits to doctors. Medical device representatives, by contrast, may spend the entire day at a hospital, educating stakeholders and clinicians. Depending on the product, they may even be required to assist during surgery, and instruct in optimal technique. 3. Are you free to travel for work? Where pharmaceutical sales representatives generally take responsibility for a limited geographical area and return home at the end of the day, medical device representatives’ territories are likely to be determined by the hospitals they serve. They may, therefore, be called upon to travel regularly. 4. Do you like feeling indispensable? Doctors’ and clinicians’ ability to perform their work depends upon acquiring the most appropriate medical devices, and being able to use them correctly. A medical device representative is, therefore, often in demand and may even be called upon out of hours by a doctor for guidance in the use of a product. 5.  How well do you handle responsibility? Because the nature of the relationship between a medical device representative and a clinician is more consultative, they also are tasked with greater responsibility. They must also have the capacity to build and cultivate trust 6. Are you willing to take an initial pay cut? Base salaries in medical devices start out typically 30-45% lower than in pharma. This is offset by the much higher commissions that can be made, but which take more time to accrue. This has typically been a barrier to movement between the two industries. With all that said, how do candidates feel once they’ve made the move from pharma to medical devices? Anna Wysocka reports: “Most candidates say they’re glad they made the change. It’s big, but they’re happier â€" they enjoy being consultants to doctors and feeling genuinely needed.” While these observations generally apply to positions in sales, it’s clear that the distinctiveness of the medical devices market will affect job descriptions and work conditions across the board. Understanding the key differences between the industries is a good place to start if you’re interested in moving. For specialist advice, talk to us at Hays. Search and apply for jobs in Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals  here.  You can also stay up to date with the latest news from across the globe by joining our LinkedIn group,  Life Sciences Industry Insights with Hays  and following us on Twitter  @HaysLifeSciences I hope you have found the above advice useful. Here are some other Life Sciences focused Viewpoint blogs to help you progress your career: Medical devices vs pharmaceuticals a brief guide to the differences 5 ways to build your personal brand in life sciences How to network for success in the life sciences sector How to develop your strategic networking game plan The three types of network you need to succeed How to optimise your LinkedIn profile 5 things life science startups are looking for on your CV Life sciences recruitment: where are we headed?