Working Conditions, Etc.

Just wondering if anybody had any input.

We do have backup coverage in our office as there are two study coordinators other than myself. We also have data managers assigned to each coordinator that can take over certain tasks if one of us is out. However, unlike my experience in my bedside position, I cannot leave my work at the office. Rarely have I had a vacation or sick day where I did not have to answer questions via phone or email. I am ok with this and expect it as I know my patients and protocols much better than my colleagues. I would rather have a one min phone conversation than have to come back to work and deal with protocol deviations, etc.

Thanks for the information. I figured that nobody would know a study like it's coordinator would, but I was just concerned that the general rule was that there was no backup to take immediate care in the case of a study emergency/or minor detail till the study's coordinator could be reached. i.e. what if he/she was not in cell range, sick and unable to answer the phone/email, or at the movies, etc. The place I shadowed at, the study coordinator had no backup especially when she had to fly out of state to take care of family business.

People get sick and have to take time off. If there wasn't another person available for coverage a sub investigator or PI would need to step up to the plate. It rarely happens in reality, however if you are looking at a position like you described then I would ask the investigators if they are capable of running the show on their own. But honestly I wouldn't take a job where I was responsible for everything, especially if you are new to research. You really need a mentor for the first year at least. I am still teaching my boss, ironically, about research and she has been in the field for 3.5 years.