Activities and Work Environment for a Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical research coordinator jobs provide a critical link to help ensure that new medicines are safe and effective. Clinical research coordinators and associates monitor patient responses to therapeutic treatments, such as drugs, medical devices, and medical procedures.
The clinical research coordinator is responsible for coordinating the recruiting and screening of patients who qualify to try new treatments. They also monitor and record patient progress in line with the requirements of the study. To ensure efficiency in collecting data, the clinical research coordinator may use automated lab equipment to evaluate and record test results, affirming that the study protocol was properly followed by the site and that it meets healthcare regulations for studies in human patients. The clinical research coordinator also may be part of the initial group that develops the methods used in the study as well as help prepare the final report.
The work environments for most clinical research coordinators are usually in large hospitals, clinics, or independent laboratories. Some trial protocols may require that the clinical research coordinators work nights, weekends, and potentially holidays. Additionally, some clinical research coordinators have home research jobs where they write reports and analyze data from their home offices. They are still responsible, of course, for visiting each site to ensure that patient samples, records, and tests are conducted using the study protocol. They also ensure that any adverse reactions are immediately reported to the institutional review board that oversees the human trial.
Areas to Emphasize During the Interview and on Your Resume
Clinical research coordinators and associates must demonstrate a working knowledge with the requirements outlined by the Food and Drug Administration for human trials. The research coordinator should also be comfortable instructing doctors and nurses on the proper implementation of the clinical trial at the site, as well as the issues and dangers caused by failing to follow the study protocol. Because some trials routinely use a blinded placebo, instructing the physician and staff on the importance of adhering strictly to the protocols will require superior communication and negotiation skills.
A candidate for a clinical research coordinator position should also demonstrate an attention to detail with their work. In addition, because clinical trial data may use a blinded placebo, the coordinator will need to show discretion in how patients are classified and selected for each treatment arm. With all healthcare positions, patient records and all clinical data with patient identifiable information must be kept confidential. In addition, the clinical research coordinator should show excellent project management skills, as the deadlines for enrollment of patients and reporting data are usually set in advance.
Both written and oral communication skills are also important for successful coordinators. Highlighting times when the applicant had to utilize formal documentation with multiple fields kept on patients will be a desired trait to demonstrate. Clinical coordinators may need to present findings of their particular site to the entire research group in a formal presentation. Demonstrating skills in presenting as well as developing slides may be another skill that should be highlighted in the applicant’s background. The applicant also should be able to demonstrate the knowledge on how to record a patient history, as well as how to apply clinical trial protocols to patient histories and disease states.
Applicants who are able to demonstrate experience in medical research, nursing, or pharmaceuticals have a distinct advantage that should be highlighted on resumes and during interviews.
Job Outlook
The outlook for clinical research jobs should be excellent through 2016, as the number of jobs is projected to exceed the number of applicants. The median salary in 2006 for a clinical research coordinator was approximately $50,000 per year.
Education and Training Requirements
Because clinical research coordinators work closely with medical personnel as well as with medical researchers, most have a bachelor’s degree or are a registered nurse, or RN. Some clinical research coordinators may also have a master’s level degree in a research area. Some employers may desire that the clinical research coordinator also be certified through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Promotional opportunities to clinical research and director jobs are usually reserved for individuals who have completed a PhD in a science or health area.
Conclusion
Clinical research coordinators and associates are a vital link in hospitals and clinics to the research of new treatments and medications. For candidates who have a background in the life sciences as well as in the clinical environment, the position offers opportunities to enter a research job outside of an academic environment. As pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are constantly developing new medications and therapeutic treatment options, the demand for clinical research coordinators should remain strong through 2016.
