The medical device industry is a booming economic force right now. Companies in this ever-evolving market develop products that help to diagnose and treat many different illnesses. As technological advancements in artificial intelligence, 3D printing, machine learning, and other areas continue at unprecedented speeds, the medical device industry benefits and grows as a result. Securing a job in this line of work means riding a wave that isn’t expected to break anytime soon. 

So how do you get started in the health care field? There are many different paths one can take. The first and most obvious is to get a relevant college degree, but this is not the only option. Internships and real-world experience also play major roles in getting hired.

Choosing a Job in the Medical Device Industry

The medical device industry contains many different professionals with diverse skill sets and responsibilities. Some examples include marketing specialists who devise strategies to promote new products, sales reps who interact directly with doctors and other purchasing decision-makers, and managers tasked with ensuring operations run smoothly. 

Because this is such a broad field—growing and expanding every year—there is an increasing number of subsectors and specialties to consider:

  • Research and Development. Medical device companies rely on their research and development (R&D) departments to innovate and develop new products. These team members identify and design solutions to address some of today’s biggest health care challenges.
  • Quality Assurance (QA). Robust quality assurance for medical devices leads to safe, effective products. An essential part of manufacturing phases, QA is process-focused and ensures designs are developed without significant flaws. 
  • Quality Control (QC). Similar to quality assurance, QC is in place to make sure medical devices function properly and safely. This step focuses on the product after it is manufactured, to ensure it physically adheres to the design specifications and is not defective.
  • Manufacturing Operations. Encompassing all aspects of fabrication, manufacturing operations include process design, prototyping, mass production, sterilization, shipping, and more.
  • Device Validation. Medical devices undergo rigorous testing to make sure they meet the needs of health care providers and patients. Validation is a process that ensures these products provide their intended benefits. 

As technological innovation and global markets continue to expand, new roles and departments are sure to join the medical device industry. Choosing a suitable career path starts with having a firm grasp of the major challenges in health care, which helps to identify how your talent can be leveraged to solve these obstacles.

Becoming a Medical Device Professional

Whether you’re set on becoming an engineer or a quality assurance specialist, there are very different qualifications, skills, and experience needed for the profession you choose. If your goal is to work in development, a graduate degree in medicine, engineering, or pharmacy is usually a must-have for reputable medical device employers. If you lack the academic qualifications for an engineering or researcher role, there are still many other exciting and fulfilling opportunities available. 

Generally, medical device companies look for candidates with high adaptability and a driven work ethic. If you have proven experience in mid-to-senior-level roles and can demonstrate the required skills, it’s possible to obtain a position in sales, operations, or marketing. As this fast-paced industry continues to evolve, the need for talented individuals is sure to expand along the way.

Pathway Medtech Creates Opportunity

As one of the leading medical device authorities in the country, Pathway Medtech specializes in the complete medical device production process. Our skilled team includes design and engineering professionals, regulatory experts, project managers, quality assurance/quality control personnel, and manufacturing staff. By specializing in the top-to-bottom process, Pathway Medtech can bring revolutionary health care solutions to market quickly and safely.

Are you a medical device inventor or startup that needs help launching your new product? Pathway Medtech has an incredible team of experts who will work side-by-side with you to achieve phenomenal results. Our company is an experienced medical device contract manufacturer that can meet your production needs without compromising product quality. 

Here at Pathway Medtech, it’s our goal to get your project to the finish line seamlessly and without needless hurdles. Contact us today to learn how our multidisciplinary team of experts can bring your invention to life!