• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Health Writer Hub

Health Writer Hub

Medical Writing Courses & Certification

  • Writing Courses
    • Free Course
    • Breaking Into Health Writing
    • Introduction to Health Writing
    • Principles of Health & Medical Copywriting
    • Freelance Writing Course
    • How to Write Patient Education Materials
    • Medical Editing Course
    • Build Your Portfolio Masterclass
  • Tools
    • Health Writing Template Package
    • Freelance Health Writer Business Planner
    • Article Pitching Guide
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Contact
    • Subscribe

The best description of a medical writer career

If only I'd read this medical writer career description when I was a student, studying journalism at university. It's highly likely I'd have been inspired to forge my medical writing career immediately.

LAST UPDATED March 21, 2021 | FIRST PUBLISHED January 5, 2014 | BY Michelle Guillemard

LinkedInFacebookTweetPinPrintEmail

If only I’d read this medical writer career description when I was a student, studying journalism at university. It’s highly likely I’d have been inspired to forge my medical writing career immediately.

Shmoop, a website I’d never heard of until recently, has a detailed overview of what the medical writing career entails.

While I don’t agree with everything (I disagree that there’s not much poetic license in medical writing – there is more to the profession than regulatory and marketing-style writing) I really enjoyed reading this – and I think you will, too!

Here’s the teaser, to get you in the mood:

You’re an explorer in a jungle, bushwhacking through clinging vines and swarms of ravenous insects. Exhausted, you and your expedition crew reach a clearing, and yikes, you hear the click of rifles. Uh-oh. You’ve stumbled onto the locals, and they’re armed and scowling. All of you start jabbering. They’re unintelligible. You’re terrified. But your crew’s trusty translator pipes up and starts talking as if your lives depend on it.

They do.

A medical writer is kind of like our tropical friend, translating from one language to the other, but without the rumble-in-the-jungle drama and the insect bites. The medical writer career translates scientific data into real-people talk (aka “the vernacular”) because, face it, laypeople, like the general public and many health professionals, need help.

FHW course outline blog post opt in - updated design from 11/1/2023

Interested in freelance writing?

freelance medical writing course

How to Become a Freelance Health Writer Course

Starts Monday 12 June 2023

Plan your career transition with your first year mapped out.

Prepare your business documents and processes.

Launch your freelance writing business.

Enter your email for a free course outline!

You'll also join 20,000+ others who receive our regular emails. Opt out at any time. View our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Loading

Read the rest of the full piece here at Shmoop.

Medical writer career resources

Thinking about a medical writer career? Here are some additional resources to help you out as you navigate your journey:

  • Medical writer associations – there are plenty of local and national associations, like the American Medical Writers Association, that have great networking options and face-to-face meetups
  • LinkedIn groups – search for medical writing groups on LinkedIn – here are many active groups with thousands of members
  • Writing courses – there are generic writing courses and specific medical writing courses which may help you work out your unique medical writer career path
  • Online networking groups – groups on Facebook often have writers who are ready to help you out with real-time responses
  • Blogs and advice – browse the blog on Health Writer Hub; we write about everything from medical writer careers to where to find free journal articles to clinical trial design and more!

LinkedInFacebookTweetPinPrintEmail

Filed Under: Growing your career

About Michelle Guillemard

Michelle Guillemard is the founder of Health Writer Hub, the Past President of the Australasian Medical Writers Association and a freelance medical writer. Blogging about health & medical writing since 2012, Michelle teaches health writing courses and communication workshops to students and corporations around the world. Michelle is passionate about creating better health outcomes and changing lives through effective health communication. Connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

New to health writing?

Our Breaking Into Health Writing course is the perfect starting point for beginner health writers. You'll explore career options, essential skills, writing styles, in-demand niches, networking, marketing and payment options. After you complete this course, you'll be ready to plan your career transition.

LEARN MORE

Health writing courses

Not sure which course is right for you?

Get in touch, and let's have a chat about your skills and experience.

HELP ME CHOOSE

Footer

Join 20,000+ writers who are learning now. Get the latest health writing advice and course news.

Opt out at any time.

SUPPORT

Contact
FAQ
Payment
Disclaimer
Terms
Refunds

ABOUT

About us
Student feedback
Alumni
Accreditation
Subscribe

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Courses

Health writing
Freelancing
Medical copywriting
Medical editing
Health marketing
Career course
View all courses

Health Writer Hub © 2023. All Rights Reserved. I acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where I live, learn and work.

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!