Medical Advisor – a job with many facets
My name is Inés Rojo Pulido and I have been working for one-and-a-half years as a Medical Advisor for an anticoagulant in the medical department of Bayer Vital GmbH.
Since my childhood, I have been fascinated by the processes in nature, which often run perfectly, and thus curious to understand these small and big miracles. That’s why I decided early on that I wanted to dedicate my time to studying biology.
As my interest in human biology grew over the semesters, I set my sights on pursuing a doctorate at an institute affiliated with medicine, and spent the following years investigating blood coagulation processes at cellular level. Basic research calls for a creative approach to developing questions and experimental concepts together with a high degree of care in conducting experiments.
From academic research to medical affairs
After completing my doctorate, I sought a practical field of application and took my first professional steps in clinical research. As a Clinical Research Associate at a contract research institute, I accompanied physicians conducting clinical studies throughout Germany.
My transfer to Medical Affairs more than five years ago – one and a half of these now at Bayer Vital – was the next logical step in my career development. Moving from clinical research into evaluating scientific knowledge enabled me to play an active role in helping ensure patients receive safe and effective medical care. As a scientist, I offer an analytical approach to data classification, a good understanding of physiological processes and a creative mindset.
Medical Affairs offers a very exciting and diverse work environment in which no two days are the same. Actively participating in strategic orientation requires a high degree of flexibility due to the constantly changing environment. Different perspectives and approaches open up in cooperation with colleagues both within medicine and, above all, from other specialist departments such as marketing, sales and law. I find this interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teamwork particularly exciting and motivating in my daily work.
By continuously exchanging information with experts in the therapeutic fields, we gain valuable insights into practical patient care and the needs of doctors and patients. This outward view is essential to offering our patients innovative medicines with a high therapeutic benefit. In addition to desk work, there are many exciting opportunities for activities outside our familiar four office walls, such as attending specialist congresses, Bayer’s own events for physicians, and meetings with our global and international colleagues.
Change jobs during parental leave?
The opportunity to gain professional ground at Bayer came as a surprise to me during my parental leave. I was very impressed that it was made possible for me to change to a new position at a major, innovative pharmaceutical company while a young mother. At the same time, of course, my husband and I discussed very intensively whether we could combine this new full-time job with the very recent change in our family situation. However, thanks to his support, often giving me the freedom to concentrate on everyday matters, and the family-friendly conditions at Bayer, I took this step and left my familiar, established professional environment behind. In addition, both my supervisors and my team colleagues have very similar family backgrounds and therefore understand my situation.
The initial phase in fact turned out to be particularly challenging, as it took some time to understand the complexity of the Bayer world. Was the courage to change well placed? After one-and-a-half years, I can say: Yes! I have settled into my role, and every day I draw motivation from my varied and exciting tasks as a Medical Advisor. What I particularly appreciate about my working environment at Bayer Vital is the high level of professionalism and quality of the organization, the diversity of the teams and cross-team collaboration, the opportunities for personal and professional development and, last but not least, the attractive working environment. I am curious to see how my experience at Bayer pans out in the future.
This post is also available in: German
