How to Become a Clinical Research Associate

It appears that several Clinical Research Coordinators are interested in becoming a Clinical Research Associate (CRA). Switching careers is never easy but you’ve won half the battle because a Clinical Research Coordinator and Clinical Research Associate both should know the applicable laws, regulations and protocol requirements governing clinical trials. How one applies that knowledge is what distinguishes the Clinical Research Coordinator from the Clinical Research Associate. This article is going to tell you how to switch from a Clinical Research Coordinator job to a Clinical Research Associate position and achieve your career goal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Printer

1. Re-write your resume. As stated, most Clinical Research Coordinators have the basic knowledge to perform the tasks generally delegated to a Clinical Research Associate but the resume does not show that. For example, as a Clinical Research Coordinator, you enter data about the patients and the investigational product into sponsor provided forms or databases. Hopefully, you also verify that your entries are accurate. As a Clinical Research Associate, you will verify that the data entered by the investigator site’s staff is accurate and compliant with the protocol. Edit your resume and place emphasis on the “verification” process. For tips on writing your resume, check out this article: http://www.ehow.com/how_2300658_write-perfect-resume.html
2. Review the job description for the CRA position and where applicable, use the same keywords in your resume that the sponsor used in the job description. These are terms that you have in common with the future employer and using them implies that you speak the same language. Don’t use words that you’re not familiar with or know the meaning of. The internet is a great source and you should be able to obtain the definition of common industry acronyms with no problem.
3. Arrange to accompany a Clinical Research Associate on a monitoring visit to determine if you’re comfortable with the monitoring process compared to the Clinical Research Coordinator function before you switch careers. There are also classes you can take where they provide hands-on CRA work to ensure you have actual monitoring experience.
4. Step outside your box. If you’re going to work as a Clinical Research Associate, you will need to adjust your thought process. As a CRA, your priorities change as your main focus is to ensure the sponsor’s protocol and the federal regulations and international guidelines were adhered. A sponsor’s priorities differ from the clinical investigator. The clinical investigator’s main focus is patient safety while the sponsor’s main focus is protocol adherence and meeting timelines, especially if they are a publicly trading company.
5. Befriend the Clinical Research Associates currently visiting your site. Networking is invaluable and the saying “it’s who you know, not what you know” is truer than you think. The CRA’s company might have openings or they might know of someone looking and willing to take on an inexperienced CRA.
6. Take classes and join forums related to Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and ensure you are familiar with common industry terms and the various processes involved in the pharmaceutical industry. Become familiar with industry concerns and current practices. A good source for training and other related clinical research information is www.wqats.com.
7. Get certified. Even if you are a licensed nurse or some other medical professional, a GCP certification is invaluable in this business. Two well know organizations for obtaining certifications are www.acrp.org and www.socra.org. I’m partial to the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) certification because they certify all clinical research professionals and offers the designation Certified Clinical Research Professional instead of Certified Clinical Research Associate which certifies you as a CRA only.