How to Shine as a Technical Medical Writer

Physician NonClinical Careers with John Jurica

Dr. Kaci Durbin is a medical writer and board-certified obstetrician. She currently works as a regulatory writer for a contract research organization (CRO). In her spare time, Kaci also provides freelance medical writing, focusing on continuing medical education (CME) materials and needs assessments.

Kaci was employed at a private practice for 5 years and then transitioned into OB hospitalist work. She obtained an MBA, believing she would move into a hospital leadership position. But her experiences with management did not support her initial assumptions about the career.

Kaci explored many nonclinical careers on the way to medical writing. In addition to healthcare administration, she performed chart reviews for insurance companies, dabbled in the disability arena, and served as a medical consultant.

She discovered medical writing, joined the AMWA, took a writing course, and began her part-time freelance medical writing career. Initially, she was writing a variety of materials including CME enduring materials, needs assessments, manuscripts, and presentations.

Then she began working as an independent contractor for a CRO. She now works there as a full-time technical medical writer focusing on regulatory documents.

Check out our show notes at nonclinicalphysicians.com/technical-medical-writer for all of the links mentioned in today's episode.

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