Consider a career in clinical trials

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If you want to work in an administration role that makes a real difference in the world, you may be interested in becoming a clinical research associate. Clinical research associates help to organise the information that contributes to extremely important scientific discoveries that can improve the world.

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Career prospects

There are lots of career prospects for a clinical research associate. Associates can move up the levels within an organisation as they gain experience and learn new abilities; for example, new employees can work up to the position of senior CRA within a few years.

As you gain more responsibilities, you will try new things, such as collecting data, organising information and setting up trials. Senior CRAs also help to manage multiple sites and to mentor and train new employees. In general, the work is varied and interesting and you will have lots of opportunities to learn useful new skills.

The starting salary for a clinical research associate is generally between £22,000 and £28,000, but salaries can go up to £60,000 for senior positions. It is important to note that salaries vary between organisations.

If you are interested in working as a clinical research associate, you can check out Paid Medical Trials available from providers such as www.trials4us.co.uk and they will give you advice on what they do, who can get involved and what sort of jobs and careers are available in the industry.

The job

There are lots of different tasks that clinical research associates do at work. Their main role is to help coordinate the collection, storage and distribution of the data that is recorded during clinical trials; however, clinical research associates also create templates for data collection, write clinical trial protocols, make sure that trials are conducted ethically, set up trial sites, and ensure that trials are conducted by following set regulations.

Necessary qualifications

If you want to work as a clinical research associate, you will need either a graduate or post-graduate degree in medical science, life science or nursing. It is also useful to have a qualification in chemistry, anatomy, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, immunology or physiology; however, this qualification is not necessary to become a clinical research associate.

While an extra qualification can be beneficial, a graduate degree is essential. You may be able to gain employment in a research environment completing administrative duties without a graduate degree; however, if you wish to work alongside the trials, this degree is vital.