There are two main career options for those aspire to become successful clinical researchers in leading companies. They can either become Biostatisticians or Clinical research managers.
A Clinical Researcher or Clinical Research Associate is supposed to set up, supervise and effectively wrap up clinical trials. He is responsible for carrying out detailed trails prior to medical product launch in the market. He is supposed to cross check the side effects, efficiency and risks involved with the use of a particular medicinal product.
Key responsibilities of a Clinical Researcher:
• They need to compare the new product with the currently prescribed treatment.
• Conducting surveys and gathering data is also their key role.
• Evaluating the safety of medications, devices, diagnostic products, etc. to ensure their effectiveness.
• They are supposed to develop and note down the trial protocols with the purpose and the methodology.
• They need to present the trial protocols to a steering committee.
• They also design the case record forms.
• Clinical researchers coordinate with the Ethics Committee to protect the safety rights of the trial subjects
• It is also the responsibility of the Clinical Researcher to train the staff aptly to an industry-oriented standard
• They also discuss the results of the various tests with medical statisticians who there on frame the technical trial report
• All documentation of the research work also needs to be carried out by them.
Graduates with a degree in Life sciences or Medical sciences are suited to this career profile. A background in chemistry, dentistry, biochemistry, anatomy, biology, biomedical science, microbiology, medicine, nursing, immunology, molecular biology, toxicology, physiology, pharmacology or pharmacy may also prove helpful.
A pre-entry Post-Graduation Degree can be an added factor. Nowadays there are Masters and diploma courses available in clinical research as well. A relevant PhD can be to your advantage in several companies.
The desire to have a career in the field of clinical research study is one aspect, but getting certified is another. You need to get Certified Clinical Research Associates or CRA as it is vital for assessing your monitoring ability. No leading company would hire a researcher whose monitoring job could cost them significant financial losses or even delays in the launch of the product.
Certification gives you an upper edge over other job contenders, and provides a good opportunity to negotiate for a good salary. Following the protocol and adhering to federal norms is vital.
You should try and attend the seminars conducted by various organizations like the ACRP or Association of Clinical Research Professional and SOCRA or Society of Clinical Research Associates as they offer CRA certification and Certified Clinical Research Professional exams respectively.
Some of the necessary set of skills that a Clinical Research Associate needs to have is:
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Strong analytical, research, math and statistical skills
• The capacity to build effectual relations with colleagues
• The ability to propel others
• A detail-oriented multi-tasking approach
• Well versed in computer skills
• Good observational power and attention to detail
• Brainstorming and decision making skills
The biostatistician does methodology research and performs statistical programming. The other tasks assigned include designing and analysis for clinical trial projects. Along with coordination and planning, the biostatisticians are also involved with doing statistical analyses, summaries and reports.
The CRM or the clinical research manager’s job profiles includes supervision of designs, case report formation, writing protocols, and also provide information for clinical trials. These are also reviewed and then submitted to the data management group.
Relevant training in Clinical Research more often than not takes place in-house while already working on the job. In case of extra demand on the part of the employer, external courses can be used. The general training course will comprise of:
• Clinical research and data management
• Good clinical practice
• Standard operating procedures
• Ethical and quality issues
• Personal development
• IT skills
Freshmen graduates with no work experience in the area should not join the field without prior preparation. They should better join a lower level job as a clinical trials administrator or clinical data coordinator and gain necessary experience in the process.
A lot of relevant experience can be gained in the diverse therapeutic areas and stages of clinical research. Ample work experience will help individuals qualify more easily to the designation of a Clinical Research Associate.
Your resume is not enough to package you as an attractive offer to leading companies. You have to network amongst the pharmaceutical companies to climb up the ladder. Being in touch with employees or professors and other experts in this area can help. Internships and probation job offers should not be rejected but used as a tool which would only add to your future qualifications. Volunteering work for NGO’s and other similar organizations can be taken up. It is vital that you enjoy what you do, and if you like researching then this profession is one of the best paying options available in the research industry.
A potential job growth of 14% between 2006 and 2016 has been predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the field of Clinical Research and Laboratory jobs. The average salary drawn by a Clinical Researcher is between $55,000 -$65,000.
To get into a multinational corporation as a clinical researcher you need to dig beyond the job boards, newspapers and chat rooms. Get hold of some pharmaceutical magazines which have a list of the upcoming clinical research companies and job openings. Remember that even though the competition can be fierce your certifications and earlier experience would help you to get an upper edge. Your experience with smaller companies prior to certifications can do wonders for your pay package. A beginner can earn anything from $30,000 - $40,000 per year, and experienced personnel can earn more than $100,000.
After being a clinical researcher for some years you can move up to the post of:
• Clinical Data Coordinator
• Clinical Research Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Clinical Research Investigator
Added perks and benefits may be provided.
The basic functioning area of clinical research is essentially based on Clinical Trails Monitoring. Often direct interaction with sponsor companies is also required. Hence for all those individuals who have a flair for a research oriented job and are confident of quality communication skills, the job of a Clinical Research Associate is just the thing for them.
