r/MedicalDevices

Hey there. I'm an experienced regulatory affairs consultant, over 15 years in medical devices with the last 8 years at a globally renowned consultancy. I've supported companies across a range of device types and classes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. My experience is primarily in EU CE marking and US FDA but also have global market access expertise. I'd be very interested to now hear from early stage start ups or solo entrepreneurs looking for regulatory advice or commercialisation strategy, and provide some guidance where I can. This would be free but isn't totally altruistic, as I'm hoping to make a lateral shift into the start up advisory space and am trying get a better idea of the types of questions and challenges you have, so this could potentially be beneficial for both of us! Thanks in advance.

Hello all, I am an MD (graduated med school in 2023) and i’m looking to leave the clinical work setting. How realistic would a career in this field be for someone with a medical degree but no work experience in medical devices?

Thank you all in advance

Something I’ve been noticing more and more in the MedTech industry lately:

The gap between where QMS software is going… and where many companies still are operationally… feels enormous.

On one side, eQMS vendors keep building more advanced systems every year:

AI-assisted workflows

connected traceability

change impact analysis

smart risk linking

Technical File intelligence

automated relationships between records

But at the same time, many companies are still trying to solve much more basic operational problems:

“How do we control document revisions?”
“How do approvals work?”
“How do we stop obsolete procedures from being used?”
“How do we migrate away from paper?”
“How do eSignatures actually work in practice?”

And honestly, I don’t even mean that critically.

Most medical device companies are not trying to become QMS experts.
They’re trying to develop a device while dealing with audits, submissions, suppliers, manufacturing issues, funding pressure, timelines, and everything else happening at the same time.

So from the vendor perspective, the future seems obvious.

From the customer perspective, implementing a new eQMS often feels like adding another layer of operational overload onto an already overloaded team.

Feels like there’s a real maturity gap in the industry right now.

Not because companies are “behind”.

But because QMS technology evolved faster than many organizations could realistically absorb it.

Anyone else seeing the same thing lately, especially in companies moving from paper or hybrid systems?

Sometimes it feels like the industry is trying to absorb 10 years of QMS evolution all at once.

I’m new to the medical device industry. I’ve worked in allied health for the past 10 years and currently have no desire to start a clinic. I’ve felt limited in my career options and am looking for a change.

I have been delaying entry into the medical device field, as I was told an orthopaedic pathway was the best route. However, after speaking with people in the industry, I’ve realised that the on-call requirements and irregular hours involved in theatre-based roles are not appealing to me.

I’m now interested in exploring other opportunities within the medical device industry that are high ticket and that do not involve operating theatre work.

Any suggestions.

Currently in Australia

For those who are an established rep, when they reach out to you, what are you looking for them? What questions do you expect from them?

Hi all,

I have just gotten through a 3rd round interview with Medline. I have always worked with Medline for distribution. They say it’s a $75k base and $110k guaranteed minimum first year. I know bonus can be big if you hit your number from the reps I know. I know they have changed some comp plans recently but wanted to see what people have to say realistically money wise. I have seen the range on other sites be $100-$500k.

Hi! I’ve been doing a lot of research into med sales recently and trying to break in. I had a doctors appointment and was talking to a couple of the hospital staff about what they knew, and they said that a lot of hospitals don’t even let reps hand out samples or come in anymore.

Is this something that is prevalent in the industry or a general reflection of where things are going? Would love insight from any reps

I went through 3 rounds of interviews for a trauma sales position. It went fast, they were efficient and when I didn’t get the job and moved onto other candidates (bummer) they sent a pretty decent email.

My point in writing this is I feel like Stryker gets a lot of hate on here and it always feels like they are aooo intense and sooo terrible. The people I dealt with were great and easy to talk to. I do wish they would give more feedback other than “lots of strong candidates in the pool”.

Anyway here’s to the next attempt in the future 🤙🏻

A loved one was let go at Abbott recently but with 6 weeks pay. The territory seems to have been eliminated but they were fired, not laid off. So technically can't be rehired.

But if the territory was eliminated and the company wanted to save money.....

What will Abbott disclose to future employers? I know the dates worked but will rehire eligibility be disclosed?

I’m not sure if medical sales is the right path for me, and I’d appreciate some honest advice from people who’ve made a similar transition.

I’m currently working as a physiotherapist and have been seriously reflecting on my long-term career direction over the past few months. A lot of my frustration comes from feeling limited in terms of growth, income ceiling, and honestly not finding much passion in the day-to-day clinical work anymore. I find a lot of it repetitive, and the physical demands of the job haven’t helped either, especially since I’ve been dealing with ongoing shoulder pain myself.

That said, there are aspects of the profession I do enjoy. I’ve always liked the relationship-building side of physio and the “selling” aspect of treatment plans, educating patients, getting buy-in, and helping people commit to a plan. I feel like I’ve actually done pretty well with that side of the job.

From more of an internal/personal perspective, I think my strengths are that I’m very logical, practical, and big-picture oriented. I enjoy strategy, and thinking about how things operate at a higher level rather than just executing the same clinical tasks repeatedly all day. From a practical standpoint, I also want a career with stronger long-term financial growth. I currently make around $105k - 115k a year depending on the year, which I know is solid, but I still feel stuck. The idea of continuing on the same path for the next 20 to 30 years honestly feels discouraging to me.

Medical sales is something I keep coming back to because it seems like it could combine healthcare knowledge, relationship-building, business, and long-term growth potential. I also like the idea of eventually managing a territory and thinking more strategically from a bigger-picture perspective. At the same time, I genuinely don’t know if I’m idealizing the field or if this actually sounds aligned with my personality and goals.

Would appreciate your thoughts from anyone in the field or an give insight

What do I say if I get asked if I’m interviewing at other companies?

Hi all, I will be undergoing a screener interview for Olympus for a role within their quality department. I would appreciate any tips, how has the hiring process been? Anyone who works there how is it? Anyone in quality can speak on the culture?

So I'm currently on my 2nd in-person interview with BD, have about 2-3 more interviews left (if i make it through them all) but I just wanted to get more insight on BD and working as a clinical specialist. Has anyone worked for them before? I did my ride-along and got a glimpse of a day in the life but I wanted to reach out to this page to see other peoples experiences and what they think about the company overall as a whole and in this role as well. Any insight would be appreciate! Thanks

Anybody here work for Stryker and stayed with the company but transitioned out of a sales role into something like marketing, support, or anything else? Just curious about what my options are and how long to stay in sales before I could pivot to something else

Interviewing for a job in clinical sales in the structural heart area. Anyone have a similar job that can tell me about pay, work life balance and if they are happy with their job?

Thanks!

I’m currently a nursing student in the UK, studying a healthcare-related degree, but over the past few years I’ve realised that my interests and long-term goals align much more with marketing, sales, and business development — particularly within medical or pharmaceutical sales. While I respect the clinical side of healthcare, I don’t see myself working long-term in hospital environments, which is why I’ve been actively researching alternative career paths where I can still use my healthcare knowledge in a more commercial, strategic, and people-focused setting.

I’ve developed a genuine interest in sales and marketing over the years, and I’m confident that this is the direction I want to pursue rather than “trying nursing first and seeing later.” I’m especially interested in med/pharma sales because it combines communication, healthcare knowledge, relationship-building, psychology, and business strategy — all areas I naturally enjoy. I’m also open to tech sales and other commercial industries because I’m fascinated by how businesses grow, how products are positioned, and how communication influences decision-making.

Alongside university, I’ve been working since the age of 17 in a utility company within debt management in a call centre environment. This role has exposed me to outbound dialling, handling objections, dealing with rejection, customer service, difficult conversations, and communicating with a wide range of people under pressure. I feel this experience has already helped me build resilience, confidence, emotional intelligence, and communication skills that are highly transferable into sales. It has also taught me how to remain professional under pressure and adapt my communication style depending on the customer.

At this stage, I’m trying to understand what steps I should be taking now to become a strong candidate for future employers in sales and marketing. I’d really appreciate advice on what skills, certifications, experiences, or knowledge areas would make me stand out — particularly within pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare, or tech sales. I’m interested in learning more about sales psychology, negotiation, branding, marketing strategy, CRM systems, analytics, and business development. For my future studies, I’m also considering pursuing a Master’s related to data science, business analytics, or something that combines healthcare with commercial and analytical skills.

I’d also love advice on how to build the mindset and “persona” of someone successful in sales. What qualities do top performers develop? What should I research, practise, or improve now while I’m still a student? If you were giving advice to your younger self trying to break into sales and marketing from a healthcare background, what would you focus on to speed up the process and become more employable? I’m also very open to networking and connecting with like-minded individuals who are on a similar path or already working within sales, marketing, med/pharma sales, healthcare business, or tech sales. I genuinely enjoy learning from others, sharing ideas, and understanding different experiences and career journeys. If anyone would like to connect, feel free to message me — I’d really appreciate it. For context, I'm based in the UK, around the west midlands :)

Hey Guys,

I had a phone interview today with a recruiter that seemed to go OK with Stryker for potential Field Clincal Specialist in the Arterial space in NYC region ( i live in NJ, right across NYC). Was told next step of interview would be a group interview if it proceeds. Main products I was explained I would be involved in were LimFlow and Artix. Was told not a sales job (don't want sales job as of now) and mainly clinical helping in cases. Territory was all boroughs of NYC and long Island. ​pay was good at 130k and potentailly 40k bonus which is more than I make as a Nurse.

I'm an OR nurse with about 6 years of experience, I was a travel nurse in OR for 3 of those years. I have lots of experience in the endovascular space as most places I worked at as a circulator had hybrid rooms and most RNs disliked the endovasuclar space and would avoid those cases. I didn't mind and would constantly be in those cases, so I learned a lot about it.

I guess what I'm really asking is how is this role for the Arterial space as clincal specialist? I don't really know what the day to day looks like for this role or what the lifestyle is for the role. I asked during interview but didnt really get proper answer to that question. I don't want to be on call all the time and away from my family. ​I like the idea of not being in direct patient are but still being clincal.

Another dilemma ​is that I just got hired in an OR and going through the orientation process. This hospital is considered a great place to work from what I have heard and through word of mouth. I don't want to leave this job in a good OR for a job I might not even like the lifestyle. Just wanted to hear advice.​

Ps. I know I don't have the job yet

At large MedTech companies (Medtronic, Stryker, BD) after a verbal offer is given how long should I expect to receive a written offer? Just curious how fast these companies move, I know there are a lot of things the higher management has to sign off on.

How do holidays work when you’re in the field? My current company I just got hired with has a very vague and ambiguous policy. We get 12 holidays off but my manager said we “might have to work them” if we are needed by a surgeon. So it was recommended to take PTO on the days that we want guaranteed off.

I just started not that long ago and barely have a 2 days saved up, am I really going to have to use one of them for Memorial Day so I can go out of town? There is nothing specifically outlining this in the handbook besides something like “field employees may need to work holidays depending on customer needs”.