1. Working in Medical Communications Rob Pilbrow, Editorial Services Director Chloe Page, Account Manager

2. Today Medical Communications – Porterhouse Medical – What we do – Careers – Employee profiles – Current opportunities at Porterhouse – Further information Questions

3. Porterhouse Medical: What we do

4. We are Porterhouse Medical We are a full-service medical communications agency, based in Reading, Berkshire Established in 2002 Over 1,400 projects in medical communications

5. What is medical communications? Medical communications agencies provide consultancy services to the pharmaceutical industry to raise healthcare professionals’ awareness of medicines through the delivery of educational programmes We are not…. Health journalists Scientific publishers “Ghost-writers”!

6. Editorial services Health Economics Design Multimedia KOL activities Events Strategy

7. Materials Training manuals Meeting reports Newsletters Patient materials Slide kits Briefing documents Journal article summaries Opinion pieces Publications Review papers iPad applications Cost models and health economics

11. Events Educational meetings Advisory boards Satellite symposia International congresses

12. Our clients

13. Our teams

14. Career paths at Porterhouse

15. Medical writing

16. My story Grew up in Chester 1982–2000 BSc Biochemistry 2001–2004 MPhil Molecular Cell Biology 2004–2005 Started at Porterhouse 2005 MSc Health Economics and Health Policy 2010–2013

17. Medical writing The editorial team is built around medical writers, who: develop the content of our materials produce copy that is clear, concise and scientifically accurate write appropriately for the audience – healthcare professionals, patients, payers or pharmaceutical company employees In addition, our talented, creative designers produce eye-catching artwork to showcase our award-winning medical writing.

18. Important skills for a medical writer Enjoys writing! Attention to detail Good understanding of science, and ability to communicate that knowledge to different audiences Motivated, enthusiastic individual Good self-organisation skills Problem-solving attitude Excellent researcher

19. Typical day for a medical writer (09.00–17.30) Check emails – answer urgent queries Write a quick plan for the day – prioritise tasks Writing Internal discussions about ongoing projects – full editorial meeting each week Writing Brainstorm for an upcoming pitch or project Research and literature searches And…..writing!

20. Account management

21. My story Grew up in Bucks BSc Human Biology MSc in Dietetics Left MSc in Dietetics! Started at Porterhouse 1990–20092009–201220122013

22. My story Joined Porterhouse in March 2013 as an account executive Progressed to an account manager by March 2014 I now work across a range of projects with UK and international clients 22

23. Account management The client services team is built around our account managers, who: ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and are aligned with clients’ strategic objectives take the lead on the organisation of events and meetings manage and grow existing business develop future opportunities by building strong working relationships with our clients

24. Important skills for an account executive Good communicator and excellent listener Excellent ‘people skills’ Personable, likeable, diplomatic individual Attention to detail Systematic, organised approach to work Problem-solving attitude Initiative

25. Typical day for an account executive (09.00–17.30) Check emails – answer urgent queries Write a quick plan for the day – prioritise tasks Arrange travel or venue for upcoming meeting Attend internal meeting about ongoing projects Update client about ongoing projects – update on progress, ideas for future projects Invite healthcare professionals to forthcoming meeting Complete a proposal for client’s consideration

26. Rewards of medical communications Being at the forefront of medical science Opportunity to be creative Producing materials that benefit patient care Being part of a fast-growing, successful company Project completion – seeing the end product! International travel

27. Challenges of medical communications Working within the UK (ABPI) and international codes of compliance – Ensures high standards within the pharmaceutical industry Meeting clients’ expectations Dealing with challenging clients! Juggling projects Tight deadlines

28. Many other areas in which to specialise in future Editing/proof reading Events Strategy Health economics/ market access Business development

29. So…how to get into medical communications?

30. What skills do you need? Specific medical communications experience is not required! A biosciences/biomedical/life-science degree – Required for medical writers – Advantageous for account management Postgraduate qualifications can be an advantage (but are not always required) Some companies offer internships which can be a good way to get some experience in the industry

31. Where to look for jobs Recruitment agencies – Many specialise in medical or healthcare communications and/or the pharmaceutical industry Newspaper adverts Industry websites – E.g. Pharmafile, Pharmatimes, PMLiVE, Medcomms Networking Direct to agencies

32. The application process Every company is different! But it could include… – Off-site writing test – Telephone interview – Formal interview – Writing test or presentation on the day

33. Employee profiles

34. Rachael Cartlidge Medical Writer University of Birmingham BSc, Biosciences and genetics Currently completing a PhD in cancer sciences Joined Porterhouse: April 2014 Projects at Porterhouse: I mainly work on ophthalmology based projects, although I have also worked on projects in both oncology and hematology Projects I have worked on include: – Creating presentations for major conferences – Designing apps – Writing internal briefing documents – Providing editorial support for publications

35. Rachael’s thoughts on the role… My expectations of the role were: – I wanted to be able to use my scientific knowledge but I also wanted more variety in the subject areas I worked on – I expected to specialise in my degree area, and to mainly be writing complex scientific documents How the job has differed: – There is a wide variety to the type of projects I work on; some are very scientific, others are much more creative – I work on a variety of disease areas – I attend conferences; I have the opportunity to travel to meetings all over the world, and to meet people at the top of their field Advice for prospective medical writers: – Be prepared to get to grips with new subjects very quickly – Research the pharmaceutical industry: medical writers need to know the science but also understand the needs of their clients

36. Francesca Worthington Account Manager University of Birmingham BSc Sport and Exercise Science, 2:1 Joined Porterhouse: May 2013 Projects at Porterhouse: Global congresses (London, Tokyo, Hamburg) Experts exchange meetings (Tokyo, Hamburg) Regional, National and Global Advisory Boards Patient materials Consensus paper Regional and National educational meetings

37. Francesca’s thoughts on the role… My expectations of the role were: – As my first job within the industry I didn’t know what to expect! How the job has differed: – More responsibility and leadership on projects – International travel – Lots of varied projects Advice for prospective account executives: – Be organised! – Get stuck in and be proactive – It’s much better to ask someone if you’re unsure – Try to learn from every opportunity

38. Current opportunities at Porterhouse

39. 3-month full-time paid internship For a bright, enthusiastic life-science graduate with a passion for science and communication Benefits: – Opportunity to experience first-hand the workings of a successful medical communications agency – Working with both the editorial and account management teams – Chance to gain knowledge of some industry-specific tools and processes – Receipt of feedback on skills from senior members of staff Closing date: Ongoing Email careers@porterhouse.biz for more information!careers@porterhouse.biz

40. Quotes from previous interns The internship was fantastic for me. I believe I have developed invaluable employability skills whilst working with great people. The relaxed environment has been very easy to work in and said work has been challenging and rewarding. Following the internship, I feel that I have a very good understanding of medical communications. It has been a great learning experience. I received excellent support from my manager, who was very helpful in explaining things that I did not understand. Everyone in the office has been more than happy to help and explain things. It's been great working in an office of friendly, hard-working and dedicated people.

41. Further information Web resources: – http://www.medcommsnetworking.co.uk/startingout/ http://www.medcommsnetworking.co.uk/startingout/ – http://www.nextmedcommsjob.com/ http://www.nextmedcommsjob.com/ Porterhouse Medical Ltd – www.porterhouse.biz www.porterhouse.biz – Contact: careers@porterhouse.biz or rob@porterhouse.biz or chloe@porterhouse.bizcareers@porterhouse.bizrob@porterhouse.biz chloe@porterhouse.biz

42. Questions?