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)
A description of Clinical Research Coordinator jobs and what they entail
Clinical research coordinators are usually supervised by clinical research managers. Their main task is to administer the clinical trials. Primary responsibilities normally include administering questionnaires, informing the participants about the objectives of the study, collecting data, and managing all the trials. They also have to adhere to all trial standards that have been set and also participate in recruitment of the subjects. Clinical research coordinators also have to engage with the subjects so that they can explain the things that are expected during the trial and also find out if they have any concerns. This means that a clinical research coordinator needs communicative and interpersonal skills.
For those interested in becoming clinical research coordinators, or enhancing their skills in this role, the Clinical Research Coordinator course provides comprehensive training and certification.
The responsibilities:
Maintaining records of all studies as per the guidelines.
Sticking to all ethical standards.
Sticking to all the regulatory standards set, including those covered in the ICH-GCP course.
Administering questionnaires.
Managing the budget dedicated to the research.
Overseeing the running of the trials as smoothly as possible.
Understanding and engaging with the subjects so as to know all issues.
Making sure that all equipment and supplies that are necessary for the success of the study are working and in stock.
Participating in the recruitment efforts of the participants, a topic extensively covered in the Clinical Trials Assistant Training.
Working with the laboratories so as to share findings.
Requirements:
The qualifications of a clinical research coordinator usually depend on your locations or employer. In most cases, for you to access clinical research coordinator jobs you should:
Have an associate nursing degree or any related field
Experience of two years within the healthcare industry
Analytical mindset
Be attentive to detail
Have interpersonal skills which are exceptional
Be ready to continue learning even without being prompted to do so, which can be further supported by the Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification.
Great skills in organizing
Have great verbal and written communication skills
Additional certifications such as the Pharmacovigilance Certification, CRA, Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification, and Medical Monitor Certification are also beneficial for those looking to further their careers in clinical research.
Understanding what clinical research organizations are and what they do
CRO or a clinical research organization is a company which operates within the pharmaceutical industry in many cases. These kinds of organizations can be involved in many processes that are involved in the development of pharmaceuticals. There are also others who only have to administer required tests on drugs that are in development.
The large companies have their own clinical research organization incorporated into the structure of the company. There are yet others who outsource drug development and testing to the organizations which are precisely designed for such a purpose.
Why hire an independent organization
When you hire a clinical research organization which is independent to handle testing, the results are not highly doubted or questioned. This is because such an organization does not have any kind of self-interest in promoting something that is clearly bad. There have been cases where some medications tested by those who make them have failed to fulfill all promises made. However, clinical research organizations have shown more value to pharmaceutical companies.
Clinical research organizations are able to pave the way for chemicals that have been successful for approval by the relevant bodies. Most bodies have very high requirements and before approval, a lot of positive data have to be provided about the chemical. Clinical research organizations can assist with the supporting documents and the necessary paperwork so that approval can go through. Individuals interested in participating in this vital role might consider enrolling in a Clinical Research Coordinator course.
There are some concerns about when and where new drugs and chemicals are outsourced to the clinical research organization, but in most cases the concerns are of an economic standpoint. Sometimes the outsourcing of chemical research organizations that are not within your country may mean that scientists within the country will have lesser jobs.
Outsourcing these services saves a lot of money for pharmaceutical and chemical companies. When they do this, the company does not need to have a clinical department maintained within. This means less strain in HR departments. For those looking to deepen their expertise in the field, courses like Pharmacovigilance Certification, CRA, ICH-GCP, Clinical Trials Assistant Training, Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification, and Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification are available.
Global Pharmacovigilance Regulations
Medicine is one of the most universal forms of healthcare. However, according to the American Society of Pharmacovigilance, adverse drug events alone are responsible for $13 billion in annual American healthcare costs. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services defines adverse drug events as undesirable consequences of taking certain medications, such as “medical errors, adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions, and overdoses”. It is internationally important that a medication is professionally assessed and monitored before it is deemed safe for consumers. This is where pharmacovigilance comes into play.
Pharmacovigilance (PV), or drug safety, is the study of a drug’s adverse effects. PV helps determine if a drug is safe for mass consumption before it is put on the market. In addition, PV ensures that if drugs with serious adverse drug reactions are pulled from the market. The field is an integral part in clinical research. In this article, we will explore the various agencies and regulatory bodies that supervise PV as well as clinical research. For those interested in becoming a pharmacovigilance expert, Pharmacovigilance Certification is available to guide you through the essentials of drug safety.
The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH): Created in 1990, the ICH connects global regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical companies to share technical innovations and discuss guidelines. The ICH GCP, or Good Clinical Practice, is one of the global governing clinical research guidelines for the EU, America, and Japan. Understanding and staying up to date with the ICH GCP is one of the most important qualifications someone could have before entering the clinical research industry. If you have any interest in clinical research and PV, CCRPS offers a free ICH GCP course that thoroughly explains and clarifies the complex document.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA): In the European Union (EU), the EMA coordinates PV and drug safety throughout all clinical trial phases. They ensure that a drug’s effects are monitored even after they are on the market. In addition to ICH GCP, the EU uses Good Pharmacovigilance Practice (GPvP) to determine monitoring standards of drug sales.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): In the United States (U.S.), the FDA supervises the approval of pharmaceutical products. Specifically, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research or CDER is responsible for handling PV. Within CDER, the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology assembles medical officers and safety evaluators to oversee PV in their field of experience. Most officers and evaluators are medical doctors or pharmacists.
Marketed Health Products Directorate (MHPD): The Canadian Directorate assesses and regulates health product risks. They are composed of 6 different bureaus and offices, each with their own area of speciality. Together, the Directorate monitors adverse drug effects and makes regulatory decisions.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA): Established in 2004, the Japanese regulatory authority PMDA supervises the safety of drugs from the lab to the market. Not only do they consult clinical trial professionals on clinical compliance, they also provide post-market safety measures and relief services for adverse health effects.
Since drug safety is important for patient health and safety around the world, there are career opportunities for PV virtually anywhere. If you want to learn more about pharmacovigilance, please visit our website at CCRPS.Org. Our online Pharmacovigilance Certification guides new professionals to improve their qualifications and gain valuable insight. The course is curated by real clinical research professionals and flexible enough to fit any schedule. Moreover, for those looking to expand their career into clinical research coordination or clinical trials assistance, CCRPS offers comprehensive courses such as the Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Assistant Training, CRA certification, Advanced Clinical Research Project Manager Certification, Advanced Principal Investigator Physician Certification, and Medical Monitor Certification.