- Clinical research associates work with scientists and laboratories running clinical or experimental trials. These trials study the risks, side effects and benefits of new or improved pharmaceutical or therapeutic products, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and medical devices. Clinical research associates meet with volunteers or patients, conduct research using Food and Drug Administration-approved methodology, and ensure that all federal and local regulations are followed. They find employment with the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies overseeing pharmaceutical and medical research, and private companies.
- Certificate programs provide the education necessary to work as a clinical research associate. Typically, programs require applicants to have an associate degree or related experience in clinical research. However, graduate certificate programs require more education, such as a bachelor's degree, licensure as a registered nurse, or certification in a health technology. Core course work includes the implementation and planning of clinical trials, research ethics, FDA regulations, medical terminology, and a study of the clinical aspects in the origin and spread of diseases. After certification, clinical research associates continue their education to remain current with new developments in the field.
- Prospective clinical research associates should be comfortable speaking with doctors, medical researchers and volunteers/patients. Strong writing skills are important as associates must report findings to the agencies or companies paying for the research. Employers look for associates with computer skills, including experience with spreadsheets; organizational skills; technical writing ability; and the ability to multitask.
- Clinical research associate jobs vary from employer to employer. Some researchers travel to multiple job sites while others are stationed in an office overseeing research and development. Some researchers select the venues for clinical trials, determine their staffing, maintain trial documents and ensure regulations are followed. Other clinical research associates travel to monitor and retrieve results personally, then work from home compiling the data and writing reports before submitting them electronically. Working on multiple studies concurrently is not unusual.
- In addition to helping study and test new medical treatments and devices, clinical research associates can find jobs around the world working in health care settings for governments, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms and private medical research facilities. According to Salary.com, salaries for entry-level clinical research associates ranged from about $45,000 to $68,000 in July 2010. The same site reports that 60 percent of clinical research associates have bachelor's degrees, while those with master's degrees fill approximately 27 percent of the available jobs.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -