SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Clinical Data Managers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Clinical Data Management Director (CDM Director)
  • Clinical Data Management Manager (CDM Manager)
  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Informatics Manager
  • Data Deliverables Manager
  • Data Management Manager
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What do Clinical Data Managers do?

Clinical Data Managers (CDMs) play a crucial role in the field of clinical research, primarily responsible for collecting, validating, and managing data generated during clinical trials or studies. Their main objective is to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of data throughout the research process. CDMs work closely with clinical research teams, including clinical researchers, biostatisticians, and regulatory affairs personnel, to establish data management plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) tailored to specific studies.

In their daily tasks, CDMs oversee the creation and implementation of clinical databases, which are essential for compiling data from various sources, including participant records, treatment protocols, and results of tests. They utilize specialized software and tools to design case report forms (CRFs), which are utilized to collect data during trials. Once the data is collected, CDMs engage in rigorous processes of data cleaning and validation, identifying discrepancies or anomalies that could compromise the study's findings.

CDMs also ensure compliance with regulatory standards set by organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH). Their role often involves collaborating with clinical monitoring teams to ensure that data collection adheres to predefined protocols and quality standards. As the clinical trial progresses, CDMs are responsible for generating reports and summaries that provide insights into the data, assisting research teams in making informed decisions based on the outcomes.

In addition to project-specific duties, CDMs are often involved in developing and training fellow team members on data management processes and best practices. As the landscape of clinical research continues to evolve, the role of Clinical Data Managers is increasingly focused on adopting new technologies, such as electronic data capture (EDC) systems and data analytics tools, making them integral to the successful execution of clinical trials and the push towards evidence-based medicine.

What the work actually is

  • Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks.
  • Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information.
  • Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
  • Develop project-specific data management plans that address areas such as coding, reporting, or transfer of data, database locks, and work flow processes.
  • Monitor work productivity or quality to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Medicine and Dentistry Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Associate's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Getting Information
  • Processing Information
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Tools

  • Mobile phones Smartphones
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Portable data input terminals Handheld computers

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Clinical Data Managers earn in South Africa?

Clinical Data Managers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Clinical Data Managers do?

Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks, Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information and Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.