Originally Posted by jjjoy
I'm guessing it's Clinical Research Assistant and Clinical Research Coordinator. What these titles reflect however may have more to do with each organization's job description as opposed to a generally accepted definition.
I'm also guessing that, in general, the CRA positions have less responsibilities than the CRC positions. Though I recently ran across two CRC positions - one required a RN and involved the nurse running several studies from start to finish whereas the other one didn't require a RN and was mostly limited to coordinating patient appointments throughout the study period.
In the mid-ninties I was a CRA for several studies at the facility I worked at. I scheduled all appointments, the investigator admitted patients to the study. I did all the prep and blood work. I sent in the specimens. I met with the QA/QC on timely basis ( at times up to 6 in one visit as our facility was the 3rd highest enroller in the country). I charted, I filled out all outgoing paperwork. I attended the meetings prior to the start of a study throughout the country. The last study I was involved with included 16 cuntries, with Sweden the head of this particular study. I charged my facility x amount of dollars per patient, the facility itself and the investigater were compensated along with our patients.
Very strict protocols are folllowed and I love clinical research. I have participated in Phase 3 and 4 studies. I would do it again in a minute. I am an LPN and received very good written references from the pharmaceutical companies.
I should add that I did not have hospital patients that required IV meds, I was not qualified for that. However I did receive hospital privleges to review charts and to see that our hospitalized patients received the correct blood draws at the correct times. We mainly were involved with HTN and Antibiotic studies. I have also worked with a study involving breast implants.
After I complete my RN Iam interested in returning to research or another arena of patient care.
I believe that many areas mentioned above have changed over to RN's and BSN's.
I still think there are "assistants at various places for scheduling and other tasks, perhaps paperwork keeping and files. And of course answering phones and taking messages.
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