Clinical Research Coordinator: Career Overview.
The modern public health field is facing a host of complex challenges, requiring public health experts across all specialty areas to develop innovative and impactful solutions. Clinical research coordinators often sit at the forefront of those innovations, as they are responsible for directing and coordinating studies and trials that explore new treatment options and approaches to healthcare.
This is a rewarding public health profession for those with a background in healthcare, a passion for research, and a desire to shape the evolving landscape of modern medicine. Understanding how to become a clinical research coordinator, and how an advanced degree such as a Master of Public Health (MPH) can prepare you for success, can help you chart an intentional and meaningful career path.
What Is a Clinical Research Coordinator?
A clinical research coordinator is a public health professional who specializes in scientific inquiry and manages the day-to-day activities of a clinical trial. While a principal investigator will likely develop and lead the clinical trial, the clinical research coordinator helps develop a strategic plan to ensure that it is completed according to all specifications, including timeline and budget.
Clinical research coordinators also ensure that the clinical trial or study adheres to all protocols, which protects the integrity and validity of the results. It is a role that requires administrative oversight as well as hands-on leadership, giving professionals the ability to become heavily involved in the trial itself.
What Does a Clinical Research Coordinator Do?
The job responsibilities of a clinical research coordinator will vary based on the clinical trial they are overseeing and the specialty area that they focus on. For the most part, clinical research coordinators take on the administrative tasks that bring the trial to life, working to ensure that everyone involved adheres to the proper protocols and ethical standards.
Some common job responsibilities may include:
- Trial Coordination — Clinical research coordinators collaborate with physicians, sponsors of the clinical trial, and involved institutions to facilitate preparation.
- Record Management — Clinical research coordinators work to maintain all records and protect the integrity of trial results.
- Budgeting — Clinical research coordinators oversee the budget for the trial, often making sure that all funding is secured.
- Data Collection and Organization — Clinical research coordinators collect and organize data so that it can be properly analyzed throughout the trial.
- Recruiting Patients — Clinical research coordinators recruit patients who may be eligible for and interested in the clinical trial. They often identify specific requirements for patient demographics, adhering to ethical standards and protocols. Ultimately, the patients involved should accurately reflect the trial’s target population.
- Facilitate Communication — Clinical research coordinators must collaborate with all parties involved in the trial, as well as serve as the first point of contact between patients and the clinical trial team.
- Drafting Reports — Throughout the study, clinical research coordinators should collect and analyze data to generate reports that offer insight into the trial’s progress.
Where Do Clinical Research Coordinators Work?
Clinical research coordinators first began to emerge in the United States in the 1970s. Today, they work to standardize the clinical trial process. You can find them in a variety of employment settings, including:
- Hospitals — Here, clinical research coordinators work to recruit patients to participate in hospital-led studies.
- Universities — Academic institutions are often involved in clinical trials, allowing clinical research coordinators to serve as a vital bridge between the university and the trial itself.
- Pharmaceutical Companies — Pharmaceutical companies often conduct their own clinical trials to test the validity and efficacy of new drugs. They may employ clinical research coordinators directly.
- Biotech Companies — With an emphasis on new and advanced innovations, biotech companies require the help of clinical research coordinators to test their products.
- Government Agencies — Government-sponsored clinical trials depend on clinical research coordinators to confirm that all logistics for the trial have been coordinated and that all regulatory requirements have been met.
- Nonprofit Organizations — Nonprofit organizations often sponsor or oversee clinical trials.
- Research Clinics — Research clinics that work to fuel innovation and develop new treatment options may hire clinical research coordinators to oversee their trials.
Clinical research coordinators usually pursue positions based on their personal interests, areas of expertise, and professional goals.
How to Become a Clinical Research Coordinator
Professionals in this field often have backgrounds in public health, healthcare, nursing, health and human services, and science. Below are some steps you can take to qualify for clinical research coordinator positions.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. Most clinical research coordinators have a bachelor’s degree in science, health, or business, as these fields provide a strong foundation upon which they can build their career.
- Pursue optional certification programs. By earning a certification, you can prove that you have industry expertise and are qualified to assume the duties of a clinical research coordinator. Two common certification options include the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) credential and the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) credential.
- Earn a graduate degree. This helps develop an advanced understanding of the evolving health landscape. A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is an excellent option for those considering a career as a clinical research coordinator.
- Gain professional and clinical experience. It’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape, along with some real-world experience to back it up.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Clinical Research Coordinator?
Clinical research coordinators need a comprehensive set of practical, technical, and soft skills to be effective in their roles. In addition to having a well-rounded understanding of the public health and healthcare landscape, they should be able to work well with others.
These are some of the skills required in this leadership role:
- Medical Knowledge — To effectively oversee clinical trials, clinical research coordinators need a strong foundation in medicine and healthcare.
- Data Analysis and Management — Clinical research coordinators are responsible for collecting and analyzing trial results, making data analysis and management skills very important.
- Project Management — Project management skills, such as budgeting, resource allocation, and schedule planning, are necessary to successfully oversee clinical trials.
- Communication and Collaboration — This is an incredibly collaborative position, which means clinical research coordinators need to know how to effectively communicate with all key stakeholders.
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity — Clinical research coordinators are responsible for recruiting patients for clinical trials, which requires them to have a deep sense of cultural awareness and sensitivity. They must know how to solicit a diverse pool of patients that accurately reflects the population, as this can reduce health disparities and improve health equity overall.
By furthering your education, pursuing industry-specific credentials, and gaining relevant professional experience, you can develop the core competencies required for the role of a clinical research coordinator.
How an MPH from Boston University Can Support a Career as a Clinical Research Coordinator
A clinical research coordinator is just one career opportunity that MPH graduates may choose to pursue. Whether you want to learn more about how to become one or are interested in exploring other specialty areas, you’ll find that the MPH program equips you with the knowledge and skills required to advance your career.
At Boston University, our nationally recognized school of public health offers both on-campus MPH and online MPH programs, allowing you to choose the educational experience that best suits your needs. Both formats feature a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes health equity, helping you develop the skills required to address pressing public health challenges. Request more information about our on-campus and online MPH programs today.