Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

The Work

A medical sales representative promotes and sells pharmaceutical drugs and/or medical equipment to doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

The medical sales representative has to be completely knowledgeable about the products they sell and promote as they also have to be able to answer any questions and provide advice.

Most medical sales reps spend a lot of their time on the road as they organise appointments and meetings with GPs and hospital-based healthcare staff so that they can promote, demonstrate or present products. They may also attend trade exhibitions and conferences in and outside the country.

Part of their sales activities involve negotiating contracts, managing budgets and reviewing sales performances. Other tasks can include keeping track of competitors’ products and prices, providing an after-sales service and continuously building strong relationships with medical staff/customers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
• Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
• Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
• Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
• Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
• Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
• Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
• Emphasise product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
• Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.
• Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.

Further Information

• Medical Sales Representative - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Medical Sales Representative - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Although not essential, some medical sales reps have a qualification in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine or nursing for example. But prior in-depth medical knowledge is not required and many have a background in sales.

Many employers look for candidates who have passed the membership exam for the Medical Representative Institute of Ireland (MRII).

Having passed the MRII membership exam is way of showing that you have the educational level required as a sales rep, including an awareness of relevant medical terminology, industry rules and regulations, and some basic biology. But the employer would not expect newly recruited sales reps to have expert knowledge of their specific products so there would normally be an induction period with training and potentially shadowing experienced sales reps.

In preparation for a career as a Medical Sales Rep, it may also be good to familiarise yourself with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) Codes of Practice.

A full driving licence is also a common requirement.

Training & Development pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Care Management, Pharma in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Nursing, Pharma, Sales, Marketing at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Tech/ Analyst, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Nursing, Pharma at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options (Including Springboard) Sales, Business, Accounts, Management, Medical device & Marketing at NFQ level 9

With experience and a good track record, you could progress to senior sales or managerial roles, such as regional manager or account manager. You can also choose to progress to related employment areas such as marketing or purchasing.

Membership in the MRII can be beneficial for accessing training and attending events where you have a chance to meet recruitment agencies and representatives from leading pharmaceutical companies.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €75k

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ CPL / Azon/ Lincoln/ Sigmar

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong employment growth rate for this occupation, employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022. Employment is spread across a number of roles including marketing associate professionals, buyers & procurement officers, conference/expo managers and estate agents. Employment permits issued in 2022 were primarily for roles in the ICT sector such as digital marketing and accounts managers with language skills required for some.

The Recruitment Agency Survey highlighted issues in sourcing candidates for procurement roles. The number of job adverts for this role grew in 2022, driven by increases for buyers/procurement officers and conference organisers etc. In addition, procurement/tendering documentation skills were not confined to this occupation, but were also in demand outside of sales roles, albeit in small numbers.

• Medical Representative Institute of Ireland (MRII)

  • Click Here

• Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association

  • Franklin House, 140 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4
  • (01) 661 0018
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland

  • 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 218 4000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here