Surgical Medical Science Liaison, Western Region

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 are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. This Surgical Medical Science Liaison position will be a remote position with a territory for the West that goes from CA, WA and OR, among other states.

Job Description

The Surgical Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a field-based member of the 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 Medical Experts (ME)/Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in the field of Surgical Ophthalmology and optometry. This position requires deep subject matter expertise in Surgical Ophthalmology, including anterior and posterior segments.

Upon investigator request, liaise between potential researcher and Alcon on Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) from inception to publication. 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 area, and clinical practice. Additionally, the MSLs provide general medical/healthcare information in given therapeutic area(s) to practitioners and internal Alcon associates. 

MSLs also respond to requests for medical information, scientific exchange/insights, detailed working knowledge of Alcon products, current medical/scientific research, and publications. The MSL ensures appropriate dissemination of clinical and scientific information regarding marketed and pipeline products in a timely, compliant, and customer-focused manner.

In this role, a typical day will include:

• Foster KOL/HCP interest and engagement in data/evidence generation through Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) within Alcon’s product strategy and liaise between potential researchers and Alcon on Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) from inception to publication. 

• Deliver effective medical presentations to ECPs and collect and report insights. 

• Develop and maintain peer-to-peer scientific relationships with KOLs and decision-makers to expand evidence generation through scientific partnership opportunities; and gain their advocacy. 

• Develop a strong understanding of the future needs of surgeons/ECPs/KOLs and support medical education in alignment with Alcon's strategy. 

• Identify national, regional, and local KOL eye Care Provider experts according to their medical expertise and academic reputation.  

• Liaise and provide up-to-date medical support to healthcare associations to ensure an evidence-based understanding of Alcon products relative to medical guidelines and medical evidence/health economic information.  

• Assure thoughtful and informed exchange of current medical information and data related to Alcon products and selected areas of therapeutic interest with KOLs. 

• Upon investigator request, liaise between potential researcher and Alcon on Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) and serve as Project Lead from inception to publication 

• Provides important information for making healthcare coverage and access decisions for Health Economics and Outcomes Research. 

• Regularly collect, analyze, and report insights from the data dissemination/scientific exchange with ECPs that may impact company development plans/trial designs, launch, and brand strategies/tactics.  

• Function as the Alcon medical speaker to present, as needed, at customer sites, congresses, symposia, and training events for up-to-date data-based, scientific, and clinical information on Alcon product(s).   

• Provide non-promotional speaker training to HCPs to support education to the healthcare community about therapies developed and commercialized.   

• Medical Support & Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Relationship Development   

• Attend and provide scientific support for Medical Affairs activities and scientific sessions at regional and national congress meetings. 

• Liaise and provide up-to-date medical support to healthcare associations to ensure an evidence-based understanding of Alcon products relative to medical guidelines and medical evidence/health economic information.   

• Timely completion of all required training activities, documentation, and other administrative responsibilities.  

• 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.   

• KOL Speaker training for medical events 

• Support educational efforts, such as wet lab activities, by proctoring such events and being onsite as necessary.   

• Ensure cross-functional collaboration, and interface effectively with other Medical Affairs functions, as well as other departments, such as Commercial, QA, Research and Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Market Access. 

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

• Comply with all credentialing requirements for any healthcare institution (e.g., hospital) that 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.   

• Work with Integrity and Compliance observing all laws, industry standards, and company policies. 

Key Performance Indicators

• Organizational Objectives and Goals 

• Departmental / Team Objectives and Goals 

• Individual Objectives identified during the Performance Management Process 

• Integrity and Compliance 

• KOL Engagement and Relationship Management  

• Quantity and quality of Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) submitted proposals in alignment with ALCON’s Global Medical Affairs strategy. 

• Quantity and quality of medical presentations delivered to ECPs 

• Impact of the research proposals 

• Quantity, quality, and content of monthly KOL interactions with scientific purpose 

• Quantity and quality of support KOLs presenting on Alcon products (e.g., Advisory Boards and other non-promotional meetings)  

• Quantity and quality of new KOL relationships 

• Ability to effectively address clinical questions and product complaints.  

• Quantity and quality of insights collected and reported from the scientific exchange with ECPs. 

• Quantity and quality of Identified KOLs who are qualified for Medical Affairs and R&D activities. 

• Quantity and quality of insights collected by the MSL at attended congresses, symposia, and training events. 

• Quantity and quality of presentations delivered at congresses, symposia, and training events. 

• Quantity and quality of SoV opportunities generated in the assigned territory.  

• Number and quality of events supported (such as presentations, webinars, focus groups, user meetings, advisory boards, symposia, customer training events)  

• Training compliance report for the MSL 

• MSL Evaluation from internal stakeholders 

• Contributions to educational materials, and impactful internal training presentations 

• MSL feedback from KOL and other HCP 

• Level of collaboration and successful execution of integrated initiatives 

Experience

• Prefer MD/OD Advanced Degree in Ophthalmology or Optometry 

• Deep knowledge of eye diseases including ophthalmic surgical procedures and optometry. 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a surgical ophthalmology or optometry 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 designing and executing clinical trials, in particular in the post-market phase. 

• Experience in scientific presentations and basic experience in medical writing and biostatistics. 

• Broad 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. 

What You'll Bring to Alcon:

•        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

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off, and much more!

• Travel Requirements: 50-60%

• Relocation assistance: No

• Sponsorship available: No    

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Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.