Qualifications Needed for Clinical Research Associate Jobs
A clinical research associate is a health professional responsible for designing and monitoring clinical research projects such as clinical trials, the standard approach to judging the effectiveness of new drugs and other medical therapies. Currently there are numerous special diploma and certificate programs for people interested in careers as clinical research associates.
Clinical research associates, sometimes known simply as CRAs, are people who make important contributions to the health-care research process by assisting in the design, planning, monitoring, and review of clinical trials. This includes ensuring that clinical trials have met the standards established by government regulations and research ethics committees. Aclinical trialis a standard and vital method of medical research, in which anywhere from several dozen to several thousand patients are recruited and given a new drug or therapy, or a new combination of drugs, which researchers believe may be effective in treating a disease or other medical condition. The results of clinical trials are used to convince government regulatory organizations, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to approve the drugs for public use, as well as to convince doctors and specialists to prescribe the new treatment for their patients.
Typically, clinical research associates must have a proper educational background. This includes an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree, ideally in the life sciences (e.g. biology), medical sciences (e.g. pharmacy), chemistry, or biochemistry. Some clinical research associates may actually get medical degrees, but choose a research job instead of becoming a practicing physician. Advanced graduate degrees, like a PhD, are less necessary, but may help people climb the ranks of their career organization more quickly.
A number of organizations offer graduate certificate programs for people who have completed college and want to gain some degree of specialization. These include McMaster University'sCertified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)Certificate program. Currently, the U.S.-basedSociety for Clinical Research Associates(SoCRA) requires that registered clinical research associates have either a clinical research certificate of this kind, or have two years of relevant professional work experience prior to their registration. Note, however, that without the certificate, it will be hard to get good work experience.
People who have the right educational background and have got their certification should then focus on accumulating as much relevant work experience as possible. The best jobs in clinical research, just like the best jobs in any other field, are restricted to applicants who already have several years of experience and a proven track record of quality work. Work in the field is also the best way to make new contacts who can point the way to other opportunities.
