Clinical research jobs involve overseeing and designing scripting protocols, and formulating consent forms and case report forms for clinical trials. The clinical research manager oversees and directs the protocol design, and monitors and implements clinical trials, periodic reports, new drug applications, integrated medical reports, and biological license applications (BLAs). The clinical research manager is the one who decides to select or recruit investigators and vendors from outside the agency, and contracts with research organizations. He is also the one responsible for the planning and implementation of requirements for carrying out difficult clinical trials, and makes sure that good clinical practices are adhered to strictly.
Clinical research jobs entail data collection and analysis, and research design. They involve the management of the daily operations of the clinical project. The clinical research manager works with the clinical scientist and is responsible for the success of the project, as well as for providing the firm’s team assistance in regard to the project. The clinical research manager is responsible for formulating research processes, safety regulations, and procedures for the laboratory. In cases where the research scientist is absent, the clinical research manager assumes the leadership role in clinical tests and trials. He manages and maintains the clinical experiments and may be in charge of the laboratory and laboratory staff.
Other duties of the clinical research manager may include scheduling meetings with the management, formulating case reports for clinical trials and experiments, supervising location set-up before and after clinical trials, coming up with trial reports, and maintaining a library of completed trials. He or she also ensures that the patients selected for clinical experiments meet the required standards and understand the potential risks involved in the trials.
Education, Training, and Experience
Anyone looking for positions related to clinical research jobs should be an MS or BS holder in a healthcare or other scientific field. He or she has to have at least five to eight years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, in addition to good experience as far as clinical research is concerned. Apart from these qualifications, the individual should have knowledge of clinical trial analysis, design, and reporting. The individual should also be a good team player and possess the ability to dynamically solve challenges involving complex data.
Due to the increasing population of the United States, clinical research jobs will continue to be available. Moreover, new medical technology and the emergence of new treatment methods continues to contribute to an increased demand for clinical research managers. Although these jobs are mainly at research stations and may not be available countrywide, clinical research managers continue to be in high demand, especially with pharmaceutical firms. Clinical researchers have the option of working independently in teams under minimal supervision. Others may, however, work in agencies that give deadlines for projects, and this may require overtime work or even working on weekends.
Advancement
For persons considering clinical research jobs, there are many opportunities for advancement. This only comes, however, after numerous certifications and much experience in the field. Also, there are many career opportunities for people qualified for clinical research jobs. Qualified applicants may also work as clinical research associates, biostatisticians, clinical data programmers, clinical data analysts, clinical data managers, and clinical project managers.
With enough experience, clinical research managers may find themselves heading management and research departments in their agencies. Some clinical research managers with a bachelor’s degree decide to finish their master’s degree programs and opt to become contractual project designers. This gives them a lot of freedom, opportunities to specialize in different fields, and the ability to work for different agencies.
Compensation for clinical research jobs depends on the firm or agency that has employed the given clinical research manager. Educational qualifications and the number of years of experience that the clinical research manager has are strongly considered when awarding salaries. Average wages for government agencies lie at $33,000 annually. However, salaries for experienced researchers may range between $35,000 and $48,000 in those government agencies. Private firms pay much better than government agencies, with their compensation ranging between $41,000 and $46,000 per year. Senior clinical research managers in these agencies have salaries of more than $60,000 annually.
Conclusion
Clinical research jobs are expected to increase as new medical technology is invented and alternative methods of treatment are adopted. Qualified applicants have better chances of landing these jobs, and those with a wealth of experience have excellent opportunities for advancement in their careers. After working for several years, some clinical research managers may opt for private practice, and this may give them excellent opportunities to advance their certifications and, at the same time, work for whichever firms they desire. Clinical research jobs provide exciting careers for persons who love researching independently or as part of specialized teams in pharmaceutical agencies.
