How To Get A Job In Healthcare Sales As A PT/OT/PTA/COTA/OTA/SLP

If you are looking for a remote job that you can do as physical, occupational, speech therapist or physical/occupational therapy assistant, that requires no extra education and no physical labor, then look no further than a job in healthcare sales! In this article we’ll highlight how to transition from a rehabilitation career into a stay at home position in medical sales and healthcare related sales roles.

What is a sales position in healthcare?

Healthcare sales can have a variety of similar titles and you can really work for a variety of companies, and as result have a variety of roles. But the primary focus of this role is to sell a certain EMR system, healthcare software, healthcare assistive device, or similar. 

Some examples of companies that may want to hire you for sales roles could be:

• NuStep
• LiteGait
• Bioness
• NeuroVR
• XR Health (there are many more Virtual Reality companies)
• EMR companies (so many but a short list is HelloNote, Simple Practice, WebPT)
• Billing companies (so many but one company example is Billing Nerds)
• NewGait
• Permobile, Ki Mobility and many many wheelchair and seating/cushion companies
• Cranial Technologies
• and so many more!

Why do I love healthcare sales as a remote career idea for physical, occupational or speech therapy professionals as well as assistants?

1.  No extra education needed (if so, it’s a simple course that many companies have built themselves and provide to their employees upon hire).
2.  You can work from home (although these are sometimes hybrid roles, but many are also fully remote)
3. Minor physical labor (to carry products to different sites potentially) or no physical labor
4.  You continue to get to help people in a significant way
5.  You continue to get to use your medical degree
6.  It may be really fun to work in growing technology and there may be new ideas you can contribute or upward/lateral growth you may be able to do
7. There often isn't a salary cap as its usually commission plus salary based

Top pros of working in medical sales:

• Can be very rewarding to help people improve their mobility
• Still get to use clinical skills and work with clinical team
• You need no extra certifications or education (many companies have their own training they provide)
• Sometimes there is not a salary cap, so you could earn more than your current position
• Easy transition as much of your treatment sessions will be just like in the therapy session

Top cons of working in healthcare sales :

• As this may be commission plus salary, there may be more pressure and more stress and you may not make as much as your clinical career
• You have to hustle, be organized, and be a good communicator
• It takes the right company. You want to make sure you are proud to work for the company you are with, otherwise you are not going to like your sales job. 

What is the average pay of healthcare sales positions?

These positions are often salary plus commission based, so you could make six figures plus or you could earn less. This is role that is dependent on the company, the product, your ability to be organized, make relationships, communicate, and hustle. So there isn't a clear set salary.

Who is best fit for a role in healthcare sales?

I think this role is great for someone who likes technology and new equipment. You like to learn, speak, and educate. You are organized and willing to hustle and work hard and make new connections. 

Best course to help you get a job in healthcare sales? 

I've created a remote careers course, that has step by step video guides, resume template, cover letter template, interview questions and answers for healthcare sales, virtual reality, and its bundled with other remote careers including recruiting, technology/marketing, and ergonomic careers. 

Learn more here: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/remote-jobs-course 

Example day in the life in healthcare sales:

Your schedule and day can really vary. Somedays you'll be going to clinical sites to educate on your product and do in services or you may have a scheduled patient demo where you'll go in to the clinic to trial the device on a patient.

You'll also have calling, scheduling, email, and following up on arrival of products or on if sites need any more devices or help. You'll be performing documentation and creating invoices for products as well.

Now with the remote nature of everything, many more in-services and trainings are also happening virtually as well.

What are the requirements to become a healthcare sales representative as a therapist or assistant?

• Most of the healthcare companies requirements are very minimal and may not even require a therapist or assistant degree although having your physical, occupational or speech therapy licenses as a therapist or assistant will help you stand out.  
• It's usually helpful to have previous experience and background with the device you are applying to
• Previous sales, marketing, or similar business type of experience helpful but not required. 
• Be able to work from home, previous remote experience may help – but this is an easy fix by getting any tele health contracting role for a brief time while still working full time

How to find healthcare sales jobs:

Step 1.

Look up a list of common healthcare companies near you or ones that you've used before in your clinical career. 

Step 2.

Apply to these companies directly and try to set up job auto notifications if possible to alert you if new jobs post.

Step 3.

I would personally email or call too if you can, as there may not be positions but they may be getting ready to hire. This can sometimes bring you to the top of the pack.

Step 4.

Connect with recruiters from these companies and message them for free by hitting “connect” and sending a message/note with your connection.

Step 5.

Also set up alerts on Indeed and LinkedIn for these companies and jobs

Step 6.

Use multiple titles while you are searching. Get creative! 

How to get these healthcare sales jobs as therapist or assistant?

Getting a sales job in healthcare equipment should be pretty easy as it's a really simple transition, and your degree and often direct experience should really help you stand out.

But common mistakes we've seen is not updating and tailoring your resume for a sales position, not including a cover letter, not preparing for an interview, and not sending a thank you email shortly after.  Highlight your sales related experience as being a clinician is very sales when you stop to think about, same with how good you are with communication and customer satisfaction as we do this all day long in healthcare already! You have so many related skills, so just take the time to really think about examples and illustrate them.

In addition, try to stand out by getting direct experience with the device or system you are applying for. Try to gain additional marketing, sales, communication, online communication experience as well.

Summary:

I really hope this article has helped outline another amazing remote career that you as a physical, occupational, or speech therapist or assistant can do!

If you want a more in-depth guide into each of these career routes you can go to each of the respective blog posts here:

• How to get a utilization review/care coordinator job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/how-to-become-a-utilization-reviewer-rehabiliation-professionals
• How to get a recruiting job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/travel-therapy-recruiting
• How to get a sales job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA : https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/medical-sales-job-guide 
• How to get a telehealth job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/telehealth-job-guide 
• How to get a virtual reality job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/job-in-virtual-reality 
• How to get a Technology (product, project manager, customer success, clinical trainer) job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA :  https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/technology-job-guide 
• How to get an Assistive Technology job as a PT, OT, SLP, OTA/COTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/assistive-technology-job-guide 
• How to get a health coaching job as a PT, OT, SLP, COTA/OTA, PTA: https://www.alternativehealthcarecareers.com/blog/health-coach-job-guide