Medical Science Liaison, Rare Nephrology, Southern CA, HI

Medical Science Liaison

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a field-based scientific expert that strategically supports the medical and scientific objectives of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease's product/s across the product/s life cycle. The individual is a peer scientific expert who communicates accurate and applicable science to Healthcare Practitioners (HCPs) within a geographic area. The individual manages and maintains collegial and professional relationships with HCPs and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and identifies and facilitates collaboration opportunities with Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. The MSL combines strong business acumen and clinical expertise and serves as a peer-to-peer liaison internally to Medical Directors, USMA Leadership Team, cross-functional partners and externally (HCPs & KOLs). The MSL should be able to identify problems early on, seek appropriate help and counsel to work past any barriers, and innovate in order to achieve medical goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

HCP relationship management

• Evaluates their territory to profile and identify the HCPs to engage and build relationships with, as well as identify, important centers of excellence
• Develops clear, succinct, impactful HCP engagement plans, aligned with medical strategic goals and objectives. Evaluates and refines plans as needed per the progress against the quarterly focus priorities
• Gains HCPs' trust and respect by effectively providing and communicating relevant scientific/medical information on the company's products and disease states
• Gathers and disseminates HCP insights as appropriate internally to help inform medical strategy
• Develops strong working relationships in different external business settings

Scientific knowledge and training

• Keeps current with scientific knowledge within assigned products and therapeutic area
• Supports scientific exchange of product/disease state with external stakeholders (HCPs) as needed
• Provides relevant scientific information to other internal teams and functions as appropriate
• Demonstrates a functional understanding of real-world evidence and HEOR

Research & Development

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of clinical study design and protocols
• Ensures HCPs and stakeholders receive focused and balanced clinical and scientific information
• Develops expertise in applicable research outcomes to credibly conduct effective discussion with HCPs
• Supports applicable externally sponsored research and clinical trials, as appropriate

US Healthcare system knowledge

• Acquires knowledge of the current US healthcare system environment and its impact on the rare disease ecosystem
• Builds a basic understanding of the foundations of managed markets
• Acquires a basic understanding of the flow of information in managed care and government organizations

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• MD, PharmD, or PhD in biological sciences strongly preferred
• Clinical experience in a relevant therapeutic area OR track record of success as an MSL

Minimum Experience

• Industry experience is preferred but not mandatory; if no industry experience, therapeutic area experience (Hematology/Nephrology/Transplant) is preferred

Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Has excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Energetically embraces responsibilities and demonstrates the ability to achieve goals
• Has a strong personal initiative
• Functions well as part of a cross-functional team
• Exhibits excellent time management
• Able to work independently
• Demonstrates leadership skills and high-level job competencies

Additional Role Requirements

• Office is home based. Travel within region 3-4 days per week with 1-2 office days per week
• Person should be able to travel minimum ~70% time
• Required travel to medical meetings, team meetings and other group meetings (including possible weekends, as dictated by conference schedule)
• Candidate is required to live within the territory
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in a field environment. As is typical of a field-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation, to travel by public transportation, automobile, train, or plane; work comfortably in a clinical setting; use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; problem solve; engage in complex and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours
• At AstraZeneca, we are taking bold action on climate because we recognize the connection between healthy people and a healthy planet. As part of our flagship Ambition Zero Carbon program, we have committed to a fully electric vehicle (EV) fleet by the end of 2025, which means that all of our drivers will be assigned an EV. Ability to travel within territory on a regular basis which will include frequent overnight and weekend travel. Valid driver's license and clean driving record required).
• All activities should be conducted per Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease policies.