Ausbilder/Ausbilderin von Pharmareferenten/Pharmareferentinnen

Publications related to this profession include Bildungspraxis - didacta Magazin für berufliche Bildung, CHEManager, chemiehoch3.de, Innovationsindikatoren Chemie und Pharma 2025, Pharmakon, Pharma Relations, pharmind - die pharmazeutische industrie, and PZ Pharmazeutische Zeitung.

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in vocational education and training is increasing. VR allows trainees to learn basic machine operation skills in a virtual workshop, while AR can project warnings or operating instructions onto work steps, for example, via data glasses. These technologies enable learners to practice hands-on and action-oriented without fear of making mistakes. Furthermore, digitalization is transforming the field of education, with digital elements expanding classic teaching concepts and educational offerings increasingly moving online.

Trainers of pharmaceutical representatives typically work in training and classroom settings or in office spaces.

Core competencies fundamentally required in this profession include didactics, methodology, pharmacology, and teaching/training (extracurricular). Additional competencies that may be significant for this profession include pharmaceutical law, health economics, learning objective control, marketing, microbiology, public health, pedagogical psychology, rhetoric, and sales training.

Trainers of pharmaceutical representatives impart medical and scientific fundamentals such as chemistry and physics, biology, anatomy, and pathology. They utilize their didactic, pedagogical, contact, and communication skills. When planning lessons, they consider that participants have varying prior knowledge. They also train future pharmaceutical representatives in general conversational psychology and specific communication techniques. To stay professionally up-to-date, they research current information on specific teaching topics online and consult specialist books and journals for training-relevant news. They often carry out their training activities as a secondary occupation. They teach in training rooms of private educational institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, or educational centers.

An exemplary gross basic monthly salary ranges from €5,424 to €6,439. This information is sourced from the tariff collection of the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales and serves as an orientation. No claims can be derived from this information.

This profession is found in vocational schools, post-secondary non-tertiary education in healthcare schools (e.g., private vocational academies and schools in the pharmaceutical sector), and educational institutions of the pharmaceutical industry. It also operates within economic and employer associations and trade unions (e.g., Chambers of Industry and Commerce - IHK).

Employers often expect further training in pharmacy or a corresponding Studium (university degree).

Relevant Studium (university degree) fields for this profession include: Pharmacy (undergraduate, excluding state examination), Pharmacy (state examination), and Pharmacy (postgraduate).

Trainers for Pharmaceutical Representatives find employment in schools of the pharmaceutical industry, with private educational providers, and at Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

Trainers for Pharmaceutical Representatives prepare participants for the advanced training examination to become a certified Pharmaceutical Representative through courses.

Job and applicant platforms for this field include: Bionity.com Karriere, Gesundheit.Jobs, JOBNetWORK Chemie Pharmajob, pharm.de, pharmajobs.com, Pharma-Zeitung.de, salesjob, StaffSanté.fr.

Key professional associations and unions for this occupation include: Berufsverband der Pharmaberater e.V. (BdP) Deutschland (Professional Association of Pharmaceutical Consultants), IGBCE - Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie und Energie (Industrial Union of Mining, Chemical and Energy Workers), and ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (United Services Union).

This profession involves taking responsibility for individuals, working on screens (e.g., preparing and reviewing lessons), and working in classrooms/training rooms (imparting medical and scientific fundamentals, training pharmaceutical representatives in conversational psychology). Work also takes place in office environments (at private educational institutions, with pharmaceutical manufacturers, in educational institutions of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK)).

Work materials include timetables, lesson concepts, teaching materials, specialized literature, exam questions, and assignments. Office equipment such as PCs, internet access, and telephones are used. Presentation tools include beamers, smartboards, and whiteboards.

Trainers for pharmaceutical representatives give lessons in various subjects, correct assignments, and often participate in examination boards. In addition to scientific and medical basic subjects, they teach pharmacology. They convey knowledge about the healthcare system, the pharmaceutical market, and pharmaceutical associations. Their curriculum also includes business administration and economics, data processing, and marketing. Trainers for pharmaceutical representatives also provide instruction in sales psychology and communication skills, and conduct specific product trainings.

Common entry professions or activities include 'Geprüfter Pharmareferent/Geprüfte Pharmareferentin' (Certified Pharmaceutical Representative).

Adaptation training helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in pharmacy, in-company training and further education, adult education, presentation techniques). Furthermore, the trend of using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in education and training can develop into an important further training topic for trainers of pharmaceutical representatives.

Further professional and career opportunities arise, depending on professional background, through an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (e.g., in Marketing, Sales, or Pharmacy). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Conduct lectures to prepare for the advanced training examination to become a certified Pharmaceutical Representative (Pharmareferent). Provide instruction, for example, in pharmacology, the structure of the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical associations, business administration, and economics. Impart practical knowledge in sales psychology and communication skills. Conduct product trainings, design course content, organize teaching units. Carry out learning objective controls and participate in examination committees.

Legal regulations for the activity are defined by the Law on the Traffic of Medicinal Products (Arzneimittelgesetz - AMG) from 12.12.2005, last amended on 23.10.2024, and the Law on the Traffic of Veterinary Medicinal Products (Tierarzneimittelgesetz - TAMG), proclaimed on 27.09.2021, last amended on 04.03.2026.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only include partial activities of the original profession; others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Trainer for Pharmaceutical Representatives (Ausbilder/in für Pharmareferenten/-referentinnen): Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually short induction): Pharmaceutical Representative (Pharmareferent/Pharmareferentin). A list of all possible degrees of relatedness can be found here: Explanations of the individual degrees of relatedness.