The Role of a Product Manager

In the fast-paced world of health tech, the role of a Product Manager (PM) is vital. Many assume PMs simply create roadmaps and oversee timelines, but their responsibilities extend far beyond that. They serve as the bridge between engineering, design, marketing, and business strategy, ensuring that products align with user needs and company goals.

If you're considering a career shift into product management, especially from a clinical background, this guide will give you an in-depth look at what a Product Manager really does, the skills required, and how to transition into this highly sought-after role.

What Does a Product Manager Do?

A Product Manager is responsible for defining the vision and strategy of a product, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that product development aligns with business objectives. Their day-to-day tasks can vary depending on the type of product and industry, but key responsibilities include:

• Product Strategy & Vision: Defining the long-term direction of the product based on market research and business goals. Maybe you're creating a new product from scratch (in the biz that's called taking a product from zero to one) or maybe you're strategizing iterative improvements on a stable product that thousands of users already rely on. 

• Roadmap Development: Prioritizing features and setting development timelines.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Working closely with engineering, design, sales, and marketing teams to build and launch products.

• User Research & Feedback: Understanding customer pain points and incorporating insights into product improvements. In healthcare these users may be other business, clinicians, or even patients using your product directly. 

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using analytics to measure product success and iterating based on insights.

• Stakeholder Communication: Aligning internal and external teams on product priorities and updates.

Why Clinicians Make Great Product Managers

Clinicians possess unique skills that make them strong candidates for product management roles, particularly in health tech, digital health, and medical AI. These include:

• Deep domain expertise in healthcare, providing valuable insights for medical product development.

• Problem-solving abilities honed through diagnosing and treating patients.

• Strong communication skills developed from patient interactions and interdisciplinary teamwork.

• Analytical thinking from interpreting clinical data and research.

• Empathy for end users, making them excellent at user-centered product design. Who better to create products for clinicians than a fellow clinician!

How to Transition into Product Management

If you're looking to pivot into product management from a clinical background, here are the key steps to take:

1. Build Product Management Skills

• Learn Agile methodologies and Scrum frameworks.

• Understand roadmap planning tools like Jira, Asana, and Trello.

• Develop knowledge of user experience (UX) principles and design thinking.

• Gain experience with data analytics tools such as Google Analytics and SQL.

2. Gain Hands-on Experience

• Leverage your healthcare experience: Work on projects related to digital health, EMR systems, or medical AI.

• Join a health tech startup or volunteer for side projects.

• Consider a PM bootcamp such as those offered by Product School or General Assembly.

3. Optimize Your Resume & Network

• Highlight transferable skills like leadership, data-driven decision-making, and problem-solving.

• Connect with health tech recruiters and PM mentors via LinkedIn and industry events.

• Apply for associate or junior PM roles in healthcare startups or established med-tech companies.

If you want to hear directly from someone who has made the transition from clinical care, look no further. I've made this transition myself. You can watch an interview I did about the transition and my advice for others looking to do the same below.

How much do product managers earn?

Salaries for Product Managers vary by company, experience, and location. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Product Manager in the U.S. is:

• Entry-level PM: $85,000 - $110,000

• Mid-level PM: $110,000 - $140,000

• Senior PM: $140,000 - $180,000+

• PM Leaders can command even higher salaries, particularly in AI and SaaS companies.

Final Thoughts

Product Management is an exciting and dynamic career path that allows you to shape innovative solutions in tech. If you're a clinician looking to transition, your analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and user-centered approach make you a strong candidate for PM roles in health tech and beyond.

Looking for product management opportunities? Explore open PM roles on the Hey Health Tech job board and start your journey today!