Clinical Research Coordinators
Clinical research coordinators plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. They direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. They may evaluate and analyze clinical data.
A clinical research coordinator career progression (CRC) is responsible for conducting clinical trials using good clinical practice (GCP) under the auspices of a principal investigator (PI).
In a clinical research coordinator job, one performs specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms. They schedule subjects for procedures or inpatient stays as required by study protocols; assess the eligibility of subjects through screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians; prepare documentation, like protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports; and, inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.
They record adverse events and side effects data, monitor study activities, maintain required records, and oversee subject enrolment.
A CRC certification is required after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and candidates are required to have considerable skills, knowledge and work-related experience. The required skills include communication, coordination, critical thinking, problem-solving, judgement and decision making, learning strategies, persuasion, service orientation, monitoring and social perceptiveness.
Research coordinators need knowledge of medicine and dentistry, customer service and administration. They work in government and private research organisations, hospitals, and laboratories, and clinical research coordinators’ salary is commensurate to the nature of the work.
Successful research coordinators should have leadership qualities, be innovative, persistent, cooperative, and have concern for others.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.Sc. Clinical Research
- PG Diploma Clinical Research
- B.Sc. Human Biology
- B.Sc. Pharmacy
- B.Sc. Microbiology
Tasks
- Solicit industry-sponsored trials through contacts and professional organizations.
- Review scientific literature, participate in continuing education activities, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain current knowledge of clinical studies affairs and issues.
- Register protocol patients with appropriate statistical centers as required.
- Prepare for or participate in quality assurance audits conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups.
- Participate in preparation and management of research budgets and monetary disbursements.
- Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.
- Interpret protocols and advise treating physicians on appropriate dosage modifications or treatment calculations based on patient characteristics.
- Develop advertising and other informational materials to be used in subject recruitment.
- Contact industry representatives to ensure equipment and software specifications necessary for successful study completion.
- Confer with health care professionals to determine the best recruitment practices for studies.
Progression Routes
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