High School

Classes that are a good foundation for future clinical research coordinator work include math, science, English, health science, psychology, statistics, and computer science (including artificial intelligence, data analytics, and database management). Clinical research is conducted in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and institutional policies, and coordinators must have a good grasp of ethics. If your school offers ethics classes, be sure to add them to your curriculum. Knowledge of a foreign language may also be helpful for future work on international projects.

Postsecondary Education

A bachelors degree is required for clinical research coordinator jobs. Many coordinators have a bachelors in clinical research, which includes courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, biomedical ethics, psychology, pharmacology, and business management. Students also learn scientific methods and laboratory procedures, and how to start, research, and coordinate clinical trials and record data properly. Many schools require students to be certified in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and to pass a drug-screening test to participate in the laboratory classes.

Certification

Some colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in clinical research, clinical trials management, related fields, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. These programs allow aspiring clinical research professionals to explore the field without having to enroll in a more expensive degree program and the opportunity for current professionals to expand their skills and knowledge. Certificate programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. One such program is provided by the University of Chicago, which offers a noncredit certificate program in clinical trials management and regulatory compliance. Students can complete the program by taking the following courses: Good Clinical Practices; The Drug Development Process; Statistical Concepts for Clinical Research; Fundamentals of Site Management; Fundamentals of Clinical Monitoring; and Project Management and Leadership in the Healthcare Industry.

Other Education or Training

Continuing education seminars, webinars, and other learning opportunities are provided by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Society for Clinical Trials, and the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Contact these organizations for more information.

Knowledge of various computer software programs (e.g., drug-coding, patient-tracking) is required for clinical research jobs. Coordinators can take computer science classes that are offered by colleges, vocational schools, and professional associations for clinical research professionals.

Certification or Licensing

Clinical research coordinators who have received voluntary certification demonstrate their knowledge and skills to prospective employers. In addition, the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SCRA) says that, with certification, "career advancement and increased earning potential become tangible outcomes, reflecting a commitment to standards, compliance, and integrity." The SCRA offers the certified clinical research professional credential to applicants who pass a comprehensive examination.The Association of Clinical Research Professionals offers the certified clinical research coordinator credential to individuals who meet education and work experience requirements and pass an exam. There are also certification programs for clinical research associates, principal investigators, and clinical research professionals who demonstrate knowledge of medical device trials. Clinical research coordinators do not need to be licensed.

Entry-level positions for clinical research coordinators often require at least one or two years of prior experience monitoring clinical research trials.

Coordinators must have strong organizational and research skills, the ability to work well with team members and subjects, and clear communication skills. The job entails gathering and analyzing information and solving problems. In addition to interpersonal abilities, strong technology knowledge is required for tracking patients, recording data, and writing reports. People who do well in this field have initiative and are willing to step up to various responsibilities and challenges. They are able to stay on top of all the details, are adaptable to changing work conditions, and approach their work in an honest, ethical manner.