Clinical Research Coordinators
O*NET files this work under Clinical Research Coordinators: people who plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. The strongest interest signal is Investigative (5.9 of 7), then Conventional (4.8) and Enterprising, which gives it the code ICE. The preparation level is considerable preparation, typically a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. O*NET’s skill data points to writing, reading comprehension, and active listening as the ones to build. One core duty is to schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols. A regular part of the work is to perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.
What they do
Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.
Main tasks
- Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols.
- Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms.
- Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.
- Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.
- Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected.
- Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies.
Skills
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
- You are comfortable relying on writing and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.6 out of 7 here.
- You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ICE takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.
Preparation
Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Clinical Coordinator
- Clinical Program Coordinator
- Clinical Program Manager
- Clinical Research Administrator
- Clinical Research Coordinator
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.