Medical Sales Representative

Typical Salary

£19,000 To £60,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 a week

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How To Become a Medical Sales Representative

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
applying directly
a graduate training scheme

College / University

You can get into this career by doing a degree in:

biology
pharmacy
biomedical sciences
medical engineering

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by completing an advanced apprenticeship in sales, or a business-to-business sales professional degree apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly for jobs. Employers will look for people with an understanding of what medical sales involves and have experience in nursing, healthcare, sales or marketing.

If you do not have a science or healthcare background, you'll need a lot of sales experience and the ability to learn about medicines and therapies in detail. An A level or equivalent in biology, general science, or health and social care, may be an advantage for this.

Other Routes

You may be able to join a medical sales company on a graduate training scheme if you have a degree. A science degree is very useful but employers will accept other subjects if you have A levels in science and a flair for sales.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to sell products and services
customer service skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to work well with others
persistence and determination
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
ambition and a desire to succeed
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

arranging appointments to see existing clients and ‘cold call’ new contacts
making presentations and persuading clients to use or buy your company’s products
building strong relationships with medical staff
providing an after-sales service
planning work schedules
meeting sales targets
organising and attending medical conferences
checking competitors’ products and prices
keeping records and reporting back to head office

Working Environment

You could work in an office or from home.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in medical sales from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

have a full driving licence

All medical sales representatives will need to take The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Medical Representatives Exam within 1 year of beginning employment, and pass all units within 2 years.