Pharmaceutical Medical Science Liaison

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We foster an inclusive culture and we are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. We are looking for a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) who is a field-based member of the North America Medical Affairs team. MSLs serve as a strategic link between Alcon and our Scientific Partners as they are expected to develop and maintain peer-to-peer relationships with Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) /Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in the fields of Optometry and Ophthalmology.

The MSLs strategically support the development and appropriate use/adoption of Alcon products and therapies through evidence-based scientific exchange and by seeking external insights to further inform and shape company’s understanding of the products, therapeutic areas, and clinical practice. They also provide support for doctors interested in participating in Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) by guiding them through the concept endorsement, synopsis review, and grant approval process.

Additionally, the MSLs provide general medical/healthcare information in given therapeutic area(s) by delivering formal presentations to practitioners, third party payors. and internal Alcon associates. MSLs also respond to queries and unsolicited requests for medical information from doctors submitted to Medical Product Information and Complaint Handling and escalated to the MSL team. Applicants for this position should live in a metro area in the eastern US with a major airport as this position requires extensive travel.

Roles and responsibilities:

Maintain a thorough and detailed working knowledge of Alcon products and current medical/scientific research, and publications related to those products.

Engage in scientific discussions related to Alcon product data/research areas/ and pipeline (where appropriate) with ECPs and KOLs, speakers & investigators by ensuring the appropriate dissemination of clinical and scientific information regarding marketed and pipeline products in a timely, compliant, and customer-focused manner.

Function as the Alcon medical speaker to present, as needed, at customer sites, congresses, symposia, and training events to provide up-to-date, data-based, scientific and clinical information on Alcon products.

Involvement in Scientific Research Support

Upon investigator request, liaise between potential researcher and Alcon on Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) from inception to publication.

Contribute to the identification and recommendation of appropriate KOL involvement and participation in Alcon sponsored clinical trials (includes both pre-and post-market studies) from assigned territory. Collect, analyze, and report insights that may impact company development plans/trial designs, launch and brand strategies/tactics.

Respond to unsolicited requests for scientific information or channel such requests to the appropriate Alcon function.

Involvement in Medical Projects

Contribute to medical strategy/plan development by providing field insights

Implement or support medical projects as field medical lead/contact aligned with Global or Regional Medical Affairs activities.

Support educational efforts, such as wet lab activities, by being onsite as necessary.

Internal Alcon Support

Provide medical support and training, as appropriate, (i.e., disease state and product) to colleagues (e.g. sales reps, Regulatory Affairs colleagues, etc.), but not as a substitute for those functional training groups such as the Global Medical Affairs trainers, Project Leads, Medical Directors, and Subject Matter Experts.

Work with Med Info and Med Safety to help resolve escalated product complaints as well as Medical Safety issues.

Interface effectively with all other Medical Affairs functions, as well as other departments, including Commercial, QA, Research and Development, Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, etc.

Act as an interface between Medical Expert/ HCP and Alcon to provide up-to-date medical support on device-related issues to educate, diagnose, resolve and where applicable, escalate to local or regional Medical Affairs.

Compliance Responsibilities

Works with Compliance in observing all regulations, industry standards, and company policies.

Complies with all credentialing requirements for any healthcare institution (e.g., hospital) which is part of the MSL's call plan, including, among other things, routine background checks, medical testing (i.e., Tuberculosis test) or proof of immunizations, training on facility policies, adherence to confidentiality, etc.

Major Accountabilities:

Medical support, clinical study support (primarily serving as a resource for the IIT process) & KOL Relationship Development Develop a strong understanding of the future needs of Optometrists and Ophthalmic surgeons to obtain insights and support medical education in alignment with Alcon strategy Liaise and provide up-to-date medical support to healthcare associations to ensure evidence based understanding of Alcon products relative to medical guidelines and medical evidence/health economic information Provide non-promotional speaker assets to HCPs to support education to the healthcare

community about approved and commercialized products

Identify national, regional, and local KOLs and develop peer-to-peer scientific relationships with KOLs and decision makers to expand scientific partnership opportunities and to gain their advocacy Assure thoughtful and informed exchange of current medical information and data related to Alcon products and selected areas of therapeutic interest with KOLs

KPIs:

ECP interactions

Obtain insights into ECPs professional needs and understanding of current and future healthcare trends.

Successful introductions to the IIT process

Efficient management of IIT process (concept submission, synopsis submission/support, pace of study execution, share of voice/publication plan development)

Effective preparation of KOLs for major Optometric and Ophthalmic meetings

Accuracy of KOL tiering

Effectiveness of KOL development

Support of internal functions

Elevated medical information questions

IME support

Advisory Boards

New product launches

Competency Profile:

Self-Awareness: Manages emotion so that a balanced objectivity is exercised in business situations. Shows Empathy: an awareness of others’ feelings, needs and concerns. Political Awareness: Reads a group’s emotional currents and power relationships. 

Social Skills: Adeptness at inducing desirable responses in others; manages conflict; and inspires collaboration and teamwork.

Shows Drive and Initiative: Establishes aggressive goals and drives for results; readily.

Thinks Creatively: Approaches problems with curiosity and open-mindedness; creatively integrates different ideas and perspectives; stimulates creative thinking in others; generates innovative ideas and solutions to problems.

Establishes Relationships: Relates to people in an open friendly and accepting manner; develops relationships with key people in other functions and at other levels; expresses disagreement tactfully and sensitively.

Key Requirements/Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school+15 yrs; Assoc.+11 yrs; M.S.+4 yrs; PhD+3 yrs) 

The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English.

7 Years of Relevant Experience 

Work hours: Standard

Travel Requirements: 60%

Relocation assistance: No

Sponsorship available: No

Preferred Requirements/Qualifications:

OD, MD (Ophthalmology), DO (Ophthalmology), or other equivalent medical or bio-scientific degree.

Reside in a location with a major airport as the position requires extensive travel.

Solid knowledge of eye diseases, contact lenses, dry eye, and ocular health landscape.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in the eyecare field (academia, industry, practice), with at least 3 of those in the ophthalmic industry or clinical practice. Experience in a customer-facing role.

Working knowledge of the Healthcare System and of the research procedures as well as the ICH guidelines, GCP, and other ethical guidelines.

Experience in understanding the design and execution clinical trials, in particular in the post-market phase.

Experience in creating and delivering scientific presentations, basic experience in medical writing and a general knowledge of biostatistics.

Knowledge of product development, clinical trial design, regulatory requirements, payer landscape, and life cycle management.

Proven ability and experience to develop and foster peer-to-peer, credible relationships with Medical Experts/decision makers.

Experience in adverse event management.

#LI-DNI