What is a Clinical Research Coordinator?

There are many different roles that have to be filled in order for a clinical trial to run smoothly.

A very important role is the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) who works very closely with the Principal Investigator and other study members including the research participants. Generally, the CRC supports, manages and coordinates all activities within the trial. A Clinical Research Coordinator may be a person with a education background in the life sciences, nursing, or other medical related fields.

The CRC’s make sure that all members of the research team and the trial itself are in compliance with all the rules and regulations that govern the process of conducting clinical trials. They also make sure that all materials and supplies used and needed for the study are safely housed and stored during the trial.

Clinical Research Coordinators take a lead role in gathering patients for medical trials through a recruiting and screening process to ensure applicants fit the guidelines of the trial. Throughout the course of a trial, the CRC keeps track of each patient and aids the Investigators in monitoring participant health, safety and progress, all of which the CRC reports to the Investigators of the study and the company sponsoring the trial.

Clinical Research Coordinators have to be good managers, be detail oriented and must be able to multi-task. Managing a clinical trial, no matter the size or complexity, requires efficient management of time, people and resources. In fact, the Clinical Research Coordinator can often make the difference between a successful or not successful trial.

Being a Clinical Research Coordinator is a demanding job. Medical research and drug trials are so important to the advancement of medical science and health care. Without efficient and effective Clinical Research Coordinators, the process of developing new drugs and treatments to improve our lives would be greatly hampered.