Clinical Research Coordinators
What is a Clinical Research Coordinator?
A Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) is a critical component of the clinical research team, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of clinical trials and ensuring that they adhere to regulatory guidelines and protocols. CRCs serve as a liaison between study sponsors, investigators, and participants. Their primary role involves planning studies, recruiting participants, managing trial logistics, ensuring data integrity, and maintaining compliance with both federal regulations and ethical standards. CRCs collect and record data, monitor participant safety, facilitate communication among stakeholders, and often play a significant role in the preparation of study-related documentation, including informed consent forms and study reports. They are instrumental in facilitating the smooth execution of clinical trials, thus contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care.
Tasks
- Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols.
- Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.
- Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.
- Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.
- Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Video conferencing software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Spreadsheet software
Tools Used
- Mobile phones
- Notebook computers
- Digital camcorders or video cameras
- Laser fax machine
-
Photocopiers
Knowledge
-
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.
-
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
-
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.
Skills
-
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.
-
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
-
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
-
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Abilities
-
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
-
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.
-
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
-
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
-
Bachelor's degree
-
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
-
Some college, no degree
Work Activities
-
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
-
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
-
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
- Schedule activities or facility use.
- Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
- Communicate organizational information to customers or other stakeholders.
- Prepare operational progress or status reports.
- Maintain regulatory or compliance documentation.
Work Interests
-
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.
-
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.
-
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.