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Clinical Research Assistant Job Description
The clinical research assistant job description is a long one. The clinical research assistant provides assistance to the research program in every aspect from filing paperwork to dealing directly with patients and their families. The research assistant must possess both experience in the medical or research field as well as have at least a Bachelors degree in one of many different scientific fields with nursing and biology being the most popular. Many companies also require that the research assistant also have experience in the research or medical field on top of their education. In exchange for the education and experience the research assistant brings to their employer, they will be rewarded with not only the feeling of helping others, but also a generous salary which ranges from $30,000 per year to $60,000 per year plus benefits such as medical and dental insurance.
Clinical Research Assistant Job Description
Part of the clinical research assistant job description is that they must be willing to work any hour’s necessary to get their clinical trials up and running smoothly. This can include working in a lab up to 80 hours per week plus being on call at other times. When a trial gets approval, sometimes there is little warning when a candidate can begin the trial which the research assistant needs to be present for.
One of the larger parts of the clinical research assistant job description is that they all must deal with patients. Whether they work in a hospital or pharmaceutical venue, patient relations is a large part of the job. In pharmaceutical, it is part of the clinical research assistant job description to handle any and all phone calls from potential candidates for the trial, and then they must go through each candidate to determine who qualifies and notify them of this qualification. Once the trial begins, the research assistant must explain the trial and any complications to both the patient and their family and then stay with them for up to the first 24 hours after they take the medication since this is the main time when any side effects may arise. When working in a hospital setting, the research assistant will maintain the vital signs of the patient both before and after the clinical trial. Once again, it is up to the research assistant to explain to the patient and the family the entire trial and any possible complications that may arise. In addition, when the trial is ongoing, they will also keep the family of the patient in the loop as to how the procedure is going.
Paperwork and Filing
Another main feature of the clinical research assistant job description is that of filing and paperwork. It is the job of the assistant to ensure all the clinical trial paperwork is complete, correct and filed when and where it is needed. The assistant needs to be aware of when, how and where the various paperwork needs to be filed to ensure accuracy for the trial, even the slightest mistake, such as missing a filing deadline or filing in the wrong place or wrong wording can destroy a clinical trial that could help thousands of people. If you want to get a job as a clinical research assistant, consider going back to school. You will be glad you did.
