The healthcare distribution market is booming, and experts project it to reach over $1.048 billion by 2024. With that need also comes openings for more medical supply distributors.
If you are interested in joining an incredible team of medical manufacturers and distributors, then consider working with them in healthcare contracting as a medical sales representative.
Key Takeaways
- Working with medical supply distributors is a meaningful and fast-paced career.
- You can either sell products from manufacturers to distributors or directly to healthcare facilities.
- Medical distribution is an ideal job for those with degrees in healthcare.
- A successful healthcare sales rep invests hours in training.
- Medical sales reps can earn six-digit incomes with enough work.
There are 2 Types of Medical Suppliers
As a healthcare sales representative, you will often hear three terms: medical suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
A medical supplier is a broad term for both manufacturers and distributors. These are businesses and organizations which create and sell all medical supplies. For example, suppliers can provide anything from tongue compressors to the machines used in surgery. So when you see an item at a healthcare facility, it most likely came from a medical supplier.
Healthcare Manufacturers
A healthcare manufacturer is the one who creates the medical equipment and products. Often manufacturers will sell their products directly to hospitals and healthcare facilities through their healthcare sales representatives.
If you are looking to work with a manufacturer, you must be familiar with B2C sales.
Some of the top healthcare manufacturers are:
- Olympus
- J&J
- Stryker
- Medtronic
- Boston Scientific
- Jockey Scrubs
Healthcare Distributors
Other times, manufacturers will not sell their products directly to hospitals. Instead, they sell them to distributors, who then sell them to the customer. If you are working in this type of model, you will need knowledge of B2B sales.
Some of the top healthcare distributors are:
- McKesson
- AmerisourceBergen
- Henry Schein
- Cardinal Health
- Medline Industries
Prerequisite Education and Knowledge
The medical supply distributor career field is broad, which means there are different educational requirements for healthcare sales reps.
Of the 137,653 medical sales representatives in the U.S., 82% have a bachelor’s degree, while 7% have a master’s degree. Meanwhile, some suppliers don’t require any prior higher education.
However, you are considered a product expert and need the appropriate training and education. Those with advanced medical training and experience have a higher chance of getting positions selling medical devices. With these devices also comes the responsibility to help hospitals learn how to use them, which could mean joining a surgery.
On the other hand, other sales representatives may focus on distributing scrubs or paper products, which wouldn’t require as much expert knowledge. Either way, if you are working in the medical field, you need to be on top of the latest healthcare rules and regulations – which is why healthcare sales reps often make a higher income than other industry sales jobs.
You can give yourself a competitive advantage when looking for a sales job in healthcare by completing healthcare sales training.
What Working with Medical Supply Distributors Looks Like
Day in the Life of a Medical Device Representative by Medical Sales
Every medical supply distributor’s job will look different depending on the products you sell, where you work, and who your leads are.
One nurse shared her experience and said her days include:
- Calling leads
- Dropping off equipment
- Following up with customers
- Attending surgeries
- Offering pre-and post-purchase support
- And so much more.
The Greatest Challenges in the Industry
Because of the nature of healthcare sales, it comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the most challenging parts of the job is keeping on top of the latest healthcare regulations and knowledge. You need to know accurate and updated information so you can answer any questions your leads have.
Another challenge is the fast-paced and unpredictable schedule of reps. You will find yourself nearly always on the go, traveling from facility to facility for hospital distribution sales. As a result, each day will offer new challenges and different schedules.
The Biggest Benefits of the Industry
Even with those challenges, the industry offers more significant benefits. For example, the fast-paced environment may intimidate some while it excites others who thrive in that type of workplace. You will also get to be part of an industry that continues to grow and present new opportunities for advancement.
Another benefit is the high salary. If you devote time and effort to your job, you can make over six-digit incomes every year. Additional training helps give you the tools for success. For example, you can learn the latest sales strategies to sell medical supplies.
The best benefit of working with medical supply distributions is the impact and relationships you build. Each day you meet heroes working on the frontlines of hospitals and medical facilities. You will also have a chance to impact the lives of others by giving those medical workers the tools they need to succeed and save lives.
No amount of compensation or benefits equals the lasting impact of changing someone else’s life.
Share Moving Media Works With the Best Medical Supply Distributors
Are you looking to start a meaningful and fast-paced career that will change people’s lives?
At Share Moving Media, we have the opportunity to work with some of the best device and medical supply distributors. These healthcare suppliers create and distribute everything from medical-grade gloves to life-saving diagnostic devices.
Whether you are a medical supplier looking to train your current team or want to join a manufacturing company, contact our staff at Share Moving Media to help you reach your healthcare business goals.