Clinical Research Coordinator Certification

May 11

Clinical research coordinator (CRC) play an integral role in all kinds of medical studies. Working under the direction of the principal investigator, who designs, conducts, and manages clinical trial; the clinical research coordinator supports, organizes, and facilitates the daily activities of the clinical trial.

A Clinical research coordinator manages, oversees, executes tasks and day to day clinical trial activities. They also work in conjunction with sponsors, departments, and institutions to manage finances, obtain compliance, and work through personal issues.

Their responsibilities include the planning and management of the following initiatives:

study
enrollment
maintenance
training
compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations

CRCs engage directly with the trial participants, screening them for eligibility. They also help develop and implement recruitment strategies and work with all the available teams during the trial period.

In the lab, CRCs carry our experiments, medical studies, and clinical researches. A CRC works closely with labs, medical centers, and research hospitals to evaluate research protocols and seek approval from regulatory committees.

To get certified as a CRC, you must have either:

A bachelor's or higher degree in health sciences in clinical research administration and submission of a fully detailed resume that documents at least 3,000 hours of performed designated duties
A Registered Nurse (RN), LVN, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or an associate degree and a submission of a detailed report that documents at least 4,500 hours of performed designated duties.
Worked as a laboratory technician, medical assistant, or a high school diploma and submission of a detailed report that documents at least 6,000 hours of performed designated duties.

For those with a bachelor’s, a degree in medical technology, public health administration, or microbiology, with an additional two years master's degree in management positions (optional) is ideals. Human anatomy, biostatistics, epidemiology, health care management, biochemistry, and mathematics, are the courses typically required for these majors.

Management and communications experience coupled with interpersonal and multitasking skills are essential job skills to possess. Internships and/or low entry-level jobs as health care workers or lab technicians should also be considered to get familiarized with the working environment. It is important to note that there may be a substitution for hours of qualifying work experience.

After qualifying, you need to pass an exam and get certified. A CRC certification lets you practice legally and can see you earning from as little as $48,000 to as much as $60,000 annually.

To learn more, take a course in clinical research coordination to help develop and refine your skills before you go on to get the clinical research coordinator certification.

Take courses from CCRPS and learn more on how to become a clinical research professional.

Featured