How to Become a Clinical Research Assistant

Clinical research remains a field of rapid growth with a significant impact on global human health. The clinical research assistant is a trained professional who helps facilitate the design, planning, implementation and review of research data obtained from clinical studies. Be part of the biotechnology evolution by learning how to become a clinical research assistant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clinical experience (varies)
• Bachelor of Science degree

1. Prepare to become a clinical research assistant by obtaining the necessary educational requirements. You will need a Bachelor of Science degree (or a Registered Nurse degree) and from 6 months to 2 years of practical clinical experience in applied medicine, research, the pharmaceutical industry or a similar background.

2. Expect that you may be able to become a clinical research assistant without having any previous clinical experience if you possess an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D., Pharm. D., or M.D.

3. Be prepared to demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills. The clinical research assistant is often called on to recruit investigators for clinical studies, as well as prepare protocols, draft procedures and reports and present them at meetings and conferences.

4. Be aware that you should have at least a basic understanding of statistical analysis and data management systems, such as Oracle Clinical.

5. Know that the clinical research assistant also plays the role of "watchdog" in terms of making sure clinical trials adhere to regulatory standards and ethical guidelines. To this end, you must be familiar with Good Clinical Practice standards regulated by the Federal Drug Administration.

6. Become a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (see Resources below). This professional organization offers an annual conference, networking resources to find a job as a clinical research assistant, advanced educational courses and certification programs.

7. Browse the online classifieds on the Society of Clinical Research Associates website to apply for a position as a clinical research assistant (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Since clinical research jobs can be difficult to come by, you may want to be willing to take a job in whatever field comes available, even if it's not your field of choice. For example, if you're interested in being an assistant for research on diseases, you may want to search for positions in closely related fields, such as nursing or even physical therapy.

Resources

• Society of Clinical Research Associates membership
• Job postings from the Society of Clinical Research Associates

[yalinchan]

on 10/4/2009 i am an experienced CTA for 10 yrs at present now. I am agree with the post as well, but practically, CTA's job description is much like CRA's assistant and dont have enough training from your company. so you have to dig out what u can do for ur dept and creat your value via daily works. or u are going to be kinda administrator and no progression on ur career. and about progression, as i know. i have 10 yrs work experienced already until now. u just have one way to go if you wanna stay in research field. be a qualified CRA or transfer to marketing area. cus that is the problem i am suffering now. - sharing from a 10 yrs CTA.

[jj135]

on 11/12/2008 Not true! I know couple of people who graduated from Yale with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in History and with no job experience, who are working as Clinical Research Assistants.