What Jobs Can I Do With a MD Degree?

Although the vast majority of medical students intend to practice medicine, it’s far from the only career option available to U.S. and Caribbean medical school graduates.

A medical degree is surprisingly flexible, with numerous lucrative opportunities available to med school graduates. Whether you intend to sample the job market prior to beginning your residency training or want to seek out an alternative medical career instead of a medical license, here are just some of roles where medical graduates have achieved exceptional success:

Hospital Administration

Medical training will give you an advantage when applying for administrative positions at a hospital. Graduates of medical schools have gone on to excel in a variety of executive roles at many hospitals around the world, including medical directors, executive directors, and more. 

While you’re rotating through clinical clerkships, you should actively network with hospital administration to see what’s available and what life as a hospital administrator is like. These roles increase the efficiency of physicians, foster an environment that improves patient care, and ensure that various departments function cohesively.

Hospital Administrators are the people behind the scenes who oversee the daily and overall business operations of a hospital, including, but not limited to, the management of facility services and electronic medical records personnel, finances, and quality assurance. While doctors tend to the health of the patient, administrators focus on the health of the hospital.

Medical Writer

Medical Writers are professionals who create a wide range of scientific documents, including research articles, clinical study reports, regulatory documents, and educational materials for healthcare providers and patients. They translate complex medical and scientific information into clear, accurate, and accessible content. Medical writers work for pharmaceutical companies, medical communication agencies, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies.

An MD degree provides a strong foundation for a career in medical writing, as it equips professionals with the in-depth medical knowledge and terminology and understanding needed to accurately interpret and convey scientific data. Medical writers often collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and regulatory authorities to ensure that the information is precise and meets the required standards. 

Medical Researcher

Just like becoming a physician, clinical research positions allow MDs to continue the tradition of being life-long learners. This medical profession is on the frontline of discovering the cures for tomorrow by collecting data and making sense of the numbers. 

Instead of healing one person at a time, you could be healing the world with the medical breakthroughs from a research project under your guidance. If you decide to join this field, you will need a strong resume and health background. While you’re in medical school, try to submit your independent research to conferences and academic journals in the field(s) where your research is most relevant. Being a published researcher is a huge boon not only if you want to be a researcher but also for your applications for residency programs. 

Note: you may need to obtain a PhD for certain research positions.

Pharmaceutical Company Executive

Pharmaceutical companies are always on the lookout for people with a medical education and a keen eye for business. Through an articulation agreement with Urbana University, American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine offers an online MBA program. This program will teach you how to climb the ladder in the pharmaceutical industry and develop the qualities that make a great executive. 

Through the Urbana program, you will also learn what healthcare professionals are looking for in a strong resume and how to build one of your own. To understand the industry and determine whether it’s right for you, visit Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine’s website.

Medical Consultant

You remember all that medical jargon you heard on House and Scrubs? A medical consultant reviewed all of that before it made it to air. Medical consultants are advisors to organizations that need assistance in analyzing the accuracy of their use of medical terminology. 

Consultants have reviewed advertisements, marketing campaigns, screenplays, teleplays, plays, manuscripts, and more. They’ve also been hired to help design hospitals and medical facilities. Consultants have worked with medical practices and helped them improve their efficiency. You will have to network to get your name out there, but once you make connections, your name could be listed in the credits at the end of a film or honored by the architects you consulted in building the new wing of a hospital. It’s an incredibly broad career path that suits the flexibility of an MD degree.

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

A Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a professional who acts as a bridge between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community. MSLs are responsible for educating healthcare providers about new drugs and medical devices, conducting scientific research, and gathering clinician feedback to help guide product development. 

MSLs often travel extensively to meet with healthcare professionals, attend medical conferences, and present scientific information. Their role requires a deep understanding of clinical data and the ability to communicate complex information clearly. This position is ideal for MDs who have a passion for science and education but prefer a non-clinical role that allows them to remain at the forefront of medical advancements.

Health Informatics Specialist

Health Informatics Specialists focus on the intersection of healthcare, information technology, and data management. They are responsible for implementing and managing health information systems, analyzing health data to improve patient care, and ensuring that electronic health records (EHRs) are used effectively. 

With an MD degree, Health Informatics Specialists can leverage their medical knowledge to better understand the clinical needs and workflows within healthcare settings. They play a critical role in developing clinical decision support systems, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. This career is well-suited for those who are interested in technology and data analytics and wish to contribute to healthcare innovation from a systems perspective.

Bottom Line

An MD degree opens many career opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice. From the dynamic roles of Medical Science Liaison, Health Informatics Specialist, and Medical Writer to the established paths in hospital administration, medical research, and pharmaceuticals, the possibilities are diverse and exciting. 

Whether you’re passionate about innovation, technology, education, or patient care, an MD degree provides a solid foundation to explore and excel in a career that aligns with your interests and ambitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can I pursue a career in technology with an MD degree?

Absolutely! With an MD degree, you can become a Health Informatics Specialist. As a specialist you’ll work at the intersection of healthcare and information technology. 

Is it possible to have a non-clinical career with an MD degree?

Yes, there are numerous non-clinical careers available for MD graduates. You can become a Medical Science Liaison, Medical Writer, or enter fields like healthcare consulting, health informatics, and medical communications. 

How can an MD degree benefit a career in medical writing?

An MD degree provides a strong foundation in medical knowledge and scientific research, essential for medical writing. As a Medical Writer, you’ll create accurate and accessible content for research articles, regulatory documents, and educational materials.