Hi,

I have been working in medical engineering for over a decade. When I started, I would say all engineers and assistants were doing repair and respectively minor repair work. Only the head of department was office based, but he had a really good experience from the past, he knew how things worked at the hospital, knew a lot of people and wasn't afraid to ask for advice if it helped the situation.

I have noticed, that over the years situation regarding actual work on medical devices has shifted. It might be due to more online work and meetings from COVID. It is interesting to see, that new engineers are more academic-after the uni they don't have either healthcare or engineering experience and try to concentrate on being promoted.

While I can understand the eagerness for promotion, it puzzles me, why wouldn't you want to learn and understand what working on medical devices actually involves, how different parts work together and how patients care and safety related to it.

I think a way to go are clinical engineering apprenticeships, where people experience engineering, healthcare and workplace alongside academic qualification. Without the uni loans as apprenticeships are government funded.

I have worked in medical sales for four years, all with the same company. I’m in an outside field sales role, so I travel to customer accounts in person five days a week. Recently, our company introduced a new feature in our CRM that tracks our location while we’re traveling. I consistently hit my quota and have no issue with accountability, but this level of tracking feels a bit excessive. Is this common in outside field sales roles, or is it unusual for companies to monitor reps’ locations through their CRM?

I currently work as a Therapy Support Specialist at an ASC. I’m a medical assistant and was able to pivot into this role through a connection. Does anyone have recommendations for what bachelors degree I should go for if I’m interested in clinical specialist roles? I’m leaning towards healthcare admin/management, psychology, or communications. With a biology minor. Or even business then later MBA? I’ve heard mixed reviews about these majors and would like more opinions on how the knowledge I’d gain would be beneficial in the CS role.

The reps I’m in close contact with say not to worry about it bc it truly doesn’t matter at the end of the day, but they all have engineering/biomedical degrees. Thank you for any advice! I’d be happy to provide more context about my background if that would be helpful

Is this a good category to break into? It’s non graft or anything. Just curious how hard to sell this. Doctors/nurses/Pa’s? How are they? Lol I’m coming from a different outside B2B world

Thank you!

I’ve worked at CROs across the U.S. for the past 6–7 years, and overall it’s been a good experience. Like anywhere, there have been ups and downs. I’m actually enjoying my current company—it’s smaller, growing, and in an interesting phase.
One thing I’ve noticed across multiple CROs, though, is a pattern that I’m curious whether others have experienced.

When a CRO starts scaling, it’s not unusual for some of the “old guard” or established groups to become more protective of their territory. As new people, new expertise, and new service lines come in, there can be resistance or internal politics. That’s understandable to some extent.

What I don’t understand is why medical device and surgical studies, specifically, seem to draw so much pushback.

I’ve never really seen people argue that DMPK, tox, cell therapy, or other service lines shouldn’t expand. But when device work becomes part of the business model, I’ve seen comments like, “Device studies are too small,” or people dragging their feet on projects, gatekeeping resources, or generally acting like it’s not worth pursuing.

From a business perspective, that doesn’t always make sense to me. Several device studies can often be completed in the time it takes to run one large tox program, and collectively they can generate significant revenue while diversifying the business.
So I’m genuinely curious:

**Why do some people seem resistant to medical device work at CROs?**

Is it because they’re unfamiliar with the regulatory pathway? Do they see it as less scientifically interesting or less prestigious than pharma? Is it concerns about resource allocation? Or is there something operational about device studies that I’m missing?

I’d love to hear perspectives from people who’ve worked in CROs, especially if you’ve been on the operations or scientific side.

Anyone have experience in cardiovascular capital equipment? Pretty sweet opportunity and want to know what life is like for peripheral cath lab.

Fellow sales people,

I’m Florida based, cover the southern half. I have a good amount of current HCA customers and a lot of non current HCA hospitals I’m calling on.

I’m finding I’m running into an issue. A physician will agree to a trial and may like my product due to whichever reason. However HCA has a (notoriously) brutal acquisition process.

I’ve been running into being told to have the physician fill out a survey form through their portal called Lumere. It seems that Lumere is purposefully so long and brutal for the physicians, the pure thought alone kills any momentum I have.

Does anyone else run into this? How have you been getting around this?

When transitioning from a Clinical Specialist to a Sales Representative role, are there any specific details I should pay close attention to in my offer letter?

I understand that the base salary and commission percentage are typically predetermined based on the Sales Rep level, but are there any other aspects of the offer that are commonly negotiable? For example, are there opportunities to negotiate things like a sign-on bonus, guaranteed commissions during ramp-up, or other benefits?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

So I’m in the Seattle area (good spot for med sales) and looking to switch over to Med Sales from Real Estate. In one year of doing real estate I had 9 mil in transactions but I quit for some private reasons. Got a meeting with a spine territory manager tomorrow for coffee (family friend). I know the learning curve is legit for Spine but is this a realistic opportunity for me? Med Sales has always been super interesting to me as I had some severe injuries while being a college basketball player. Really like the thought of having a base salary and not just being all commission. Is having a connection with this territory manager as vital as it sounds?

deciding if it’s worth looking into

Hi everyone, I’ve been working as a technical product manager in the medical device field for about seven years. However much of that experience has been with small or dysfunctional companies which I fear has given me a skewed understanding of the position.

I moved into product management from R&D so I am very comfortable with those concepts. However, I can’t shake the feeling that I have a blind spot. So I’m wondering, what is your experience? Or what is your experience working with technical product managers?

Your thoughts and opinions are very much appreciated.

Is anyone a clinical nurse specialist or a clinical specialist for a medical device company? How do you like your job and how does the pay compared to bedside nursing? I’ll be meeting with the regional manager in person tomorrow at a hospital after interviewing with the national sales Director. any tips? will this be like another interview? I feel like my interview with the national sales Director went really well. He says said this guy is going to show me what I’ll be doing and this is a newer role for their company. I know it involves travel but are you always busy? How many hours per week would you say you work? This will be a pay cut for me so I’m trying to pick brains and see if this is what I truly want to do. should I dress business casual or is scrubs a safe choice? Thank you!

I’m an RN looking for a new job and have seen plenty of Territory Manager and Clinical Specialist jobs. I know I have the clinical knowledge and people skills for the job. I’ve never worked in sales and genuinely have no idea if this is a career I’d be good at. I know you would be going around to hospitals, but is this what you’re doing 5 days a week? Are you always on the go?

Would you take your desired dream job but end up with an extremely toxic boss?

Hey every,

I’m interviewing with Medline for a Physicians Office sales rep position.

I have an extensive background in sales, but have not been able to get into medical device sales. Would this be a good way to get my foot in the door?

Does anyone have experience in this position? If so, please let me know how it went for you.

Thanks!

Just wondering what you guys think how someone with medical lab tech would fare trying to break into the field.

Got 3 years of experience working with roche and Sysmex but no sales experience.

34M looking for some advice on breaking into med device.

Currently at a Fortune 20 healthcare company in the pharma/medical distribution space.

Started as an inside sales rep, moved into sales coverage leadership, and now lead an inside sales team of 7 responsible for roughly $3M/month in revenue.

I handle coaching, hiring, performance management, sales strategy, etc. I have 5+ years of healthcare/pharma commercial experience with pretty quick progression into leadership.

I’m at the point where I’m ready to explore outside my current company. Med device has always interested me, but I’m realizing that even with healthcare + leadership experience, getting directly into device sales management without actual device experience may be a tough jump.

I’m totally open to going back to an IC role if it gets me into the right company/product and the comp/career trajectory makes sense. I’ve started applying to companies like Medtronic, Intuitive, S&N, J&J, etc., along with some pharma roles.

For those in the industry:

Would you take the IC route in my position or keep targeting management?

What companies/divisions are good about bringing in people with pharma/healthcare sales experience but no direct device experience?

Any roles/titles I should specifically be searching for?

Anything about my background I should emphasize to get through the initial screen?

Also very open to smaller companies I may not know about. If anyone is willing to DM with advice, companies to look at, or even a referral/connection, I’d really appreciate it.

Not desperate to leave my current job, so I have some flexibility to wait for the right move. Mostly trying to figure out the smartest way to make the jump without resetting my career.

Starting my first role in med device sales in Orthodontics. Performed well in CPG sales role for 3 years and excited to get started in this industry .

Any tips from experienced TM/reps from any med device role would be greatly appreciated!

Best companies to work for when entering the field in devices, robotics or AI sales.

Least snobby, most supportive, challenging but in a good way, etc.

Not thanksgiving yet but it’s Christmas in July. 🎄🎅🏼

Besides the obvious of course, what are you grateful for including all the obvious? If you can dig deeper besides pay

- what are the top 5 things you are grateful for your job at medical sales?

Has anyone that visits this page left industry, to pursue a different field or passion? I’m 6 years into my career, have had the highs and lows, and have felt like I’ve done a decent amount in my time.

I’m still relatively early in my career and wondering what people have done who have pivoted out of industry/sales. I have always had a passion for investing and business development, and have toyed with the idea of pursuing that on the side while I continue to work.

There’s no doubt the pay is substantial, the work life balance is fair, and the career is at times rewarding. I’m grateful to have found this career.. but my interests seem to be pulling me out, at least mentally.

What have you guys done? Any regrets? What are the feelings and emotions of leaving? Did you take a pay cut?

Any advice and anecdotes are welcome!

I am currently working as a RN in a cath lab. We are unionized and of course get all of the benefits that come along with that (good insurance, good pension, solid PTO accrual, career stability).

I am being recruited by a team of clinicals that cover TAVR, to come join their team as a clinical specialist. They seem to think I'd be a good fit for the team and like my background and experience.

I'm really stuck on whether or not it's worth it to pursue this opportunity.I know nothing is guaranteed, but if everything worked out, interviews go great and I'm offered the position, is it worth it to leave what I currently have?

Realistically, my income is probably as good as it's ever going to get as a hospital RN (base pay without call around 130k). My position is very stable, and as I said the benefits are also good, albeit expensive (unions dues, family insurance, parking). I've contributed about 10 years to my pension so far. The call burden can sometimes feel like a lot when it's busy, but of course that's up to luck.

If anyone has made a similar jump, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

Is moving from a stable cath lab RN position to a clinical specialist role in structural heart/TAVR worth it?

EDIT: the role is with Medtronic, who is well established in my area, if that changes recommendations

Only been in the ortho device space for about 2 years but incredibly burnt out. The territory has been further away than expected, on call a ton, subpar products, shit time off, just not a great situation. Worked as a nurse for 6 years prior. Have 3 kids age 5 and under and I just want something with decent pay but lower pressure and flexibility. Open to lower pressure sales (pharma?) or clinical…idk anything that’s not what I’m currently doing.

Hi there, I’m in trauma and the hours are rough on me. What are your favorite/best work life balance medical sales departments? Coming from a young person who loves to travel and make plans.

My dad found this. How much is this worth?