What Is a Medical Writer?

A Medical Writer creates scientifically accurate, clearly written content related to medicine and healthcare. This content is often used for education, marketing, regulatory submission, or public information.

Medical writers work in a variety of settings, including:

• Pharmaceutical and biotech companies

• Medical communication agencies

• Healthcare marketing firms

• Academic institutions and journals

• Government and nonprofit organizations

• Freelance or contract work

What Do Medical Writers Do?

Medical writers can specialize in different types of content depending on their background and interests. Here are a few examples:

🔹 Regulatory Writing

• Writing clinical study protocols, informed consent forms, and drug approval documents for submission to the FDA or similar agencies.

🔹 Medical Education

• Creating training modules for healthcare professionals or continuing education (CE) courses.

🔹 Marketing & Copywriting

• Developing brochures, web content, sales materials, or social media content for healthcare products and services.

🔹 Consumer Health Writing

• Writing blog posts, magazine articles, or patient education materials that explain complex health topics in simple terms.

🔹 Scientific Journalism or Academic Writing

• Summarizing research for medical journals, conferences, or lay audiences.

Who Makes a Great Medical Writer?

Many successful medical writers come from clinical or scientific backgrounds, including:

• Nurses (RNs)

• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists

• Physicians or PAs

• Pharmacists

• Scientists with advanced degrees (MS, PhD)

You don’t need a writing degree to break into the field—but you do need excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to translate clinical information for a target audience.

Why Consider Medical Writing?

• Fully remote-friendly career

• Flexible work hours—great for parents or those seeking better work-life balance

• High demand across multiple industries

• Potential for freelance, part-time, or full-time work

• Opportunity to make a difference through education and communication

Many clinicians find medical writing to be a creative and intellectually rewarding outlet for their healthcare knowledge.

Find Medical Writing Jobs and Career Support on Non-Clinical Gig

Interested in exploring a career in medical writing? The Non-Clinical Gig Job Board features listings for freelance and full-time medical writing roles in various specialties and industries.

Need help breaking in? Non-Clinical Gig offers expert resume help, portfolio review, interview coaching, and personalized career transition support to help you get noticed and get hired.

Love writing and want to leave the bedside behind? Medical writing could be your ideal next step. Visit Non-Clinical Gig today to explore job openings and get help launching your non-clinical career with confidence.