How do I become a Pharmacovigilance Officer?

Pharmacovigilance jobs – or drug safety jobs – are becoming an increasingly popular option for life sciences graduates. A growing market readily embracing new technologies – its innovation unravels every day, offering excellent career progression and earning potential. Whilst Pharmacovigilance Officers are considered an entry level position, they are a steadfast starting point for career growth, and offer a generous starting salary. According to Talent, this can be anywhere from £34,000 in the UK. So, let’s get into how you can become a Pharmacovigilance Officer:

What is a Pharmacovigilance Officer?

Safety and efficacy are at the heart of what a Pharmacovigilance Officer does. They examine and report on the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs and any adverse side effects that may result. They monitor both drugs new to the market as well as those currently in circulation. It is a data heavy role – so excellent documentation and analytical skills are a must.

What do I need to become a Pharmacovigilance Officer?

A degree

A degree education is requirement number one for any pharmacovigilance job. Generally, any scientific, medical or pharmaceutical discipline is accepted. It is also possible for healthcare professionals such as nurses, pharmacists or doctors to move over into pharmacovigilance.

If you are looking to advance quickly in the field, you may consider looking into a post graduate degree in Pharmacovigilance or related studies. For more vocational training courses the Pharmaceutical Institution and Pharmacovigilance Association (PIPA) have some excellent options.

Experience

Considered an entry level position (grade one), most companies are more than happy to take on graduates for their pharmacovigilance officer position. So, as long as you have a relevant degree or qualification, prior experience isn’t always necessary. Over time you will climb the grades and move into higher level pharmacovigilance jobs – such as Senior Pharmacovigilance officer, Risk Management Specialist or Vigilance Manager.

Skills

There are a specific set of skills that make a great Pharmacovigilance Officer, much of which will be gathered and refined during your university studies. However, what is arguably more important is your ability to demonstrate your mastery with a decent CV. This will mean building an easy-to-read CV that screams your suitability as a candidate.

Skills that the hiring manager will be looking for include:

·        Documentation writing

·        Attention to detail

·        Analytical problem-solving

·        Effective communication

·        Technical

Apply

The final part of landing your dream job as a Pharmacovigilance officer: apply! And we are here to help.

Quanta are skilled at placing talented professionals in pharmacovigilance roles around the world. Whether you're looking for contract or permanent work, we are a recruitment partner that put our candidates first, finding them the job that suits their exact requirements. So, put your best foot forward in your job search, and:

·        Submit your CV

·        Check out our Pharmacovigilance jobs

·        Register for job alerts

·        Get in touch directly with our team