Medical Communications

Medical Communications

​The most recent study byTufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, puts the cost of bringing a medicine from invention to pharmacy shelves at $2.7bn. Imagine that drug had the power to improve patients daily lives, it might for example prevent infection, stop disease progression, or make debilitating symptoms or side effects manageable but nobody knew about it.According to Med Comms network, “Medical research is meaningless unless it is communicated well to the right people.”

In order for patients to receive that treatment and for it to be distributed on an appropriate scale, the pharmaceutical company needs to work with clinical experts to plan, to support and deliver well thought-out information and education to a variety of audiences. Additionally,The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP)highlights howThe World Medical Associationdeclared ethical best practices for patients receiving the results of clinical trials they participated in.These are just a few reasons why medical communications is vitally important.

There are many platforms for medical communications professionals to exhibit their work, but the pinnacle of a medical writers career occurs when their work is published in an esteemed medical journal. Perhaps the most prominent publication isThe Journal of the American Medical Association. Established in 1883, it is the world’s most circulated journal, and has around 1.2 million email subscribers who receive the table of contents free via email. The journal also receives around 15 million annual visits to its website. In addition, the journal published by theAmerican Medical Writers Associationis anauthoritative, comprehensive source of information about knowledge, skills, and opportunities in the field of medical communications.

There will be an abundance of work in the global medical communications market as there is a need for commercially available written material aimed at health practitioners and patients. The sector is poised to reach a market value of around $3.6bn by 2026 and will grow at CAGR above 9.7 % from 2019 to 2026, according a report from Acumen Research, entitled ‘Medical Writing Market’.


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Medical Communications Jobs

Manager, Scientific Communications - Biotech - Hybrid in Boston

An established Boston-based biotech presents an exciting career opportunity for a high-achieving Manager, Scientific Communications. If you're eager to contribute your expertise to a successful company with a strong pipeline, don't hesitate to reach out. Sitting as a member of the Medical Affairs team, this position offers the chance to pioneer the Scientific Communications team as they grow with in the Med Affairs department. The Role Responsibilities: Content Development: literature summaries, competitive intelligence analyses, medical writing (manuscripts, publication plans), medical information request responses, presentations, etc. Medical Review Vendor Management Working cross-functionally with regulatory, marketing, MSLs, medical review, and more. Qualifications: 3+ years of medical communications experience (med comms agency, pharmaceutical, academia) PharmD, PhD, MD, MS Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with internal and external partners *This opportunity requires 3 days/week on-site in their Boston-based office*

Negotiable
Boston
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Freelance Medical Editor

We have a current opportunity for a Freelance Medical Editor on a contract basis. EPM are working with a European based medical communication agency that are really interested in speeding up efficiency. They have a team of medical writers based in New York (East coast) area and are looking to add a freelance medical editor to help support with fact checking as well as MLR submissions. Their main therapeutic area is rare disease. Experience with MLR Submissions Experience with Veeva Submission Pre-approved emails / Claims emails Adaptable mindset of ever-changing landscape of Veeva Strong Fact checking expertise Preferred robust scientific background (master's degree or above) Contract 2-3 days (20-25 hours) per week Start date mid-to-end of October Mid to senior level (7-12 years' experience) 12 months contract *Could be an option to go temp to perm

Negotiable
United States of America
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CRM Manager

My client is looking for a Senior CRM & Business Development Specialist. They need someone with proven experience in Microsoft Dynamics 365. Contractual Details: FTE: 1 (40hrs) Length: 3-6 months Hybrid: 3 days WFH Key Responsibilities: Proactively lead the optimisation and integration of the CRM platform. Support commercial insight driven propositions targeting key stakeholders and supporting new revenue streams and our overall digital strategy. Analyse the data and report on trends for future predictive model builds. If this role is not suited to you but you know someone in your network who would be interested, please forward this advert along.

Negotiable
England
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Freelance Medical Editor

Freelance Medical Editor Role Requirements: Experience with consistency checks Experience with creation of style guides Experience working with promotional creative materials 2-3 Years previous medical editing experience Contractual Details: 6-12 Months (Possible Extension) 40 Hours Per Week (Flexible) Fully Remote (Must be based in EU) If you are interested in the opportunity above and want to work with an innovative medical communications agency, then reach out to me on either the below: ☎ 020 3758 8923 📩

Negotiable
England
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Scientific Director - Medical Communications Agency

Scientific Director - Commercial/Promo Med Ed Company Summary: A full-service Med Comms agency is looking for a Scientific Director to join their extremely stable, reputable agency. While offering fully remote flexibility, this agency harvests a collaborative environment, amazing employee tenure, and great client relationships. The Scientific Director will be responsible for: Functioning as the Medical Lead across their accounts. Reviewing of various commercial/promotional med ed deliverables including but not limited to brochures, slide decks, symposia, videos, advisory boards and more. Communicating with clients directly, leading status calls, and ensuring their objectives are met Oversight of junior team members (Medical Writers and Associate Scientific Directors) Participating in new business development and pitches. The Scientific Director should have the following qualifications: Must hold a PhD, PharmD, or MD Experience working with commercial and promotional med ed deliverables Comfortable working across a range of therapeutic areas 5+ years of relevant med comms agency experience Benefits: A highly collaborative environment who value employee growth and success Fully remote option Health, Dental, and Vision coverage as well as competitive compensation If you are interested in the Scientific Director role, then please don't wait to apply.

US$140000 - US$150000 per annum
United States of America
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Medical Director

Job Title: Medical Director, Promotional Med Ed & Commercial Location: Remote (Continental USA) The Company: Join a well-established agency that serve as strategic partners for some of the leading pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies. Deliver impactful medical education that drives healthcare understanding and decision-making. Role & Responsibilities: Ideal candidates will be solution-oriented, high-scientific, and have a passion for mentorship. You'll help oversee and grow an award-winning team and will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. Contribute to and oversee the development of deliverables including digital and print materials like presentation decks, video and animation storyboards, advisory boards, and more Maintain effective relationships with thought leaders and clients, providing strategic advice Manage a team of medical writers and associate medical directors, acting as a mentor and ensuring the timely execution of high-quality work Participate in new business pitches Skills and Qualifications PhD, PharmD, or MD is required 5+ years of agency experience is required Experience managing direct reports is preferred Expertise in oncology is preferred

US$140000 - US$160000 per annum
New York
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Medical Director

We're partnered with a boutique, independent agency that's seeking a Medical Director to join their team. Responsibilities: Create and review deliverables in the Promotional Medical Education/Commercial and Medical Affairs spaces including advisory boards, steering committee meetings, slide decks, video scripts, scientific platforms, modules, eLearning, MSL trainings, banner ads, infographics, and more Be the client lead for remote and in-person meetings, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality deliverables Cover various therapeutic areas and work across multiple accounts including, but not limited to, hematology, oncology, rare diseases, cardiology, and renal Work collaboratively with internal teams Qualifications: Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD) At least four years of direct Medical Communications agency experience Experience working with freelancers a plus Therapeutic experience in the above a plus This agency has a strong pipeline and nice trajectory in terms of sales and revenue for the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, so this is an amazing opportunity to continue learning & growing. Reach out with questions and apply here!

US$130000 - US$150000 per annum
New York
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Senior Medical Writer - Med Comms Agency

An independent Med Comms agency that specializes in Commercial and Medical Affairs work is bringing on a Senior Medical Writer to join their established team. This agency has incredible tenure, a collaborative culture, and delivers top quality work to their clients. If you have 2+ years of agency experience, please don't hesitate to apply! Responsibilities: Lead the development of a wide range of medical content, including promotional materials, websites, slide decks, brochures, congress materials, advisory boards, executive summaries, video scripts, and more. Collaborate closely with internal teams, including account managers, designers, and medical experts, to ensure content aligns with project objectives and client needs. Provide mentorship and guidance to junior writers. Communicate directly with clients to provide insight on project timelines and content strategies. Requirements: MS, PhD, MD, PharmD. Minimum of 2 years experience in a Med Comms Agency, with a strong focus on promotional medical education and medical affairs content. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to interpret complex scientific data and translate it into engaging content for various audiences. Familiarity working across a wide range of therapeutic areas.

US$95000 - US$105000 per annum
United States of America
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Medical Director - Med Comms Agency - Promo Med Ed

Are you an agency professional with a passion for driving impactful medical communication strategies? Do you excel in leading teams and guiding promotional medical education and medical affairs initiatives? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our esteemed client, a leading Medical Communications Agency, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Medical Director to join their independent agency. Role Overview: As the Medical Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing medical communication deliverables and strategies that align with the clients' goals. You will be able to own and drive your accounts and work autonomously with the accounts and client services teams. This role offers a unique blend of scientific expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking. Responsibilities: Provide medical leadership and strategic input across promotional med ed and medical affairs accounts. Collaborate with clients to understand their medical communication needs and develop tailored solutions. Manage freelance writers and delegate work. Experience working across a range of therapeutic ares. Oversee the development of medical content for a variety of promotional and medical affairs deliverables. Collaborate with internal teams, including account managers and creative teams, to ensure seamless project execution. Qualifications: PhD, PharmD or MD. 3-6 years of Medical Communications agency experience working in promotional med ed and medical affairs. Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities. Experience working with and/or managing team of freelance writers. Experience with project and budget management.

US$130000 - US$150000 per annum
United States of America
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Vice President, Medical Director - Med Comms Agency

Overview: A medical communications agency specializing in providing innovative solutions for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries is looking to bring on a Vice President, Medical Director to join their team. The Vice President, Medical Director is a crucial leadership role within the medical communications agency. They will be responsible for overseeing and guiding the strategic development of publication deliverables across multiple accounts. Responsibilities: Lead and mentor a team of skilled medical writers and publication managers to deliver exceptional publications across various therapeutic areas. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as scientific services, account and client services, and business development. Develop and implement strategic publication plans for clients, aligned with their scientific communication goals and regulatory requirements. Stay abreast of emerging trends, guidelines, and regulations related to scientific publications to ensure compliance and adoption of best practices. Oversee the development of abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and other publication materials, adhering to industry standards and client specifications. Qualifications: PhD, MD, or PharmD 10+ year of medical communications agency experience working in the publications space Demonstrated leadership experience with a track record of effectively leading and inspiring teams. In-depth knowledge of publication planning, ICMJE guidelines, GPP3, and other relevant industry guidelines.

US$180000 - US$190000 per annum
United States of America
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Contract Account Manager Microbiology

I am currently working with a leading biotechnology distributor, I am actively seeking a talented individual to join their team as a Freelance Account Manager for microbiology in the Dublin area. Essential Duties: · Create sales projects · Create and maintain customer relationships · Carry out tests and offer application advice to customers on site. Candidate Requirements: · Degree in (Scientific) degree in biology, life sciences or food technology · Must be based in Ireland · Experience selling specifically into Microbiology/Life Sciences Accounts Contractual Details: · 6 Month Contract · 40 Hours Per Week · ASAP Start Should you be interested in this opportunity, please click the appropriate links to apply and we can schedule a confidential call.

Negotiable
Republic of Ireland
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Senior Medical Director

Job Title: Senior Medical Director, Promotional Med Ed & Med Affairs Location: Remote (Continental USA) The Company: Working with blue-chip pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies, the internationally renowned agency specializes in engaging healthcare professionals with innovative and interactive digital content, at the forefront of novel HCP communication strategies. The agency is growing its US presence to reflect recent organic and new business wins. Role & Responsibilities: Ideal candidates will possess a lead-by-example personality and have a passion for mentorship. You'll help oversee and grow an award-winning promo med ed team and will report directly to the Chief Medical Officer and agency President. With ample visibility to senior leadership and a clear path for growth, you'll have plenty of opportunities for professional progress. Leveraging your scientific and strategic expertise to act as a leader in client interactions, contributing to tactical and brand planning Maintaining effective relationships with thought leaders and clients Managing a team of medical writers and associate medical directors, acting as a mentor and ensuring the timely execution of high-quality work Oversee the development of deliverables including digital platforms, presentation decks, live video and animation storyboards, print materials, and more Participating in new business pitches Skills and Qualifications Ph.D. in life sciences is required 5+ years of agency experience is required Experience managing direct reports is preferred Expertise in infectious diseases or oncology is preferred Compensation and Benefits Salary of $160,000-$180,000 Unlimited paid vacation, sick, and wellness leave Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage Employee stock option and 401k programs with company match Additional monthly compensation for Wi-Fi, cell phone, and mental & physical wellness Exceptional company culture and collaborative team environment

US$160000 - US$180000 per annum + Unlimited PTO
New York
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Medical Communications News & Insights

Life Sciences Salary Guides of 2023 Image
biometrics

Life Sciences Salary Guides of 2023

Are you aiming to advance your career within the life sciences sector? Are you interested in discovering your competitors‘ offerings for professionals in your field across the APAC region? We are excited to present our new series of Salary Guides for the life sciences industry. These comprehensive reports will furnish you with invaluable insights into the present salary trends in Singapore, China, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.Compiled from the responses of almost 900 life sciences professionals in the APAC region, this is an opportunity you shouldn't overlook. Seize the chance to gain a competitive advantage in the life sciences field, enabling you to make well-informed choices about your career trajectory, compensation, and hiring approaches.

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The Benefits of Hiring In-House Medical Communications Talent in the Era of AI Image
medical-communications

The Benefits of Hiring In-House Medical Communications Talent in the Era of AI

​Discussions and debates among Medical Communications (MedComms) professionals are being dominated by AI. How can language-processing AI tools be used to increase their productivity, which tools are best, what are the limitations, and what are the risks? MedComms professionals play a vital role within life sciences, simplifying complex medical information and accurately translating it for a variety of audiences. AI tools can help MedComms professionals work quicker and produce higher quality content[1], even summarizing research findings, drafting medical reports, or helping teams where English isn’t their first language bring their scientific knowledge to more people.However, as we learn more about these tools and they continue to evolve by the day, new threats are arising. In the life sciences industry, where brand trust is vital and wrong facts can spell disaster, the negative consequences can be momentous. As AI usage becomes more prevalent, MedComms teams must be aware of the risks, and ensure they are using AI tools correctly. Having a dedicated in-house MedComms team within your agency or individual specialist project consultants, rather than outsourcing to a consultancy, can be beneficial to organizations looking to mitigate the risks of AI and ensure it is being used correctly. Here are five threats MedComms professionals must be aware of when using AI tools, and reasons why life sciences companies and MedComms agencies should consider hiring specialised MedComms talent or consultants in an era dominated by the rapid rise of AI:1. Outdated dataChatGPT, the most popular tool for generating written content, has only been fed information up to September 2021 at time of writing, so it will not pick up on new industry developments, research, or statistics. As MedComms professionals are usually working on new studies, drugs or devices, it is near-impossible for AI tools to provide up-to-date information to aid with creating new content.Working with a specialised in-house MedComms team or project consultant, rather than outsourcing to an consultancy, will ensure that your team have lived and breathed the product throughout its entire lifecycle, giving them an in-depth knowledge of the project they are working on. This will allow them to write their own original, detailed, and accurate content, then use AI to produce supporting documents and copy to boost their productivity, rather than risking an outsourced team using AI to generate generic new content. Likewise, through the use of specialised consultants, you save outsourcing costs and utilize time efficiently, as they are working side by side with you in-house as part of the team.2. Knowledge is powerWhile AI algorithms can be used to aid research by efficiently scanning through vast databases of medical literature to locate relevant studies or statistics, AI tools commonly used by comms professionals do not have access to the contents of every medical report, book and journal available. Combine this with the previously mentioned knowledge cut-off points, and any MedComms professional relying on AI too heavily will be missing out on a wealth of industry knowledge and sources. We asked ChatGPT if it had access to medical journals, and this is what it said: “My responses are generated based on a mixture of licensed data, data created by human trainers, and publicly available data. I have been trained on a wide range of data sources, including books, websites, and other texts, to develop a broad understanding of human language. It is possible that the content I generate may include information from medical journals or studies that have been published in the public domain. However, it's important to note that while I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, my responses may not always reflect the most current research or medical guidelines. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving, and new studies can emerge that may change the understanding or treatment of certain conditions. Therefore, it's always a good idea to refer to reputable medical sources for the latest research findings.”Specialised consultants in this space, who can bridge this gap and work in-house, have access to a collaborative environment where colleagues care deeply about their project. Therefore, they are more likely to share relevant studies and articles with each other, sparking ideas to improve content that is most beneficial to the business.3. Adding the human touchAs more content is being created and published with the use of AI tools, it is becoming easier to identify when content has been generated by it – for example, overuse of key words or phrases, very broad or generic statements with no originality, and a lack of logical flow. William Paton, Senior Vice President at EPM Scientific, recently attended a seminar about ChatGPT and its impact on Medical Affairs at MAPS Lisbon. This particular comment resonated with him: “We should use AI as a co-pilot into our workflow, but not use it externally with HCPs for example”. Essentially, the tool can make us more time efficient when it comes to more mundane tasks, freeing up time for more impactful work. However, the human touch element remains as a fundamental part of the process. Ultimately, in-house team members or consultants need to be embedded into a company’s culture and values, to naturally add company keywords, tone of voice, and flair when writing content.4. Protect your brand reputationAI tools like ChatGPT collect comments from social media and news articles among its many sources. This can cause incorrect narratives or information to be presented as facts, which if not fact-checked before publishing could be disastrous for brand reputation. This feature can also cause negative sentiments or bad PR to be amplified, so when people use ChatGPT to find out information about your company or product, they will be supplied with negative or inaccurate information. A range of different audiences rely on the information MedComms professionals provide, be it expert KOLs to the everyday person on the street, and publications from reliable sources are the beating heart of MedComms. With misinformation being such a prevalent topic in today’s work, the correct application of AI needs to be taken with the upmost responsibility. Using a specialised consultant, who has the insight into how these tools work and can maximize usability, will allow you to work more directly throughout the content production process to ensure that all new content created is correct and has been fact-checked. They can also proactively prepare crisis communications and actively monitor social media and consumer sentiment, so that in the rare chance of receiving public negativity you could save your brand or company reputation before news become more mainstream.5. Keep track of evolving AI threats The risks that AI tools present to MedComms teams discussed above will rapidly evolve – new AI tools are being published weekly, constantly bringing both new threats and opportunities. For instance, Google was the seventh established search engine but is the most widely used today. What’s to say that the biggest AI tool MedComms professionals use ten years from now has even been invented yet?Despite the worries many comms professionals have about AI replacing them, they will never be able to replicate the soft skills needed to be able to match humans’ quality of work. However, MedComms professionals may find their jobs at risk from others who understand and utilize AI tools better than them. We can identify expert MedComms consultants or specialists for your organization who can keep track of AI tools, understand and overcome emerging risks, avoid costly mistakes, save time, and provide a competitive advantage as AI becomes ever-more prevalent.How EPM Scientific can helpEPM Scientific’s specialist talent team combines cutting-edge industry expertise with our extensive global database of highly qualified MedComms professionals available for permanent and contract roles. We can help you find the perfect MedComms candidate or consultant with the knowledge to use AI tools safely and keep track of the risks to help your business thrive.As a specialist life sciences talent partner, EPM Scientific helps clients with hiring within 3 different verticals in MedComms: Scientific Services - including Medical Writers and Scientific DirectorsClient Services - including Accounts and Project ManagersDigital & Creative Services – including Creative Directors, UX Designers and Digital ConsultantsIf you’re looking to hire MedComms talent, find out more about how we can support you by requesting a call back from our experts today.[1]https://www.nngroup.com/articles/chatgpt-productivity/

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The Life Sciences Skills Gap: How to Hire Image
safety-pharmacovigilance

The Life Sciences Skills Gap: How to Hire

​The life sciences industry is rapidly growing, but it is experiencing skills gaps that need to be addressed to allow it to reach its full potential. According to a 2022 life sciences and pharma talent trends report, 33% of C-suite and human capital leaders in the life sciences and pharmaceuticals sector agree that talent scarcity is a major pain point. This problem is widespread, with the UK also suffering a skills shortage that threatens to stall the industry’s trajectory.Skills gaps in digital and computational skills, and industrial, economic, and clinical research are particularly large. However, if phenotypic, genomic, and patient data integration practices can be optimized across the industry, this will support both research and treatment advances in the future.This article shares effective hiring strategies that can help life sciences organizations address skill gaps within their teams and wider business.Understanding the skills gaps in the life sciences industryStatistics from the talent trends report highlight the key skills gaps in the life sciences industry and how they impact key research and development processes. Demand for life sciences products is forecast to grow more rapidly than the global GDP over the coming years, and 45% of the aforementioned talent leaders note that they are looking to hire primarily to avoid talent scarcity from hindering their organizations’ progress. Moreover, the report found that 67% of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies believe that reskilling their current employees is an efficient way to address and mitigate skills gaps. It currently takes 105 days on average to fill a non-executive life sciences position in the US, leading to financial losses of $500 per open role per day, so intentional talent strategies are crucial to setting life sciences businesses on the path to success.Supporting mobility between sectorsSupporting mobility between sectors plays a vital role in closing the skills gaps within the life sciences industry. Enabling professionals to transition across sectors, ranging from Regulatory and Legal Services to Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Engineering, allows life sciences companies to tap into a vast pool of talent. This is also an effective method of sharing intersectional knowledge and developing key skills.Selecting candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds for open roles may also bring more unique perspectives into your organization, thereby driving innovation and helping to meet growing demand. Focus on transferable skillsFocusing on transferable skills is a powerful approach to bridging the skills gap in the life sciences industry. Rather than solely emphasizing sector-specific experience, prioritizing transferable skills enables professionals to adapt and thrive in new roles within the field. The life sciences industry’s talent offers a myriad of transferable skills that can be used to power future growth and innovation. These include analytical skills, leadership and teamwork skills, problem solving, written and oral communication skills, management skills, and scientific peer communication. Additional soft skills to focus on in your talent acquisition strategy include critical thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail.Consider cultural fitSeek out candidates from other industries who align with your organization’s culture, values, and core mission. This alignment promotes employee engagement, retention, and overall job satisfaction, whilst creating a supportive working environment that benefits from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.These candidates should also possess the aforementioned transferable skills, which will help to ensure that they can perform optimally in their new roles without being hindered by common skills gaps.Offer more flexibilityWhile not a priority for all candidates, flexible working arrangements such as remote or hybrid work arrangements are valuable to skilled candidates and may help to give your organization an advantage in the ongoing competition for life sciences talent.Hire top talent with EPM ScientificEPM Scientific is a leading specialist life sciences talent partner, providing you with a wealth of expertise to help you locate the best talent for your life sciences roles globally. Submit a vacancy or request a call back from our team to find the right people to drive your organization forwards.

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How to Ensure Employee Retention in Life Sciences Image
safety-pharmacovigilance

How to Ensure Employee Retention in Life Sciences

​The Pharmaceutical market has expanded considerably in the past two decades, with Pharma revenues totalling $1.42tn in 2021. This has been accompanied by a growing demand for experienced, highly qualified Life Sciences professionals: with more drugs than ever now available, companies require a strong workforce to bring their products to market. The industry has had to deal with an ever-small talent pool as a result, which has been exacerbated by one of the highest employee churn rates, with the Life Sciences and Medical Devices industry alone seeing a 20.6% turnover rate. This is reflected in the results of our Life Sciences survey which revealed that more than 40% of Life Sciences professionals are currently looking for a new role.The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in resignations across all industries, as many employees started to re-evaluate their priorities and seek roles that offered flexible remote-work policies. Consequently, companies have found it harder to get the people they need. 47.8 million workers in the U.S. decided to quit their jobs in 2021 – the highest volume of resignations since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began recording this data in 2001. This is equivalent to 3.98 million workers quitting their jobs each month, up from an average of roughly 3m leaving their jobs each month in 2019.Similar trends have been observed in Australia and the UK, where the rate of employed people between 16-64 choosing to switch jobs reached an all-time high of 3.2% between October-December 2021. The resignation rate continued to increase in 2022, with job-to-job resignations in the UK peaking at 442,000 in the second quarter of 2022. In Europe, one in three workers are considering quitting their jobs in the near term, with inadequate compensation and lack of career advancement being cited as the top factors.Why are Life Sciences professionals leaving their roles?The reasons that Life Sciences professionals have for wanting to leave their jobs vary across each industry sector. However, the promise of higher remuneration is invariably the main reason. This is according to findings from our Year in Review, which goes into greater depth about the factors that matter most to Life Sciences professionals when seeking to advance their careers.There are a host of other important factors, however, such as the desire for an improved work-life balance and employees wanting to acquire more new skills that will aid in their professional development. Changes in management can also cause people to want to move jobs, and Life Sciences professionals are increasingly looking for openings that provide flexible working hours and the ability to work from home.How to improve employee retentionThe good news is that there is a wide range of employee retention strategies that you can adopt in your workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective employee retention techniques that you can use to ensure that your employees are satisfied at work and remain highly motivated in their positions, as opposed to looking elsewhere for their big career break.Offer competitive salaries and benefitsDissatisfaction around salary has had a negative impact on talent retention in the Life Sciences sector. As we’ve seen across the board, wanting higher compensation is the top reason for employees wanting to move to jobs; 70% of the R&D professionals that we surveyed within the Pharmacological industry were motivated by the promise of higher compensation at other companies.Paying your team a competitive rate is a simple but effective employee retention strategy that you can use to avoid your workforce shrinking. Our survey results show that the majority of respondents want a pay rise upwards of 10-15% of their current salary, which provides some indication of how much you may need to offer in order to remain competitive. Focus on career developmentYour employees will be far less likely to want to continue working for you long-term if there are few opportunities for advancement – or if their ability to develop their skills is limited. A study by Work Institute found that employees quit in 20% of cases due to career development issues.This highlights the importance of setting clear paths for career progression to give your team the motivation and provide them with long-term goals.Be flexibleOffering flexible working arrangements is a sure-fire way to keep your employees happy. Our Year in Review revealed that the option to work from home is very important to 60% of the industry as a whole. The majority of R&D respondents deemed flexibility as either important or very important, and workers in Pharmacovigilance ranked flexibility higher than salary when asked what is most important when considering a new job.Whilst a lack of flexible working options will not be a deal-breaker for many employees, you will find it far easier to retain your top talent if you grant them greater freedom to work according to their preferences.Build a supportive company cultureThere’s nothing quite like a warm, friendly culture when it comes to getting excellent work out of your employees. It’s also one of the best ways to increase their loyalty to the company.Seeking feedback from employees on a regular basis about how working processes might be improved helps ensure that workers feel that their concerns are being heard and addressed. Providing senior employees with the skills and training that they need to be good managers is also a worthwhile endeavour. Manufacturing professionals regard good leadership as almost as important as salary, according to our Year in Review survey.Promote work-life balanceMore than a third of respondents in our Life Sciences Year in Review report highlighted a poor work-life balance as one of the main reasons for wanting to seek employment in another role. Almost half of the Clinical Pharmacology professionals surveyed cited a need for an improved work-life balance as their main reason for seeking a new position.With higher numbers of professionals re-evaluating their priorities in life in the wake of the COVID pandemic, it’s no wonder that Life Sciences professionals are seeking out positions that allow them to spend more time with their families and friends. Giving your employees more personal time is therefore one of the most effective strategies for employee retention.Offer innovative, up-to-date technologiesFinally, ensure that you have the latest technology in your workplace. Investing in top-of-the-range software, for example, will make it easier for your employees to complete tasks and reduce the errors that are made, thereby increasing company productivity and boosting morale.Employee retention is critical to successThriving companies are characterized by a happy, satisfied workforce and high employee retention rates. Partner with EPM Scientific, a leading executive search firm for the Life Sciences industry, to find out more about how you can implement employee retention strategies that get results. Request a call back and one of our specialist consultants will be in touch. ​

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How to Determine if a New Hire Will Fit into Your Company's Culture Image
clinical-operations

How to Determine if a New Hire Will Fit into Your Company's Culture

There’s no question that a company’s culture and ethos can help its employees feel more satisfied at work, increase employee retention and ultimately serve as a catalyst for its success. Company culture is seen as very important by professionals: survey data collected by Glassdoor shows that more than three quarters of professionals take the culture into account before applying for a job, and 56% say that they see the culture of a company as playing a more significant role than salary in determining overall job satisfaction. Given the role that it plays, cultural fit should be a key priority for employers.Why is cultural fit important?If somebody is a good cultural fit for a company, they are far more likely to be an engaged, motivated employee who derives satisfaction from their role. There is a greater chance that they will see the job as more than just a source of income and as such, they will be more likely to go above and beyond in the workplace and may even inspire others to follow in their footsteps.Hiring for cultural fit therefore makes good business sense. 10-25% of new employees decide to leave within six months of starting work, and one reason that professionals give for quitting is that they feel that they are a poor fit for the company culture. Choosing people for the job who are a natural fit for the company’s values and working practices is a great way to avoid these problems from arising.How to hire for cultural fit?Given the importance of company culture, businesses are increasingly hiring for cultural fit. This involves defining what your culture is all about and incorporating questions at interview stage that relate to your interviewees’ values, motivations and aspirations.Define your company’s cultureThe first step is to describe your company’s culture in writing. What are the values, beliefs and ethics that characterize your company’s operations and working environment? If you are struggling to capture the essence of your culture, it might be worth asking current employees about how they feel about the company and its working practices. It is recommended that you use such feedback when writing or updating a mission statement and articulating your company values. Include these on your website and on all your digital platforms, in addition to testimonials from your current employees.Demonstrate your values throughout the interview processAsking values-based interview questions is one of the best ways to identify candidates who share your values and will be a good fit in the workplace.You should also draw attention to the benefits that you offer your employees. 56% of CFOs in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) have said that they are considering expanding benefits, including flexible working arrangements (FWAs), in a bid to retain their top talent. If you offer flexible working roles, ensure that your staff relay this information at interview stage.Cover the right questionsIf you’re wondering how to determine if a candidate is a good fit, asking the following questions will help shed light on the personality of your interviewees and their alignment with your values:What motivates you? How do you handle conflict in the workplace?What work environment supports innovation and productivity levels? Give me an example of something that you have taught yourself in the last six monthsWhat experiences have shaped your outlook on life?What are you most proud of?Utilize personality testsPersonality tests provide valuable insights into how prospective employees approach problems. They can also shed light on their ability to work alongside others and offer further information about their interests and preferences.Some of the most common personality tests used by employers include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Caliper Profile and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire.Other key considerationsWhilst cultural fit is of great importance, it should be weighed alongside other factors. Hiring solely for cultural fit can perpetuate bias and lead to a lack of diversity within the workplace as a result. It’s also important to take into consideration an applicant’s qualifications, work experience, career aspirations and skill set when assessing their suitability for a role in your organization.Secure Life Sciences Talent with EPM ScientificAre you looking to solve your talent challenges? EPM Scientific offers bespoke talent solutions across Life Sciences A combination of our specialist account management service, ongoing support and reporting, and hiring advice allows us to find you exactly the people you need, when you need them. Register your vacancy or request a call back today.Our Talent Expertise​​​

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medical-communications

Medical Communications Talent

​Medical Communications centers on the communication of scientific and medical data on innovations and treatment perspectives to a range of audiences, including patients, hospital staff members, nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. This type of work is performed by Medical Communications agencies, who work closely with Pharmaceutical and Biotech organizations to develop materials that keep the aforementioned audiences up to date with the latest developments in their fields.Many Medical Communications agencies also provide specialized consultancy services to Pharmaceutical and Biotech businesses, assisting them in creating strategies and campaigns that enable the optimal dissemination of medical data to relevant parties. MedComms is an essential part of the Pharmaceutical Marketing industry and uses a strategic approach and a variety of channels to convey compelling messages that support Pharmaceutical companies and their products through their brand life cycles. Medical Communications roles often involve a combination of communication planning, editorial services, opinion leader profiling and engagement, scientific meeting planning, the creation of awareness, training and development programs, the creation of interactive media for a range of audiences, translation services from clinical data to practice, and the provision of Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Medical Communication roles are crucial for building confidence and market share and can unite the industry and healthcare professionals in pursuit of mutual objectives. The Medical Communications sector offers a wide range of roles to potential candidates, including scientific services roles, client services roles, and more. Working with an executive search agency specializing in Medical Communications candidates is a proven way of ensuring that your Medical Communications organization can find skilled and talented candidates to fill roles as Medical Writers, Associate Scientific Directors, Medical Directors, VP Medical Directors, Scientific Associates, Senior VP Scientific Services, and other similar positions.As an experienced Medical Communications executive search agency, EPM Scientific assists a range of MedComms clients in attracting, securing, and retaining talent to aid them in meeting their organizational goals. Our Medical Communications professional services will help your business to find the right people for every role you offer by sourcing and screening quality medical professionals.If you’re looking for talent or would like to find out more about what we have to offer, request a call back and one of our consultants specializing in Medical Communications talent solutions will be in touch. ​

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The Benefits of using Life Sciences contractors/freelancers Image
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The Benefits of using Life Sciences contractors/freelancers

The use of life sciences contractors and freelancers is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Not only are they able to provide specialized expertise, but they also offer a wide range of benefits that can help a business grow and thrive. Here are 10 of the top benefits of using life sciences contractors and freelancers.1. Cost Savings: Hiring contractors and freelancers is often significantly cheaper than hiring full-time staff. This is because you only pay for the services you need, when you need them.2. Flexibility: Contractors and freelancers offer flexibility that traditional employees cannot. You can easily scale up or down your workforce as needed, allowing you to meet fluctuating demands.3. Access To Specialized Expertise: Life sciences contractors and freelancers often have specialized skills and expertise that can be invaluable to a business.4. Faster Turnaround Time: When you need something done quickly, hiring a contractor or freelancer is often the fastest way to get the job done.5. Reduced Overhead: Contractors and freelancers don’t require the investment in overhead expenses that full-time employees do, such as office space and benefits.6. Fresh Perspective: Bringing in a contractor or freelancer can bring a fresh perspective to a project and help generate new ideas.7. Lower Risk: Hiring a contractor or freelancer reduces the risk that comes with hiring full-time employees. If a project doesn’t meet expectations, you can simply end the contract and look for a better fit.8. Increased Productivity: With more specialized expertise, contractors and freelancers can often complete projects more efficiently and quickly than full-time employees.9. Focus On Core Activities: By outsourcing more specialized tasks to contractors and freelancers, businesses can focus more on their core activities and reduce distractions.10. Improved Morale: Hiring contractors and freelancers can help to improve morale among existing staff, as they don’t have to take on extra tasks they may not be qualified or comfortable with.At EPM Scientific, we are the leading provider of life sciences contract and freelance recruitment services. We understand the importance of finding the right talent for the job, and have the experience and expertise to help you find the perfect candidate for your business. Request a call back from us todayto learn more about how we can help you find the perfect contractor or freelancer for your business.

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