Job Title: Medical Writer
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Submitted on: 17-May-05
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My position is entirely supported by a medical doctor who is a very well-
known specialist in his field. He is the holder of multiple funds from
federal and private sources, and employs me to help him research, write,
edit, review, and compile information on a variety of projects. I have
a master's degree in communications.
The corporate culture is parochial and full of petty annoyances -- for
example, although I am exempt from overtime, I have to fill out a paper
time sheet and get it signed by the office manager each month. For
example, I almost never took lunch the first month I was here, yet on
coming back from a two-hour lunch was 'reprimanded' by a secretary for
taking too long of a lunch! Wait, my defacto supervisor is a
SECRETARY?? Also, the initial two-week vacation allotment to new
employees is stingy, particularly when if you call off due to inclement
weather you are forced to mark off a vacation day although "the choice
is up to you." Hm, dying to get to work in a snowstorm in my thirty-
mile commute or taking a vacation day, bit of a Hobson's choice if you
ask me.
Culture (and my particular boss, for her own reasons) is very
unreceptive to the idea of telecommuting although my work and position
would be ideal -- I don't answer anyone's phone except mine and almost
all documents I work on and research are electronic/internet based.
Forced to 'put in my time' to the letter even though I am a knowledge
worker makes me feel unmotivated. However my boss is very nice but I am
bored in this job. The topic is a bit too narrow for my taste and there
is not enough variety or interaction with others - this is not my boss
or employer's fault, however. On the contrary, Pittsburgh is on the
whole a LOUSY environment for professional writers (just not enough jobs
or world class companies) so I am very grateful to have this job,
despite its limitations.
On the whole, the University is a good employer, offering a particularly
priceless benefit to parents of college-aged children, FULL TUITION
reimbursement for undergrads claimed on your tax return after 6 months
service. Obviously this benefit translates to a saving/salary boost of
approximately $40,000 per year. Hard to beat. Salaries are perhaps a
little lower than for equivalent positions in industry. Health care and
dental care are affordable, exellent value and readily available. Also,
the week off between Christmas and New Year is a good benefit, but most
people would rather have 3 weeks discretionary vacation, I think. HR
does a lousy job of reaching out and contacting employees making them
aware of all the good things offered. Their intranet is pretty crap --
I've sent electronic mail to HR sites and NEVER even received auto-
response. Come on!!
On the whole U of Pitt offers a good employment deal. People are nice
and friendly. Atmosphere is less cutthroat than I've experienced in
private industry. Dress code more relaxed. Still a very authoritarian,
old fashioned feel to the organization from this employee perspective.
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