Clinical Research Coordinator?

[NJD519]

I hate to start a new thread, but I really need some input on my situation. I currently work in a clinical lab (not research) at a hospital analyzing patient samples. However, I have about 2 years experience in this and recently came across an opportunity to work as a clinical research coordinator.

I'm currently a post-bacc student and was wondering if working as a CRC would be worthwhile. I'm basically trying to beef up my application with better ECs. As a CRC I could get extensive patient contact, although I'm not sure if it is still considered "research" because I'm not in a lab.

If anyone has any advice, I would be more than greatful! Thanks...

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[mspeedwagon]

In theory, I should be the best person to give advice on this since I was once a clinical research coordinator (at the Dana-Farber) and later the lead clinical research coordinator (at Stanford), but would need a few more details to really be helpful. I moved on from there to work in biotech.

First, where are you thinking about being a CRC (what state, what department). The amount of patient contact varies a lot. Some CRCs actually get little patient contact, while others their primary function is to interface with patients. I've been on both sides.

Second, do you really want the job? I found being a CRC fairly dull (and the first year is really the worst). There is lots of documentation and lots of making sure things are handled according to FDA Guidelines (ICH/GCP). Being the lead coordinator was much more interesting and by that point I had the job down cold (but you'd need at least two years to get to the point and probably more).

I do think that clinical research is a good thing to have on your resume and helpful for medical school admissions (especially if you want to work in clinical research as a physician), but I would not consider this an EC activity so much as a job.

So to answer your question more directly:
- If it's something you are interested in, it's definitely worth doing.
- CRC was my first job out of college and it got me to a high paying job in biotech (so you can make a career out of it).
- For medical school, it's a nice to have. If it's your job though, it is not technically an EC activity.

If there is anything else you want to know, I'll try and answer it.

I hate to start a new thread, but I really need some input on my situation. I currently work in a clinical lab (not research) at a hospital analyzing patient samples. However, I have about 2 years experience in this and recently came across an opportunity to work as a clinical research coordinator.

I'm currently a post-bacc student and was wondering if working as a CRC would be worthwhile. I'm basically trying to beef up my application with better ECs. As a CRC I could get extensive patient contact, although I'm not sure if it is still considered "research" because I'm not in a lab.

If anyone has any advice, I would be more than greatful! Thanks...

 

[NJD519]

The position would actually be at the Dana-Farber, in Head and Neck Oncology. It seems like a very interesting job, but I've been trying to get some research into my resume for future medical school application. I figured that this would satisfy research and clinical exposure, that is, if I get patient contact.

As for EC, I guess I meant experience. Both of which are probably equally important. Nonetheless, I'm just trying to take a path that would make me a better candidate for medical school.

I'm just really on the fence here...

 

[mspeedwagon]

Having worked at the Dana-Farber, I would say if this is going to be a one year stint and you are applying for the Fall of 2012, go for it. I have a number of posts on my background, but in short I want to do pediatrics and my experiences in the pediatric oncology department at Dana-Farber and Stanford re-affirmed this.

Here are the pros:
- You will get some, though a bit limited, patient contact (less than you would think, but should suffice).
- You will learn about clinical research and FDA (ICH (International Conference on Harmonization) and GCP (Good Clinical Practice)) guidelines.
- You will form relationships with physicians. I'll be applying for the Fall of 2012 and the top pediatric sarcoma specialist in the country will be writing one of my recommendation letters (and the top neuroblastoma specialist will be writing another).
- You will actually learn a lot medically. I was allowed to attend the sarcoma and solid tumor conference where some of the most complex cancer cases were reviewed.
- Clinical research will add to your application (both as exposure to the clinic and to the research environment)

Here are the cons:
- On a day to day basis the job, especially for the first year is really boring. You have to learn a lot of basics and do a lot of paperwork.
- How much you enjoy this position will really depend on the physician you end up with. Some are much better mentors and nicer than others. If you get a bad one, the job will really suck.
- The pay at the Dana-Farber is low (though this is irrelevant for a one year stint).


Hope the above is helpful.

The position would actually be at the Dana-Farber, in Head and Neck Oncology. It seems like a very interesting job, but I've been trying to get some research into my resume for future medical school application. I figured that this would satisfy research and clinical exposure, that is, if I get patient contact.

As for EC, I guess I meant experience. Both of which are probably equally important. Nonetheless, I'm just trying to take a path that would make me a better candidate for medical school.

I'm just really on the fence here...

 

[NJD519]

That certainly helps out a lot.

When you say this will add research to my application, is there a place on the med school application where I would write this experience in as research or is it just known when I put it in under my job experience? Also, as a CRC, what would be the clinic experience?

I really appreciate your help on this! I'm just not sure how it will look on my application if I change jobs, or do they see it as a more diverse experience? Thank you sooo much.

 

[mspeedwagon]

I guess I should have worded that a tad bit more carefully. I meant it would add as an aspect of the overall application (not directly into the application as research). You are correct, it would be listed as work experience. I can't speak from first hand experience (I'll be applying for the Fall of 2012). My girlfriend was a CRC and she is now a second year medical student. She said that her time as a CRC gave her a lot to talk about at interviews. The projects she was working on, the research being done etc. A detailed knowledge of clinical research in a field she was interested in set her apart.

As a CRC I was more exposed to the behind the scences work. But, I spent some time in the clinic with patients (I was in pediatric oncology working on Phase I trials... lot of end of life. The first experience I had was a 17 year old boy (I was just out of college myself) who was excited about college. He never made it to college though, the cancer killed him. It was a humbling experience). The clinic work varies (collecting blood samples, tissue samples, interview patients (for some roles), and collecting data. To me the coolest part was attending the weekly conferences where really complicated cases were reviewed. The most boring was dealing with IRB (institutional review board) submissions.

That certainly helps out a lot.

When you say this will add research to my application, is there a place on the med school application where I would write this experience in as research or is it just known when I put it in under my job experience? Also, as a CRC, what would be the clinic experience?

I really appreciate your help on this! I'm just not sure how it will look on my application if I change jobs, or do they see it as a more diverse experience? Thank you sooo much.

 

[NJD519]

This definitely sounds like what I am after. I'm actually very interested in oncology, so it would certainly be a great learning experience as well. I'm not sure if this can be considered as clinical experience? Of course, that probably all depends on how much time I get with the patients.

Anyways, it sounds like it is definitely worth a shot. I have my interview tomorrow, so hopefully it goes well. Thanks again for your input, it really helped me.