Medical writers, often called health writers and editors, analyze and interpret complex medical issues in order to present them in understandable and concise publications such as newspaper health columns, journal articles, brochures, radio and television scripts, and instruction manuals.
Medical writers can spend their time writing articles for newsletters and journals or writing scripts for television or radio advertisements or assisting with medical textbooks and educational courses. Medical writers work for publishing companies, hospitals, academic institutions, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment companies, advertising agencies, and radio and television stations.
Education: 4 years
Patient Interaction: Low
Physical Activity: Low
Salary: $59,450
Job Growth: Low
Health Science Librarian (HSL)
Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)
High school students should take classes in biology, chemistry, math, and English. Medical writers need to know the same terminology as health providers. Many employers prefer hiring a medical writer who has at least a bachelor’s degree in any type of science, but are willing to hire a graduate with a degree in journalism or English who has a minor in the science field or has taken several science courses.
Alverno College
Beloit College
Cardinal Stritch University
Carroll University
Carthage College
Concordia University
Edgewood College
Lakeland College
Lawrence University
Marian University
Marquette University
Mount Mary College
Northland College
Ripon College
Silver Lake College
St. Norbert College
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin – Parkside
University of Wisconsin – Platteville
University of Wisconsin – River Falls
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin – Stout
University of Wisconsin – Superior
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Viterbo University
Wisconsin Lutheran College
American Medical Writers’ Association
30 West Gude Drive, Suite 525
Rockville, MD, 20850-4347
240/238-0940
www.amwa.org
Health and Science Communications Assoc.
PO Box 31323
Omaha, NE, 68132
402/915-5373
hesca.net/
National Association of Science Writers
PO Box 7905
Berkeley, CA, 94707
510/647-9500
www.nasw.org
Number Employed in 2012 (Wisconsin): 1,240
Expected Employment in 2022 (Wisconsin): 1,320
Percent Employment Growth (2012-2022): 6%
Expected Annual Openings: 50
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $59,450
Salary information is located at Career One Stop
Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.
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