Clinical research is a scientific field that studies human health and disease. This field is integral to the development of new drugs and treatments. Clinical researchers work to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. Without clinical research, we would not have many of the life-saving medicines we have today.
The field of clinical research is expected to grow in the coming years. This is due to the advancement of medical technology and the need for more effective treatments for diseases. The most common disorders that need treatment are cancer, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
What is clinical research?
Clinical research is the science of developing new medical treatments. It studies how new medical treatments and therapies work in humans. These treatments may be new drugs, surgical procedures, or new ways to use existing treatments. This field also involves determining the effectiveness and safety of diagnostic products, treatment regimens, devices, and medications intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis, or relieving disease symptoms.
Clinical research is conducted in four phases. In the first phase of trials, clinical researchers test a new treatment or drug in a small group. In Phase II clinical trials, the research is expanded to a larger group of people. In Phase III clinical trials, the new drug or treatment is compared to the current treatment to see if it is better. Finally, post-marketing studies are conducted in Phase IV clinical trials to gather information on the drug’s risks, benefits, and optimal use.
If you’re asking yourself, “What can I do with a master’s in nursing?” click here. There are many different things that you can do with a master’s in nursing, such as becoming a nurse practitioner. A career as a clinical researcher is also a great option for those with a master’s in nursing. As a clinical researcher, you can work in various settings, including hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies. You can research various topics, such as new treatments and medications.
Clinical researchers must have a strong background in nursing. They must work independently, think critically, and be detail-oriented. While assessing the quality of health research, clinical researchers must be able to think quickly and solve problems. They must also be able to communicate effectively with people throughout the clinical studies.
Clinical research career path
A clinical research career allows you to provide direct care services to people with chronic diseases while working on exciting projects that can make a difference in their lives. There are many different job roles to transition to in clinical research. These roles range from research nurses to data managers. Each part is vital to the success of a clinical research project.
Here are some jobs roles available in the field of clinical research:
1. Entry-level clinical research associate (CRA)
An entry-level clinical research associate may help the principal investigator (PI) plan the study. They study background information about the medication or therapy that is being tested. They may develop a research protocol and help design an informed consent form. Clinical research associates also coordinate the recruitment of subjects for the study by setting up interviews and screening potential candidates to determine if they qualify for specific research.
Here are a few more responsibilities of a CRA:
- Instructing clinicians and briefing trial investigators on the process of conducting trials.
- We are designing trial materials and writing up clinical trial methodologies.
- We are preparing final reports while monitoring how clinical trials progress.
- You are authenticating and designing data collection forms and managing regulatory approvals and applications/approvals.
2. Clinical research coordinator
A clinical research coordinator (CRC) helps plan and coordinate the clinical research process. They assist in all clinical trial phases, from enrolling study participants to collecting data. A PI or manager typically oversees them. A CRC is a liaison between the researcher, the participant, and the sponsor/pharmaceutical company funding the study.
Some responsibilities of a clinical research coordinator include the following:
- Creating clinical trial protocols.
- Helping to define the study objectives. Setting up clinical research support services.
- We are updating and editing the protocol to respond to changes in the study design, participants, or locations.
- I am preparing investigator agreements.
- Drafting consent letters for study participants and sponsors/pharmaceutical companies.
- We identify potential conflicts of interest for investigators (PI) and other personnel involved in the clinical trial, assisting with conflict mitigation procedures where necessary.
3. Clinical research data specialist
A clinical research data specialist helps collect, manage, analyze, and interpret the data for a clinical trial. They are responsible for the integrity of the data in the study. Their job is to ensure that any changes made to a survey are recorded properly and accurately. A clinical research data specialist also performs the following responsibilities:
- Recruiting study participants for clinical trials.
- Analyzing and monitoring statistical data in a clinical trial.
- Using specialized computer software to analyze the data from a clinical trial, such as SAS statistical software.
- They identify any irregularities or errors in the data and ensure that they are reported and resolved so that the integrity of the study is not compromised.
- They conducted spot checks to ensure research staff appropriately entered data into databases.
4. Medical laboratory scientist
A medical laboratory scientist is a licensed scientific health professional who works in a hospital, performing tests and analyses on biological specimens. They collect, prepare, test, analyze, and report patient lab work. They may work with a medical research team to help develop new lab tests. A medical laboratory scientist also does the following:
- We are collecting and processing biological specimens.
- They perform laboratory tests to assess the state of health of a patient.
- I am preparing patient specimens for analysis.
- Analyzing and interpreting laboratory results and other tests to help diagnose disease and monitor treatment progress.
5. Clinical research nurse
A clinical research nurse (CRN) is a registered nurse who is involved in patient care while participating in clinical trials. They may be involved with developing a clinical trial, such as helping to design the study protocol and conducting interviews with potential candidates. A CRN ensures that researchers and study participants adhere to the study guidelines. Some more responsibilities of the CRN include the following:
- We are conducting group and individual interviews with potential research candidates.
- They are providing the research team with feedback regarding patient health and how they respond to treatments or medications in a clinical trial.
- I am following up with patients who drop out of a study due to side effects or other health concerns.
- Recruiting study participants.
- We are working with other research staff to ensure the integrity of the data.
- We are evaluating and monitoring the study results.
6. Clinical project manager
A clinical project manager (CPM) oversees clinical research studies. They ensure that clinical trials are conducted according to the protocol and adjust practices if needed. Clinical project managers also oversee their study staff, ensuring all teams perform their duties properly. Some of the common responsibilities of a CPM include the following:
- Planning and conducting meetings with other research team members and potential study participants.
- She coordinates and manages the day-to-day activities of a clinical trial.
- We are monitoring the progress of clinical trials.
- They are controlling the budget for a clinical trial.
- They report results to the sponsor/pharmaceutical company and adjust as needed.
- It addresses any accidents or adverse events that occur during a study.
7. Biostatistician
A biostatistician is a health professional who analyzes, evaluates, and manages statistics collected during clinical trials. They study data to determine if a drug or treatment works correctly and is safe for public use. Some of the responsibilities of a biostatistician include the following:
- Analyzing the results of statistical studies.
- Diagnosing and treating diseases.
- They are testing new drugs and medical devices, such as studying how they affect laboratory animals.
- We are applying statistical methods to make the data from a clinical trial more meaningful.
- I am generating final results and reporting them to the study sponsor/pharmaceutical company.
- We are monitoring compliance with the procedures of a clinical trial and making changes as needed.
- We are identifying potential problems with the research, such as partial data or fraud.
8. Clinical investigator
The clinical investigator oversees the research, which involves supervising all study aspects. They have a strong background in clinical research, which includes understanding all aspects of a particular study and communicating effectively with participants and their families.
The clinical investigator is also responsible for providing feedback on the results of the study to guide other researchers so that they can continue studying or planning additional studies in similar areas. Clinical investigators must work well as part of a team and must attend meetings when needed. In addition, clinical investigators do the following:
- They are performing clinical studies to find ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases.
- They are recruiting research participants for their clinical studies.
- We are studying the effectiveness of different treatments or medications on humans.
- They analyze the data they collect in a study using specialized statistical software.
- We are preparing reports.
- We are presenting findings at scientific conferences or through journal publications.
9. Patient recruitment specialist
A patient recruitment specialist recruits people to participate in clinical trials. Their main job is to travel to different areas throughout the country and meet with candidates interested in participating in a clinical trial. Some of the responsibilities of a patient recruitment specialist include the following:
- I attended conferences and networking events to attract potential study participants.
- I wrote press releases in newspapers, magazines, and online publications to attract potential study participants.
- I am performing phone interviews with potential research candidates.
- Meeting with potential research candidates in person to discuss clinical trials.
- We are conducting in-person interviews with potential participants.
10. Patient compliance monitor
A patient compliance monitor (PCM) is a health professional who ensures that patients participating in a clinical trial are well-informed about the study, understand their medicine and treatment, and follow the study’s protocol. They may also monitor how well a patient tolerates a new drug and how it affects their daily lives. The responsibilities of a PCM include the following:
- Ensuring that patients understand the nature of a clinical trial, how it fits into the patient’s treatment plan, and what they should expect.
- It is obtaining informed consent from study participants.
- She is assisting researchers who are conducting interviews with potential study participants.
- They are posting signs in the areas where study participants are located to inform them about the research being conducted at the site.
11. Pharmacovigilance
Pharmacovigilance is the study of the adverse effects of drugs. Pharmacovigilance specialists work for pharmaceutical companies to monitor the public use of medications and report any side effects or adverse events related to the medicine. They may also investigate if there is a risk for the treatment to interact with other drugs or cause other patient problems. The responsibilities of a pharmacovigilance specialist include the following:
- They are approving drug samples from pharmaceutical companies to distribute them to hospitals and clinics so they can be used in clinical trials.
- They are investigating if new drugs are causing problems in public.
- It is working with researchers and statisticians to develop statistical models that predict the likelihood of a side effect.
- I am analyzing data from clinical trials and comparing them to similar studies.
- They verify that drug labels are accurate and include all relevant information about side effects, interactions, dosing instructions, and other issues related to public safety.
12. Trial support staff
The trial support staff manages administrative and procedural tasks required by conducting clinical trials. The responsibilities of a trial support staff include:
- They perform data entry and other clerical tasks to monitor the progress of a clinical trial.
- I am entering data into research databases.
- We manage meetings to discuss study results, problems, and questions with researchers, trial participants, and professional organizations and associations.
- We assist investigators with paperwork related to conducting and monitoring a clinical trial.
Why consider a career in clinical research?
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing professions in the US. You can make a difference in people’s lives by helping them understand their health issues and take steps toward improving their well-being.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of medical scientists, which includes clinical research professionals, will increase by 17% in the next decade. This is especially true for clinical research coordinators, who are expected to have the largest employment growth during this time.
Here are a few more reasons why clinical research is considered a brilliant career path to follow:
1. You will make a difference in the lives of people
Many clinical trials test ways to prevent, diagnose and treat serious diseases. Clinical research professionals are responsible for helping people by providing the necessary tools that will allow researchers to find better ways to treat these illnesses.
2. You will be part of an exciting and challenging career field
The clinical research industry is growing rapidly, and there are many job opportunities for people with varying levels of education and training. You can work as a clinical research professional and make a difference by helping people struggling with serious illnesses.
Clinical research is constantly evolving, with new opportunities continually being discovered to help patients and make a difference in their lives.
3. Clinical research job opportunities are everywhere
Several clinical research job opportunities are available, including research management positions where you can help manage a full clinical trial or be a study coordinator, which involves researching how to perform the most effective treatment on patients and coordinating activities with other professionals.
4. You may be paid to travel all over the world
If you love traveling and you like to help other people, clinical research positions could be a great way for you to have some fun while working at the same time. Clinical research organizations are located worldwide and sometimes need to find people who can work as clinical research professionals in foreign countries. This can be a great opportunity for people who love traveling and helping others.
5. The life sciences sector is a big investment
Clinical research and research organizations are now considered a big investment and viewed as an important and integral part of the US healthcare market. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on clinical research to develop new drugs and devices for treating diseases. This can be great for the life sciences sector because it is expected to lead to many job opportunities for clinical research professionals.
By choosing the clinical research career path, you will benefit in the following ways:
- You will participate in global research conferences.
- Your work will be published in academic journals.
- You will create new advancements and inventions while exploring various medical technologies.
- You will gain knowledge and learn skills for inventing new medicines, equipment, devices, and techniques.
- You will have the chance to meet and work with like-minded professionals and scientists.
- You will be involved in a special project that will change the health of millions of people.
- You will enjoy applying your knowledge, skills, and talents to make a difference in people’s lives.
Enroll for a Master’s in Nursing and start your clinical research career.
The clinical research profession allows you to develop and test new medicines and treatments and provide ideas to improve the well-being of patients with chronic diseases. You will also be responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks to help ensure that new medications are safe and effective before they are used in actual medical practice.
Clinical research is a very rewarding career that can have a huge positive impact on the world and the lives of others. This career path could be the perfect fit for you, but you’ll first need the necessary skills and knowledge. Make sure you have an advanced degree in nursing and get ready to participate in clinical studies.
