How to Become a Medical Representative

Medical sales involves meeting with prospective customers.

Drug companies invest many years and millions of dollars to develop new drugs, according to The Sunday Times. When the drugs are on the market, the companies need someone to sell them to doctors, pharmacies and other outlets. That task falls to the medical representative. The future of medical sales is promising as technology in medicine continues to advance, according to Global Edge Recruiting. Medical representative often focus on one drug so they know the product well.

Instructions

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree from a four-year college in a related field. A degree relating to the sciences, the pharmaceutical industry, business or health care is recommended. Medical companies prefer a degree in business or life sciences, while some companies will consider entry-level candidates with business-to-business sales backgrounds, according to Global Edge Recruiting.

2. Gain experience in the wider sales industry if you can't land a medical representative job. Experience setting up appointments with potential clients, finding new businesses, closing deals and selling to a hesitant client will all transfer to a medical sales position. A medical company will see that you know something about the sales industry and that can put you ahead of the competition.

3. Improve your skills by attending classes and seminars specific to the medical sales field. The National Association of Medical Sales Representatives (NAMSR) offers courses specific to your level of experience. The introductory course is a training program that includes all information that entry level representatives should understand before entering a career in medical sales. NAMSR also offers additional classes for more experienced representatives.

4. Get your Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative (Cp.m.R) certificate. Having a Cp.m.R designation shows potential employers that you have advanced training in practical and business sales models. It is a certificate given to individuals, not to firms, so it is a way of showing third-party certification. The certification involves three courses that usually last one week and are taken annually. Classes are offered at college campuses across the country.

5. Apply for medical representative positions once you have your resume built up with education, work experience and certifications clearly outlined. Most companies provide ongoing on-the-job training so you can improve your skills and learn the specifics of that company. Depending on the company, this training can last months or even years, because your training needs will vary as you might move through different levels of sales and build your career.

References

• PharmiWeb: Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs
• The Sunday Times: How to become a medical representative
• Castle Worldwide
• Global Edge Recruiting: Medical Product Sales
• RMSR Medical Sales Training program