Pharmacovigilance: A Complete Guide to Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Training
What Is Pharmacovigilance? - Definition, Jobs, Salary, And Pharmacovigilance Certification
Pharmacovigilance
A Guide All About Pharmacovigilance
To increase your chances of getting hired or promoted, scroll below or enroll in our CCRPS Advanced Pharmacovigilance and Argus Safety Certification (APVASC)TM Course which covers drug safety and pharmacovigilance training
What is pharmacovigilance?
Pharmacovigilance Is The Study Of Two Primary Outcomes In The Pharmaceutical Industry:
Safety And Efficacy.
Essentially, it asks does a drug work and is it safe?
Pharmacovigilance is the process of monitoring the effects of drugs, both new and existing ones. This includes collecting data, analyzing it, and taking steps to prevent any negative effects. Pharmacovigilance must happen throughout the entire life cycle of a drug, from when it is first being developed to long after it has been released on the market.
What is the Aim Of Pharmacovigilance?
Pharmacovigilance is required through the entire life cycle of a drug – starting at the preclinical development stage and going right through to continued monitoring of drugs once they hit the market.
Pharmacovigilance includes collecting, analyzing, monitoring, and preventing adverse effects in new drugs and therapies.
It can be broken down into three main sub-specialisms:
Surveillance: Surveillance is geared towards risk management and signal detection. Roles in this specialism focus analysis of drug safety information gathered from other professionals. Surveillance is responsible for creating development safety update reports (DSURs) for drugs in clinical research and periodic benefit-risk evaluation reports (PBRER) for drugs that are on the market.
Operations: Operations focus on collecting and recording information during preclinical development, early clinical trials, and gathering real-world evidence (RWE) of adverse events reported by medical professionals and patients. Operations may also create standard operating procedures (SOPs), individual case study reports, and regulatory reports.
Systems: Systems is concerned with the development of robust systems to store and manage data relating to pharmacovigilance. It involves keeping abreast of changing regulations and guidance in the pharmacovigilance industry and ensuring compliance at all levels of an organization.
The Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV) is responsible for ensuring that an organization's pharmacovigilance system meets all applicable requirements.
What is Pharmacovigilance Training?
If you’re looking to boost your career prospects in the pharmaceutical industry, drug safety training is a great string to add to your bow. Whether you want to move into clinical research or enhance your profile in your existing company, certification is crucial.
If you run a company and want to provide your staff with drug safety training to increase their knowledge and provide a safer working environment, our course is for you too.
We even help train Senior PVs from Fortune 500 companies to improve their efficiency and compliance.
No experience? No worries!
Our triple-accredited Advanced Pharmacovigilance and Argus Safety Certification (APVASC)TM is designed to teach you all you need to know in just 1 week!
Recognized Drug Safety Training I 180 Hours I On-Demand I Accredited I 25+ Modules I Training Compliance I Instant Enrolment I 1+Wk Certification I
What do Pharmacovigilance Officers do?
The exact nature of each role varies, but in essence, Pharmacovigilance Officers (PVs) collect adverse event data on drugs (Phase 4) to analyse and create usage warnings for the drug.
Some roles insist on physicians, nurses, or those with a Master of Science degree. A Master’s in pharmacovigilance is your best route into the industry – but that takes up to 2 years and is very expensive.
Your quicker route into the industry is with a drug safety accreditation.
Please note: A minimum of an associate degree is required to take any training course, including ours.
How To Get Into Pharmacovigilance
The CCRPS pharmacovigilance certification to provide advanced training for entry level pharmacovigilance to ensure you are fully prepared for a career in drug safety monitoring. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing advanced pharmacovigilance training to students at all stages of their careers.
The courses provide you with theory and practical-based learning in pharmacovigilance and give you vital industry experience.
Our pharmacovigilance training courses meet
WHO-ISoP and FDA guidelines and are accredited by the ACCRE and other recognized accreditation boards.
You’ll learn the basics of pharmacovigilance, why it’s necessary, its history, and how to find career opportunities within the industry.
You’ll look at different methodologies, pharmacovigilance regulation, pharmacovigilance audit and risk management, and vaccine pharmacovigilance.
You’ll also discover where to find further information to enhance your pharmacovigilance knowledge and study individual case reports to get to grips with the finer details of the subject.
At the end of the course, you will receive your certification. Then you’re ready to set out on your pharmacovigilance career.
After achieving your certification, you’ll open up a world of opportunities in pharmacovigilance and be qualified for entry-level roles including, but not limited to the following Drug Safety Jobs:
Pharmacovigilance Jobs
Pharmacovigilance Jobs Entry Level
18,000 Pharmacovigilance Jobs (always include a SPECIFIC cover letter for all jobs and follow up at least twice by email if you do not hear back to show interest to every single job).
Drug safety or Pharmacovigilance scientist (specialist or associate)
Drug safety or PV manager
Safety or PV reviewer
Pharmacovigilance Quality Compliance
Clinical Quality specialist
Medical Safety scientist/specialist/reviewer
Local safety officer
Clinical trial project safety associate (reviewer or specialist)
MedDRA coder
Pharmacovigilance safety and analytics reporting analyst/specialist/associate
Pharmacovigilance Auditor or PV Inspection readiness officer
• Safety or Pharmacovigilance Physician (medical director, MD/MBBS, IMG)
• Safety Compliance Writer
• Good PV Practices manager
• GCP specialist
• Pharmacovigilance vendor
• Case processing specialist
• Clinical trial case processing safety specialist
• Post-marketing case processing safety specialist
• Epidemiology safety associate (MPH) • Risk management manager
• Signal management specialist
• Periodic reporting specialist• Regulatory affairs safety specialist
You’ll also be qualified to act as an onsite safety representative for the duration of a given contract.
Pharmacovigilance Salary
The pandemic has demonstrated just how vital the pharmaceutical industry is to the smooth running of the country and the economy. And with the average entry-level salary in pharmacovigilance in the region of $69,000, it provides a unique opportunity to do your duty and be well-rewarded.
Once you are experienced in
pharmacovigilance, you can expect to command a salary of around $114,000.
And after 3-10 years in the industry, you can expect to earn $136,000. Based on salary, the US is the best country for pharmacovigilance jobs although pharmacovigilance is paid well globally as well.
We have trained over 1,800 clinical research and pharmacovigilance professionals and cover global clinical safety and pharmacovigilance as well as argus safety data base certification in our online, on-demand course. Our drug safety training is provided online and can be completed in less than a week. This is a great alternative to a diploma course in pharmacovigilance as you can finish quickly and still get an advanced level of understanding under your belt.
You can speak with our enrollment advisors for assistance in pricing and scholarship. Completed certification helps demonstrate your interest and knowledge to employers.
A career in pharmacovigilance is rewarding both personally and financially.
But like all new career paths, it can be difficult to gain experience or demonstrate your commitment from the outside. Achieving an accredited PV certification shows potential employers that you are serious about a career in the industry. It proves that you have the required knowledge and understanding of pharmacovigilance to add value to their organization.
For further details, call and speak to one of our 24/7 enrollment representatives through the orange chat box.
Good pharmacovigilance practice - ICH GCP guidelines for pharmacovigilance
Pharmacovigilance certification
Pharmacovigilance Certification
by CCRPS pharmacovigilance training institute is a globally-accepted, accredited Online Pharmacovigilance Training Course
Fundamentals Of Global Pharmacovigilance
Introduction to Drug Safety and PV FREE PREVIEW
Key PV Terminology (Side Effect, Drug Safety, and Risk Terms) FREE PREVIEW
International Regulatory Requirements and Guidelines Overview FREE PREVIEW
Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Regional Regulatory Requirements (FDA, EMA, Japan, China) FREE PREVIEW
Postmarketing Surveillance (PMS) and Safety Management FREE PREVIEW
GVP - Pharmacovigilance Abbreviations Advanced Review of Adverse Event Reporting
Advanced Review Of Pharmacovigilance
Advanced Practice of Pharmacovigilance Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Additional Encompassing and Confusing Terms in Pharmacovigilance
MedDRA (Hierarchy, Searching, Terms, Exporting, Assessing, Important Medical Events)
Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Need for Pharmacovigilance
The History of Pharmacovigilance FREE PREVIEW Roles in Pharmacovigilance Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Key Stakeholders in Pharmacovigilance Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Post-marketing AE Processing and Reporting(ICSR, Case Processing, Narrative Writing, & International Aggregate Reporting)
Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Signal Detection (Detection, Validation, Prioritization, and Action)
Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Risk Assessment, Plan, and Management Pharmacovigilance Quiz
Vaccine Surveillance - COVID-19 Updated (AEFI, Vaccinology, AESI, AVSS, Communication, and Case Studies)
Post-authorization/Post-marketing Regulations in Pharmacovigilance
Argus Safety Database Certification
Argus Safety Database Certification Part 1 (Into and Video Demos)
Argus Safety Database Certification Part 2 Argus Safety Database Certification Part 3 Argus Safety Database Certification Part 4 Argus Safety Database Certification Part 5 Argus Safety Database Certification Part 6 Oracle Argus Safety User Guide
Resources
International Pharmacovigilance Initiatives and Guidelines - EMA
DIA Safety and Pharmacovigilance Competencies
Pharmacovigilance Career Resources
WHO-ISoP Pharmacovigilance Resources
E2E-Pharmacovigilance Planning
GVP XVI Addendum: Educational Materials
GVP Module I-IV PV Systems, PSMF, Inspections & Audits
GVP I: Pharmacovigilance Systems
GVP VIII: Post-authorisation Safety Studies
GVP III: Pharmacovigilance Inspections
GVP IX Addendum: Methodological aspects
GVP V: Risk management systems
GVP IX: Signal management-
GVP VIII Addendum: Requirements- recommendations_en-1
GVP XV: Safety Communication
GVP XVI: Risk-minimization measures
GVP II: Pharmacovigilance System Master File
GVP VI: Duplicate Management
GVI VI: Pharmacovigilance Audits
GVP X: Additional Monitoring
GVP VII: Periodic Safety Update Report
GVP VI: Collection, management, and submission of reports
Pharmacovigilance Definition
Investigational product (IP): Any drug, device, therapy, or intervention after Phase I trial
Event: Any undesirable outcome (i.e. undesired laboratory finding, symptom, or disease)
Adverse event/experience (AE): Any related OR unrelated event occurring during use of IP
Adverse drug reaction/effect (ADR/ADE): AE that is related to product
Serious Adverse Event (SAE): AE that causes death, disability, incapacity, is life- threatening, requires/prolongs hospitalization, or leads to birth defect
Unexpected Adverse Event (UAE): AE that is not previously listed on product information
Unexpected Adverse Reaction: ADR that is not previously listed on product information
Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR): Serious + Unexpected + ADR
Causality assessment: Review of drug (i.e. pharmacology, pathophysiology, time overlap of event and IP administration, dechallenge and rechallenge, confounding patient-specific disease manifestations or other medications, and other explanations) to determine if certain, probable/likely, possible, unlikely, conditional/unclassified, unassessable/unclassifiable.
Dechallenge vs. Rechallenge: Causality assessed by measuring AE outcomes when withdrawing vs. re-administering IP
Causal relationship: Determined to be certain, probable/likely, or possible (AE + Causal -> ADR)
Seriousness: based on outcome + guide to reporting obligations (i.e. death SAE -> report in 3 days) mnemonic: seriOOusness = OutcOme
• Severity: based on intensity (mild, moderate, severe) regardless of medical outcome (i.e. severe headache -> not serious) mnemonic: severiTTy = InTensiTy
• Temporal relationship: Positive if AE timing within use or half-life of drug (positive, suggestive, compatible, weak, negative)
• Signal: Event information after drug approved providing new adverse or beneficial knowledge about IP that justifies further studying (PMS = signal detection, validation, confirmation, analysis, & assessment and recommendation for action)
• Identified risk: Event noticed in signal evaluation known to be related/listed on product information
• Potential risk: Event noticed in signal evaluation scientifically related to product but not listed on product information
• Important risk/Safety concern: Identified or potential risk that can impact risk-benefit ratio
• Risk-benefit ratio: Ratio of IP’s positive therapeutic effect to risks of safety/efficacy
• Summary of product characteristics (SmPC/SPC): guide for doctors to use IP
Good Pharmacovigilance Practice - ICH GCP guidelines for pharmacovigilance
E2A: Clinical safety data management: Definitions and standards for expedited reporting
What is e2b in pharmacovigilance? E2B: Electronic reporting of adverse events: Implements electronic reporting R3 E-ICSR Implementation Guide I Link CIOMS I to E2B Guide
E2C: Periodic benefit- risk evaluation report (PBRER): Format and content of safety updates for reporting at intervals to regulatory authorities
E2D: Post-approval safety data management: Definitions and standards for expedited reporting: Guidance for gathering and reporting information
E2E: Pharmacovigilance planning: Helps to make PMS plan, especially in early Phase IV
E2F: Development Safety Update Report (DSUR): Standard for periodic reporting on drugs
M1: Medical dictionary for Regulatory activities (MedDRA)
M4: The Common Technical Document (CTD): Formatting of reports to regulatory bodies (M4 Organization, M4Quality, M4Safety, M4Efficacy)
CIOMS I: The international reporting form (links with ICH E2B)
CIOMS II: Periodic safety update reports manual
CIOMS III: Core data sheets
CIOMS IV: Benefit-risk assessments
CIOMS VI: Clinical trial safety data
CIOMS VII: Development safety update reports
CIOMS VIII: Practical Aspects of Signal Detection in Pharmacovigilance
Global Pharmacovigilance laws and regulations - IAOCR Directory
Local Pharmacovigilance Regulatory Bodies
Australia – Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
New Zealand – MEDSAFE
North America
Canada – Health Canada ~2%
USA* – FDA: Food and Drug Administration ~33%
Central/South America
Argentina – ANMAT
Brazil – Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA)
Chile – Instituto de Salud Publico (ISP)
Columbia – Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA)
Costa Rica – Ministerio de Salud
Cuba – CECMED
Dominican Republic – Dirección General de Drogas y Farmacias
Jamaica – Ministry of Health
Mexico – Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS)
Paraguay – Ministro de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social
Peru – Ministerio de Salud
Uruguay – Ministerio de Salud Publica
European Union* – EMA: European Medicines Agency ~17%
Armenia – Scientific Centre of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise
Austria – Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES)
Belgium – Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products
Bulgaria – Bulgarian Drug Agency
Croatia – Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Croatia
Cyprus – Ministry of Health
Czech Republic – State Institute for Drug Control
Denmark – Danish Medicines Agency
Estonia – State Agency of Medicines
Finland – Finish Medicines Agency
France – Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Medicament et des Produits de Santé
Germany – Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices
Georgia – Regulation Agency for Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities
Greece – National Organisation for Medicines
Hungary – National Institute of Pharmacy
Iceland – Icelandic Medicines Agency
Ireland – Irish Medicines Board
Italy – National Institute of Health
Lithuania – State Medicines Control Agency
Luxembourg – Ministry of Health
Malta – Maltese Medicines Authority
Moldova – Medicines Agency
Netherlands – Medicines Evaluation Board
Norway – Norwegian Medicines Agency
Poland – The Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products
Portugal – National Authority of Medicines and Health Products
Romania – National Medicines Agency
Russia – Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation• Serbia – Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia
• Slovakia – State Institute for Drug Control • Slovenia – Ministry of Health
• Spain – Spanish Medicines Agency
• Sweden – Medical Products Agency• Switzerland – Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products
• Ukraine – Ministry of Health
• United Kingdom – Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Bahrain – I-SEHA
• Egypt – Ministry of Health
• Iran – Ministry of Health
• Israel – Ministry of Health
• Jordan – Jordan Food and Drug Administration
• Lebanon – Ministry of Public Health
• Saudi Arabia – Saudi Food and Drug Authority
• United Arab Emirates – Ministry of Health
• Bangladesh – Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA)
• Bhutan – Drug Regulatory Authority
• China* – CFDA/NMPA: State Food and Drug Administration
• India – Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO)
• Indonesia – POM (Pengawas Obat dan Makanan)
• JAPAN* – PMDA: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ~12%
• Korea (South) – Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) ~1%
• Laos – Food and Drug Department
• Malaysia – Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Nepal – Department of Drug Administration
• Philippines – Department of Health (DOH)
• Singapore – Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
• Sri Lanka – Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Taiwan (Republic of China) – Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA)
• Thailand – Food and Drug Administration of Thailand
• Vietnam – Drug Administration of Vietnam
• Algeria – Ministry of Health and Population • Botswana – Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Burkina Faso – Le Ministère de la Santé• Ghana – Food and Drugs Authority
• Kenya – Pharmacy and Poisons Board
• Morocco – Ministry of Health
• Nigeria – National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
• Rwanda – Ministry of Health
• Senegal – Ministère de la Santé et de l’Action Sociale
• South Africa – Medicines Control Council (MCC)
• Swaziland – Ministry of Health
• Tanzania – Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA)
• Uganda – National Drug Authority
7 Reasons Why You Should Start a Career in Clinical Research
begin a Career in Clinical Research
How you ever thought that there’s a perfect job out there for you, but you just haven’t found it yet? If you are motivated, informed, and interested in a science and medical career, you might have just found your answer. Many clinical research professionals say this is the golden ticket to a great career in the science field.
Why Clinical Research as a Career
The clinical research industry is a highly lucrative and expanding field. The global clinical trials market has been estimated at $46.8 billion in 2019.
As the push for new vaccines and therapeutics continues to get stronger, the field is expected to grow even more in value. Experts predict that the global market will hit $69.9 billion by 2027. The future in clinical research is bright, and it is one that you will want to be a part of.
Contrary to popular belief, working in clinical research doesn’t have to mean you have to stay in a lab. There are demands and opportunities for every skill set, if you know how to find them. Below, I have put together an in-depth guide on why you should get into clinical research.
Working in Clinical Research
You like a job that’s flexible
Don’t like working in a cubical? How about heading to the airport every morning instead? If you like a job that keeps you moving, then becoming a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) and working in clinical trials might be the right move for you. Learn more about becoming a CRA with this CRA Certification Course.
CRAs, contrary to what most people believe, don’t collect data or interact with patients. A CRA’s day-to-day job is to travel between different research sites and verify data transcription (i.e., data management). CRAs can also become part of the project management as a clinical trial manager of an entire trial.
They are also called “monitors” and a part of "regulatory affairs", because it is also their job and clinical experience to ensure that every site is following proper compliance and protocols.
There are two types of CRAs: home base or in-house. Home base CRAs work remotely. That means they work and travel from home. Most CRAs work for contract research organizations who are hired by sponsors to conduct their multi-site trials.
If you get tired of working home base, you can become an in-house CRA. In-house CRAs stay in one site and work together with a home base CRA to keep each other updated with what is happening at their site.
You like working with people
Have you ever been told that you are a people person with great communication skills? If talking to someone about how you can change their health for the better sounds like something you’d enjoy, you should definitely look into becoming a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC). Explore our Clinical Research Coordinator Course to get started.
CRCs are the backbones to every project. They conduct patient visits, input source documents into the electronic data capture (EDC), and ensure that every trial is following compliance. They are also responsible for handling regulatory documents and updating the Principal Investigator (PI) with trial results.
CRCs conduct a variety of tasks, all of which impact the progress and development of the trial. Every successful clinical trials team needs is a good CRC. So, if you have strong interpersonal skills and know how to stay organized, you will be an indispensable part of the team.
You are detail-oriented and tech-savvy
Are you a self-proclaimed techie? Perhaps you’ve dabbled in coding, pick up computer programs easily, and maybe even have a background in IT. Technology is the future. If you think you have a knack for organizing data, you should look into becoming a Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA). Check out our Clinical Trials Assistant Training to learn more.
CTAs, also known as Clinical Research Assistants, manage the Trial Master File (TMF). They file, archive, and maintain trial documents and study files. They are also responsible for closing inquiries from the CRA, as well as providing administrative support to the research team. Every important step in clinical research, pre-clinical research, study startup, site management, needs a dependable CTA.
While most jobs in clinical research require some understanding of technology, it is especially important for the CTA to know what they are doing when it comes to managing trial documents and study files. In addition, it is equally important that the CTA is organized and knows how to pay attention to detail.
Working in Clinical Trials
Means you like a good salary...with room for promotion
Though there are many career paths within clinical research, most people begin their career as CTAs or CRCs in entry-level positions. Depending on your skill set and what kind of experiences you can bring to the table, either position will help you get your feet through the door.
According to salary.com, a CTA’s average salary in 2020 is $63,000. They generally earn between a range of $54,300 and $73,000, and are provided with benefits such as healthcare and social security.
If being more hands-on in the research process appeals to you, you might be a good fit for a CRC. Similarly, CRCs are making an average of $63,117 in 2020. Most make between a range of $54,210 and $72,902, plus employee benefits.
While numbers tend to fluctuate between cities and states, there’s no denying that these are great salaries for an entry position. Since according to one of the largest global job recruitment sites, Glassdoor, the average base salary in America is $40,000. Starting with an annual salary of $60,000 is considered uncommon and on the high end of the spectrum.
After one to two years of experience on the job, most companies provide CTAs and CRCs opportunities for professional development and promotion. Many become Clinical Research Associates, or CRAs. Indeed reports that the average salary of a CRA with one to two years of experience is $72,358. After building at least 6 years experience, a seasoned CRA should expect to earn $110,102 a year. If you would like to make more money, you can consider becoming an individual contractor CRAs. They can earn up to $300,000 in a year.
You are a science professional wanting to change careers and don’t want to go back to school
In clinical research, experience is often valued over degrees. Rather than what you didn’t study in college, hiring managers are more interested in what you have done in the past and how they can integrate you into their company.
This includes getting certified through clinical research courses, but more so what you learn from the courses you take. CCRPS offers the most in-depth CRA and CRC training so that there's tons to talk about during the interview and a working bank of knowledge during the first few months of the job. Explore more specialized certifications like ICH-GCP, Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification, and Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification to further enhance your qualifications.
While graduate programs can help point you in the right direction, you don’t need a master’s degree to succeed in clinical research. In fact, certain positions don’t even require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree; they have certification in clinical research.
Applying to CRC and CTA positions are one of the most common segways into higher positions in clinical research. CRCs don’t need a bachelor’s or associate’s degree to get their foot in the door. While both CTA and CRA positions require a bachelor’s degree, they don’t have to be in the life sciences.
One of the best ways to gain experience and stand out from the crowd is to have on-site experience. If you need advice on how, Dan Sfera, the CEO of DSCS CRO Clinical Research Services, recommends getting started by interning or volunteering at clinics and research sites to build connections and experience.
Sometimes, the easiest way to get involved is to offer services like patient recruitment and social media management in exchange for opportunities to build your CV. By appealing to a site’s needs, this will help you get your foot in the door and build the connections and resume you need.
Another great way of adding experience to your resume is by training throughcertification courses. When employers see that you have taken the time and effort to understand how to be the best in their field, they are more far likely to hire you. At CCRPS.org, we offer seven courses and certification trainings to give you an advantage. Most of our students are hired within the first month of taking the course. We are accredited by the Accreditation Council For Clinical Research Education (ACCRE) and Joint Commission by the AMA, ANCC, and various other organizations to provide 17.5 CME credits through our CRA Certification and CRC Certification.
6. You are switching careers
Switching career fields can be nerve wracking. However, it is also an opportunity for you to be a unique candidate. Whether you come from a closely-related background, like medicine or nursing, or something completely different, there are ways you can advocate for yourself in front of employers.
If you already have a background in medicine (nonclinical doctor, unmatched MD), your knowledge of healthcare and your passion for patient health will make for a smooth translation into clinical research. In addition, your RN or MD degrees will help you gain a competitive edge and allow you to climb higher positions, such as the PI, who is the primary researcher of an operation.
On the other hand, if you come from a less relevant field but feel passionate, you can still leverage yourself to be exactly what the clinical research field needs. For example, if you are a teacher, your communication and interpersonal skills will be your keys to success. If you are a lawyer, your ability to draft and read papers will far surpass the average candidate.
If you studied mathematics, you are a skilled problem solver. If you are a translator, your language skills are valuable and will help you get into roles that require it. In short, whatever skills helped you succeed in your previous positions, you can bring it with you to clinical research.
7. You want to make a difference in disease outcomes and patient care
There are two types of people in the world: ones who accept the world as it is, and ones who strive to change it. In the last 50 years, science and medicine have gone through a series of drastic changes. However, anyone who works behind the scenes will tell you that medical breakthroughs are not miracles. Clinical research is the culmination of human effort and intelligence.
The fruits and labor of the ever-expanding industry are proof that if enough people care about the world, then they can change it. While there are many good reasons to work in clinical research, if you want the privilege to enrich the lives of others, there is a place for you in this field.
If you want to take a sneak peak at employers and opportunities near you, jobs sites like Indeed are a great resource.
Here are links for aspiring CRAs, for CRCs, and for CTAs. (Note: CTAs are often referred to Clinical Research Assistants, not to be confused for Clinical Research Associates)