Published by Lookforzebras
Q I’m a primary care physician working in a traditional outpatient role, but I want to transition to a non-clinical career, ideally in pharma. The problem is, everyone still sees me as a PCP—even when I meet new people, I’m introduced that way, and my LinkedIn reinforces it. Transitioning to a Non-Clinical Career feels challenging because I’m not sure how to reposition myself. I’m open to making an abrupt switch to a permanent job or starting with consulting or part-time work, but I feel stuck. How can I change how others see me and position myself for a non-clinical role?
I’m not sure how to start demonstrating that I’m interested in a pharma job. If I mention that I want to get a job in pharma, people always ask, ‘What are you going to do?’ It’s uncomfortable when I have to say, ‘I’m really not sure’ or ‘I don’t have experience in pharma.’ I feel like I need to overcome this, or I’ll stay a PCP forever. What can I say to people to be persuasive about my desire to make the change while transitioning to a non-clinical career?
A We tend to get pigeonholed when we’ve been doing a certain job for a long time or have become known for being good at something in our companies or our fields. Great news, though – not only can you overcome this, you can actually use it to your advantage.
Be sure you’re not viewing yourself as primarily a PCP anymore. Your own mindset will impact how other people are viewing you. Convince yourself (if you haven’t already) that your experience and knowledge makes you a great candidate for a clinical trial monitor position, or a medical director position in medical affairs, or whatever role you feel you’d be most happy in. You can do this by writing down a list of your skills, and a list of skills needed in the new role, and cross-walking them.
For example, a pharma medical director needs to provide a clinical perspective and expertise in the therapeutic application of the company’s product. Having treated countless patients in the outpatient setting, you likely have a strong awareness of which drugs work best.
Having experience in patient care, you recognize which treatments work best for the diseases you commonly manage. You are aware of the side effects and how patients typically respond to them. Additionally, you understand their impact on the disease.
One more example. A medical director might need to identify and develop relationships with key opinion leaders within a therapeutic area. As a primary care physician, you’ve probably done enough CME, gone to enough conferences, and read enough journal articles.
You’re aware of certain names that seem to always pop up for a certain disease. Or, you’d at least have the skills to do a little bit of research. You could identify some of the big names in that area by looking at their publications and academic titles. This can help you understand who the key experts are.
You can also give some thought to how you present yourself to others in conversation.
If you start by saying, “I’m a PCP, but…,” people will always see you as a PCP first. Instead, say, “I’m a physician with eight years of experience in patient care and am transitioning to drug development.”
If this feels too aggressive before landing your first pharma role, try this: “I currently work in primary care. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a keen interest in drug safety…”
Identify the aspects of your primary care practice that sparked your interest in the pharmaceutical industry. These might be:
- Observing your patients benefit from newly approved drugs
- Referring eligible patients to clinical trials
- Monitoring for and managing side effects of medications
- Staying up-to-date on advances in primary care
If people strongly see you as a PCP, use that perception to your advantage. It likely means they recognize your expertise and trust your abilities as a physician. This confidence can extend beyond clinical practice and into other professional roles, making it a valuable asset when transitioning to a non-clinical career.
By highlighting your problem-solving skills and leadership experience, you can showcase your ability to adapt. Additionally, emphasizing your patient-centered approach can help you stand out in the job market. This can position you as a strong candidate for roles in pharma, healthcare consulting, or medical affairs.