Medical equipment sales representatives are responsible for selling medical equipment to healthcare specialists. This position involves attracting new clients and cultivating positive relationships with existing clients in the healthcare industry. You must be able to promote medical equipment in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and doctor's offices. The competition for this type of position is high, but the pay is often lucrative, with a high level of job security and growth. To become a medical equipment sales representative in the United States, you will need to obtain the necessary education, the required skill set, and an entry-level position in the industry.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get the Education You Need
Step 1. Join a trade club in high school
You can prepare for this profession from high school by joining a trade club in school or out of school. You can also take classes focused on commerce, if your school offers them.
You can join the school's social committee and volunteer to work on the school's finance or marketing. This will allow you to get used to talking to people and begin to learn how to sell or promote ideas
Step 2. Earn a college degree in health science, sales, or business
Companies that hire medical equipment sales representatives generally look for candidates with a college degree from an accredited university. Earn a college degree in a field related to the sale of medical devices, such as health sciences, sales, commerce, or life sciences.
During your college studies, take elective technical classes that are related to the sale of medical equipment. They can be classes in biomedical engineering or biotechnology
Step 3. Do an internship while you study
You can also improve your sales skills and your knowledge of medical equipment in college to be better prepared for the industry when you graduate. You can do an internship in a hospital surgery ward to familiarize yourself with the surgical equipment currently in use in the industry or seek an internship with a sales company focused on medical equipment.
If you need a part-time job while you study, consider getting a job related to sales. It can be a sales position at a local mall or a door-to-door salesperson position. Getting a basic sales position can help you improve your confidence and ability to sell products to customers
Step 4. Earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Due to increasing competition in the industry, many medical equipment sales representatives are returning to their studies for a master's degree focused on healthcare management or sales management. This could help you get a leg up on the competition and earn an improvement in your salary. However, you can get an entry-level position in medical equipment sales with a college degree.
You may want to pursue a Master of Health Administration (MHA). This master's degree might even help you gain a better understanding of the structure of the clinical system, allowing you to develop more effective sales techniques
Part 2 of 3: Developing the Required Skills
Step 1. Take public speaking classes
If you have difficulty speaking in public, you can take public speaking classes at your college or community college. As a sales representative of medical equipment, you will have to project security, specialized knowledge and trust in your customers. You may end up presenting new products to high-level executives or giving a presentation to a large group of medical experts. Your public speaking skills must be very strong to be successful in that position.
You can also start improving your public speaking skills when you're in high school. To do this, join the school's debate team or participate in public speaking events in the community. Look for opportunities where you can work on your public speaking skills so that you feel comfortable speaking confidently in front of a large group
Step 2. Conduct research in the field of medical equipment
As a medical equipment sales representative, you should also have a high level of knowledge of the medical equipment currently used in the industry. You should be comfortable using medical terminology to explain and sell the equipment to medical professionals, from GPs to surgeons to hospital administrators. It is important that you do a thorough research in the field of medical equipment and study the different equipment that is used today.
- You can take relevant classes at school or keep up with the latest market trends once you earn your college degree. Do a search for medical equipment online and try to stay up-to-date with the vendors who market it.
- You should also subscribe to newspapers and update websites from medical equipment vendors. Review current products on the market to find out what is available.
Step 3. Hone your communication skills
Medical equipment sales representatives must be good listeners and communicators. Improve your listening skills by practicing active listening whenever you can. Hone your communication skills so you can have thoughtful conversations with others, and use your sales skills in dialogue with others.
You can improve your communication skills by taking an active listening course. You can also look for volunteer positions and jobs that require you to interact with people on an ongoing basis, such as volunteering at a homeless shelter or part-time job as a salesperson in a store. These positions can help you improve your ability to communicate and connect with people
Step 4. Prepare for the daily tasks of the position
It is also important that you familiarize yourself with the expectations and tasks of the medical equipment sales representative profession. You are expected to work 40 hours per week and often work from hotel rooms or from home. You will receive the benefits of the profession on the go, from hotel rooms to cars and plane tickets to travel for work. However, you will also have to present a good performance and a high sales rate, so the work can become stressful.
- In any entry-level position, the average salary is $ 66,516 with approximately $ 30,000 in bonuses or commissions. Then you can earn a salary upgrade after two years of experience in the field, with an annual salary of approximately $ 88,000 to $ 145,000.
- There are many career advancement opportunities, especially if you are performing well. However, there is a high turnover rate for medical equipment sales representative positions, and finding another position in the field during a recession can be difficult.
Part 3 of 3: Find a position
Step 1. Search online job forums
Start looking for an entry-level position as a Medical Equipment Sales Representative on online job boards. Look for positions in companies that sell medical products that you know, since you will be a more interesting candidate if the job matches your level of knowledge or experience. You can also search for positions outside of the local area, if you are willing to relocate, and focus on companies known to be successful and support new hires.
You can sign up for updates on Medical Equipment Sales Representative positions through select online job boards. This way, you will receive a notification when a vacancy arises
Step 2. Join the National Association of Medical Equipment Sales Representatives
You can network with other representatives by joining the National Association of Medical Equipment Sales Representatives (NAMSR), an association that connects and supports medical equipment sales representatives and their employers. You can register online or send an email directly to the association for more information related to registration.
You can also get certified as a Medical Equipment Sales Representative through NAMSR. You will need to take an exam to become a Registered Medical Equipment Sales Representative (RMSR), which will make you a more interesting candidate for employers
Step 3. Contact your contacts to find out about job openings
You can also contact current business contacts for information about job openings. Medical equipment companies can be selective about who they hire, and having a referral contact can help you get your resume to the top of the pile. You can also talk to former school and university professors who are related to the medical equipment industry or talk to mentors with whom you have worked on internships during your studies.
You can also reach out to recruiters who can connect you to available positions in the field. A recruiter can also help you improve your resume and find suitable positions based on your skill set
Step 4. Prepare for the interview
Once you get an interview, you should prepare to enter the room with confidence and experience. Do a search for the company before the interview, focusing on its niche within the industry, its product line, and the professional background of the management team. This will allow you to confidently speak about the things the company offers clients during the interview to show that you have done your research.
- You should also include all relevant experience on your resume to show the interviewer that you have the skills required for the position. Employers generally look for candidates who have a college degree in a relevant field and a solid work history without lapses of inactivity and seniority at each company or place you've worked.
- It is also considered positive to have at least two years of experience in sales in the sector or in another field, and a high rank as a salesperson. Lastly, you must pass a background check brilliantly.