Current job title: Senior Administrative
Assistant - clinical
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Department: Clinical
Years worked in this industry: 6
Years worked in this department: 1
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I was an
intellectual property litigation paralegal for 30 years prior to switching
to biotechs. My legal background made the transition easy, and the pay was
commensurate with my job skills.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 13
Typical work hours: 8-5, but very
flexible.
Weekends or overtime hours: No and
don’t get paid if I do. Just take comp time off.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): approx. $65,000
Benefits (direct or indirect):
medical/dental/short and long term disability/life insurance/401K but no
contributions from company/performance based bonus (5% of salary) plus
ability to earn bigger bonus for our stretch goals/flexible
benefits-medical and dependent care
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
A typical day on the job: Responding to
clinicals needs, creating spreadsheets, travel plans, arranging for
conferences/meetings. Different each day, never boring and people are
terrific.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: No stress, truly treated like
a professional, good job for someone close to retirement--will work until
I'm 70
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Can’t think of any.
Type of workspace/office:
large cubicle that affords some privacy
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Travel, maintaining journal
articles in reference manager, supply ordering, maintaining clinical trial
documents in electronic form and hard copy filing.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Ability to multitask, attention to detail, ability to anticipate needs of
team members.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
computer, printers, scanners, coffee maker.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
There isn’t a program that I can’t learn in a few hours. Probably the most
computer literate person in office.
Critical soft skills: Good
communication which requires excellent listening and comprehending skills.
Pace of this position: Varies
Geographical region: Southwest U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™