The medical sales industry is becoming a progressive field in the realm of healthcare, and medical device representatives are the focal point of it. They serve a crucial role in narrowing the gap between device manufacturers and healthcare professionals. These skillful representatives have a keen understanding of the devices coupled with an ability to satisfy their customers.
If you have an urge to foster a positive impact in the field of medicine coupled with an inclination towards sales, becoming a medical device representative can be the right job for you. In this blog, we will see how medical device representatives are positively changing the dynamics of healthcare.
What are medical devices?
Medical device is an umbrella term for an infinite range of devices required in hospitals and laboratories. They are used to provide diagnoses, treat medical conditions, and perform different procedures on patients.
Medical devices function on a physical level, in contrast to pharmaceuticals that primarily act through pharmacological, metabolic, or immunological mechanisms. They can include minor equipment like syringes and gloves as well as heavy technological machinery such as MRI detectors.
Examples:
- Single-use devices (i.e. syringes, catheters)
- Implantable devices (i.e. hip prothesis, pacemakers)
- Imaging devices (i.e. ultrasound devices and CT scanners)
- Medical equipment (i.e. anesthesia machines, patient monitors, dialysis machines)
- Software (i.e. computer aided diagnostics)
- In-vitro diagnostics (i.e. glucometers, HIV tests)
- Personal hygiene equipment (i.e. masks, headcovers, gowns, gloves)
- Surgical and laboratory instruments (i.e. scissors, test tubes)
The essential attributes of a medical device representative:
This is a career that requires a person to be highly dedicated and skilled. A huge number of healthcare professionals make important decisions by trusting the word of a device representative. It is therefore important for them to take responsibility for their actions and know what they are doing. Some key attributes that a medical device representative must possess include:
- Complete knowledge of the product:
Before recommending or selling a medical device, the representative must have a clear and profound understanding of the product. An authentic medical device representative is more of a product expert. They must be aware of all the delicate details about the product for example; how it operates, its pros and cons, its complications and limitations, etc. While having the proper information about the product, the representatives can guide their customers and address their queries more proficiently.
- Strong communication skills:
Being a sales representative in any field is all about good communication skills. A medical device representative must be able to guide, persuade, and satisfy their customers without hesitation. This is not possible unless they have excellent verbal and written communication strategies planned to reach the desired goal.
- Ethical conduct:
Since the lives of thousands of people would depend on the efficiency of a medical device in critical circumstances, a medical device representative should be truthful and ethically sound. Their dealings should be highly transparent and compliant with industrial regulatory regulations.
- Teamwork:
Being the people who bridge the gaps between various departments, medical device representatives should be vigilant with teamwork. They need to work in collaboration with the healthcare industry and the device industry to build a seamless network of growth and betterment.
- Customer-centric approach:
The end goal of a successful medical device sales deal should be customer satisfaction. By prioritizing the patient’s well-being, a medical sales representative can positively impact the healthcare industry and participate in a greater good.
- Perseverance:
Achieving success in the healthcare sector frequently demands perseverance. Medical device representatives face a range of obstacles, including tough market conditions and financial limitations. An exceptional representative demonstrates tenacity by persisting through challenges and setbacks to reach their objectives. The combination of persistence and resilience is a recipe for success.
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Key responsibilities of a medical device representatives:
- Schedule meetings with potential customers. These might include medical professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or hospital management
- Align the sales goals with that of the customer’s needs and satisfaction
- Make presentations referring to different properties of a product
- Manage budgets as per the product’s specifications and demands
- Form a healthy working environment by building trust and respect with all prospective customers
- Remain in close contact with product manufacturers and make sure they are providing quality products
- Maintain records of customer details
- Build a strong clientele by making new customers and keeping the previous ones satisfied
- Plan timetables and meet target deadlines
- Meet sales targets and plan to exceed them in future
- Be punctual in meetings
- Be well-informed about the technological advancements in the medical industry and act accordingly
- Monitor competitor activity
- Stay abreast of the activities of health services in a particular area.
Reasons to choose medical sales as a career:
- Making a positive impact in the healthcare industry
- Competitive salary packages
- Continuous learning
- Alliance with technological innovations
- Flexible working hours
- Opportunities of working abroad
Qualifications required:
Although this career is open to all graduates, having a degree in a relevant field can aid you in your daily tasks as a medical device representative. Some examples of such fields are biotechnology, pharmacy, life sciences, dentistry, and nursing. Having an educational background in finance, sales and marketing is also very benefitting when pursuing this career.
A few things to expect as a medical device representative:
It is true that most of the work requires to be done in your office or home but there still might be a frequent need to travel. A medical device representative must be prepared to incorporate frequent visits to and from the clients in their daily schedules. Also, a representative must be well-dressed to fit the professional setting criterion.
Key takeaways:
The world is on the verge of technological growth, and it has uprooted the healthcare industry. Today, a medical setting cannot be considered professional or even complete without the presence of advanced medical devices.
This advancement has opened new doors of opportunities for medical device representatives. It is an impactful yet rewarding job to opt for when you are interested in making a productive impact in society. If you are looking for top-rated healthcare jobs near you, this is the right place for you.
