You’ve decided to transition from clinician to industry...GREAT!!! There are many clinical professionals in the MSL role. From medical doctors to advanced practice nurses and every other allied health professional in between, clinicians are experts at translational research. As a clinician, you can readily bring data to real world clinical practice. This experience resonates … [Read more...]
Transitioning From Commercial to Medical
Long before I became a MSL, I was a primary care pharmaceutical sales representative. As I reflect on the time when I worked in sales, many words come to mind describing that time: rewarding, challenging, inspiring, frustrating, front-line, multi-faceted, and demanding. The time I spent working in sales afforded me the opportunity to learn much about the industry and … [Read more...]
Feedback: The Courage to Grow
feedback noun Feed · back | \ ˈfēd-ˌbak\Definition of feedbackthe transmission of evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source Truth be told, we are not comfortable with difficult conversations.We don't know how to receive and give feedback in order to get things done. Maybe because in … [Read more...]
From the Minds of the Innocent: What is a MSL?
The MSL role was first established by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in 1967. The MSL profession has grown exponentially over the years, and according to a 2018 global MSL Society survey, 68% of managers plan to expand the size of their MSL teams within the next two years. Having an official day, March 27, dedicated to MSLs is a unique way to recognize the profession, and raise … [Read more...]
Letter from the Editor
March 2020, As we all navigate uncertainty and dramatic changes in our personal and professional lives in light of an unprecedented worldwide pandemic, we are reminded that MSLs are resilient, flexible, adaptable and ever service oriented! No matter what challenges we face, we rise to every occasion and deliver value. 2020 has started with such a force to be reckoned … [Read more...]
MSL and CRA: A Responsibility Model for the Efficiency of Clinical Research and Clinical Trials
The pharmaceutical industry has been evolving and changing along the years, as has the way in which clinical trials are planned and executed. Clinical Development went from a fully inhouse clinical trials handling model, where each company had its own team of clinical operations to execute those trials, to a completely outsourced model where none of the members of the team were … [Read more...]
Job Search Checklist For Aspiring MSLs, Part 1
What does it take to land a role as a MSL? Breaking into industry with your first MSL role requires a tremendous amount of effort and persistence. More importantly, it requires patience. Stay positive and focused. This article is your guide based on my experience, opinions, and best practices for positioning you as an attractive candidate for a MSL career. WHY do you … [Read more...]
The Launch of the First-Ever Board Certification for Medical Science Liaisons and MSL leaders – What is it and What it Means for the Global MSL Profession
On February 24, 2020 The Medical Science Liaison Society launched the first-ever professional board certification for Medical Science Liaisons (MSL) and MSL leaders. The Medical Science Liaison - Board Certification (MSL-BC®) program, which has been in development for the last several years, is an effort to set industry recognized standards for the MSL profession. One of the … [Read more...]
MSL Competency Index – Part 1: How are MSLs Chosen, Evaluated and Promoted?
As an experienced hiring director of MSLs with a solid commitment to MSL development that aims for excellence and effectiveness, I have been asked on many occasions how one can get into a first MSL role and once there, how they can be promoted to the next MSL level. Getting into a new MSL position may feel like trying to join a secret society, however the only secret you need … [Read more...]
Three to Succeed
Everyone is in a hurry as the work pace propels us ever faster! While we may think we have all we need to know to do our MSL or leadership positions, I can attest to the continuous need for learning no matter what stage you are at in your career journey! Each edition, we plan to share three new ideas or tools to help MSLs and leaders aim for excellence! I hope you find these … [Read more...]
Go Beyond Interview Tips- Deploy an MSL Interview Theme
There are many interview and meeting tips such as start with a firm handshake and good eye contact, bring copies of your resume or even “Don’t forget to wear matching socks” my favorite from the movie “A Few Good Men”. These types of tips can be valuable but they are one-offs, scattered across the interaction with no unifying principle or theme to align them together. Most … [Read more...]
Is Self-Reported MSL Salary Data Credible or Valuable?
The 2019 MSL Salary & Compensation survey was recently published in December, 2019 and it was the 6th annual global survey conducted by the MSL Society. Like previous years, the primary purpose of the survey was to gain insights into current global MSL salary and compensation levels across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, and other healthcare companies that … [Read more...]
Who Are Medical Science Liaisons?
Since being first established by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in 1967, Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) have become increasingly more important to the success of the companies that employ them. As a result, the MSL profession has grown exponentially over the last several years, and according to a 2018 global survey conducted by the MSL Society, 68% of managers plan to expand the size … [Read more...]
Unprecedented Times
MSLs chose the healthcare, medical device and pharmaceutical industries because they are individuals who genuinely care about helping people and being with people. We are watching our KOLs both fighting the front lines on this war against Covid19 and having to temporarily close down practices during these unprecedented times. We understand that they are juggling kids at home, … [Read more...]
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