7 Transferable Skills: From Hospital to Industry
One of the most common questions searched by clinicians, whether they be doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, or post-doc, who want to get into the pharmaceutical industry is how they can obtain a role without experience. This is the wrong attitude because those who understand they have relevant experience, interests, and passions to leverage in their current role have the best chance of success for a successful transition into the pharmaceutical industry.
Medicines information
Most clinicians know or have undertaken a rotation in the medicine's information. Many jobs in the pharmaceutical industry look for this skill set, including Medical Affairs. The ability to provide medical information to health care professionals and patients on the current disease state and therapies is an excellent transferable skill. Medicines information is significant to communicate knowledge of the drug's effective use for both on-label and off-label indications within the hospital formulary.
Material development
Suppose you've been a part of creating, reviewing, researching, and developing for your hospital; this skill set which can be utilised within the pharmaceutical industry. You should extract and highlight any list of publications, abstracts, blogs, and formulary creations you have been a part of on your CV and communicate the relevance to your role at your next interview.
Medical Engagement
Explain to your next employer how working day to day with other healthcare professionals and understanding their needs and concerns will clearly demonstrate your value to the business. The experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team to achieve positive patient outcomes is a similar skill set to working cross-functionally within the industry to achieve shared company success. This requires teamwork and a commitment to something greater than yourself, something that you have in abundance.
Project Management
Your ability to manage workload and prioritisation in a hospital is one of the greatest attributes you can have to the industry; using critical thinking to prioritise which patients to treat or which long-term projects is something the hiring manager wants to hear about. If you've had to manage people and projects, e.g., clinical audits, these are great examples and situations to use in your interview.
Research
Conducting research positions, you as an out-of-the-box thinker and distinguishes you from your counterparts. Communicating your research demonstrates that you are a problem solver and creative thinker and committed to improving patient care.
Medical Education and Training
Those with a background in educating and training other healthcare professionals will be at a distinct advantage; this illustrates your ability to effectively present information (E.g. new guidelines and health authority updates). Leveraging your experience to onboard new team members and train those junior to yourself shows you can start from the basics.
Market Insights
As a by-product of being a clinician, your ability to provide key market insights, perhaps you have experience using a particular therapy or following a specific guideline. You may also be aware of some of the potential of the company's treatment and will be able to communicate your insights and what you would do to drive the business forward.
Thank you for your reading, until next time.