Anonymous wrote:Is there a good resource to learn more about the different divisions that one can apply to?

The FDA website.

Is there a good resource to learn more about the different divisions that one can apply to?

My center structures it a bit differently in that there is no time commitment to get the market pay above the GS scale.

Starting salary for many specialities (specialities that pay more on the outside world get higher pay within my center as well) is around 145-150 with an extra 2k per year per board certification. Quick jump up to 165-170 with completion of some basic course work that the center offers and another jump up in a few years determined through a peer review process.

There is no time commitment and physician loan replacement seems to come and go (this has not been available more recently).

You can telework anywhere from 2x week up to full time. Work ebbs and flows but If you work efficiently a person can usually get it done in a normal week with occasional work in the evenings and weekends. That being said work schedule is nothing like clinical practice. Many areas will allow/encourage you to keep up clinical practice through professional developement day during work week. Or I know many who moonlight during off hours.

I'm an FDA medical officer (non-supervisory). I love my work, as it involves knowledge of clinical medicine, research methods, an evolving legal landscape, and business considerations of the pharmaceutical industry. (I work with developing new drugs.) There is a lot of variety among different physician positions. My recommended approach would be to submit your CV directly to parts of FDA that interest you. There are many opportunities for physicians to move around within FDA.

Hours are often a standard 40 hour work week. A few months a year I work on nights and weekends, because new drugs must be evaluated within a certain time frame. Pay depends on the number of years of experience, as well as the specialty in which you trained. I consider my salary to be competitive. My salary was about 140K 8 years ago when I started, but I am not exactly sure of what a starting salary would be now.

Links to some career information on the FDA website:

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/CareerDescriptions/ucm113289.htm

http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/

There is a physicians comparability allowance that pays up to $30k extra a year with a 3 year commitment. Amount varies based upon years of experience. Base pay can go up to GS-15/10.

A NP or pharmD may get hired into a reviewer position but they not medical officers so the pay scale would be different

Medical Officer = M.D.

Are medical officers only MDs or PhDs? Are applicants with master's degree + many years of experience ever hired into these positions?

GS scale but there is also a large bonus for medical officers.

Anonymous wrote:well you know what the pay will be (or at least the range) because you'll be applying to the GS scale.

For CDRR at least, pay is title 38 pay which is linked to the VA pay scale. Not certain for other centers.

Which center, what role (medical offer in a review division, in generics, devices, CFSAN all have different roles/responsibilities.

Anonymous wrote:well you know what the pay will be (or at least the range) because you'll be applying to the GS scale.

+1

The work will depend on the Center.

well you know what the pay will be (or at least the range) because you'll be applying to the GS scale.

Most but not all review new drug or generic drug applications.

Can anyone comment on what the hours/responsibilities are like? What is they typical starting pay? Glassdoor says 160k is average salary but I don't know what starting is. People who have FDA experience, feel free to comment on what it's like working there as well. Thanks!!!