The clinical trial industry continues to grow as health and science research evolves and expand; There were already more trials in July 2023 (more than 450,000) than in all of 2022. With this increase in research, studies, and more comes the need to hire more skilled and trained professionals in this area.
Let’s take a look at what a clinical research coordinator is and all the pertinent details to know before recruiting and hiring this key role for your organization.
What is a Clinical Research Coordinator?
Clinical research coordinators (CRC) conduct the day-to-day activities of clinical trials and medical research. They work under the supervision of a principal investigator (PI) to ensure clinical trials and trial participants are operating safely and in compliance with local regulations and good clinical practice (GCP).
Clinical Research Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities of CRCs vary depending on the type of research being conducted and the needs of the PI. However, general roles and responsibilities include:
- Administrative duties such as documenting trial progress, scheduling patients, or performing data entry
- Adhering to Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements and filing IRB submissions
- Liaising with clinical trial sites, conducting site training, and preparing site documents
- Managing communications between the research team, investigators, and sites
- Running and supporting patient visits, as well as obtaining informed consent and documenting patient activities
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Credentials of a Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical research coordinators commonly have a bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, public health, or a related field. Some choose to pursue higher education or advanced credentials, such as CCRC (Certified Clinical Research Coordinator), to better understand current trial procedures. And all candidates should feel comfortable in a clinical setting communicating directly with patients.
Top Skills of a Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical research coordinators should understand the intricacies of clinical trials and the drug development process. They should also possess a combination of skillsets that assist them in the patient-facing and administrative aspects of the role.
The skillsets that best set up CRC candidates for success in their role include:
- Having a base-level understanding of lab procedures and clinical trial conduct
- Reliable computer skills for tracking clinical trial progress and conducting data entry
- Strong communication skills to liaise between teams and connect with trial patients
- Attention to detail with an ability to work under strict deadlines
- Empathy and compassionate care for patients participating in clinical research
- Ability to comprehend and execute specific clinical protocols
- Knowledge of local regulations and compliance standards
- Willing to learn and curious about analytics
Pay and Job Outlook
Staffing shortages are plaguing the entire clinical research industry, and clinical research coordinators are no exception. Rising pressures on clinical teams to produce more trials means that teams spend less time with patients and more time dealing with regulations, administrative tasks, and training.
Research by the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) found in 2022 that there were 5.7 million available CRC candidates and 6.6 million job listings for clinical research coordinators. For prospective candidates, this can be very promising as there is one CRC for every seven jobs posted. Hiring managers should consider this gap when considering salary and benefits offerings to entice top candidates.
As for pay, of the 2,400 listings studied by the SCRS in 2022, $82,000 was the median salary for a clinical research coordinator. Listings ranged from $40,000 to $120,000 depending on location, but SCRS noted an approximate 40-60% average salary increase, including retention bonuses and benefits, from before the pandemic.
Clinical Research Coordinator Job Description
Given the job landscape for CRCs, it’s important to create a clinical research coordinator job description that is clear and accurate to the role so you can attract the right candidates.
Be sure to include a thorough job summary that lists all of the clinical activities the individual will be responsible for. Highlight essential job functions that the individual will be performing daily, include who will supervise them, and note if they will be supervising others. Note if there are travel expectations and which teams this individual will be liaising between. And clarify if prior clinical experience is required or if the candidate should possess any specific training or certifications.
Finally, if the role requires specific physical requirements, be sure to outline them. This could include clinical trials that come into contact with sensitive materials or require a high physical requirement or occupational risk potential.
Commonly Asked Interview Questions for a Clinical Research Coordinator
When interviewing clinical research coordinator candidates, ask questions that highlight their hard and soft skills for the role, including:
- Share any prior clinical research experience you have. Have you previously worked on the administrative side, in the lab, patient-facing, or all three?
- Why did you choose to pursue a career in clinical research?
- How do you obtain informed consent from your trial patients? What steps do you take to ensure continuously informed consent through a trial?
- How do you stay up to date with clinical trial regulations and compliance?
- What health care or clinical trial software do you have familiarity with?
- What strategies do you use to meet tight deadlines or juggle competing priorities?
- How do you help patients understand medical terminology and trial protocols?
- What steps do you take to reduce patient dropouts during a trial?
- What strategies do you use to improve the diversity of your patient population?
Hire Your Next Clinical Research Coordinator Today
Clinical research coordinators are in high demand, so be intentional with your recruitment efforts. Ensure that your job description is comprehensive and accurate to what you expect the candidate to do and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
If you need help accelerating your hiring efforts, reach out to a professional at Insight Global to kickstart your CRC recruitment today.