clinical research coordinators...UNITE!!!

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm working as a CRC while applying for med school, and was wondering who else is out there doing the same. I always here about pre-meds working as CRCs before going off to med school, but never got the chance to talk to any of them.

Plus, I was just wondering if you guys wanted to share you insight about the job, experiences, advice, etc.

 

[namsoon]

I'm one. Though I'm technically a Research Data Coordinator...I still handle clinical stuff though.

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

 

[Daydreamer2008]

Research Coordinator here!! I LOVE MY JOB. 😍I actually look forward to getting up in the morning. 🙂

 

[etf]

the only thing that could possibly be more boring than clinical research is coordinating it

 

[sosarah]

So what do you do, where do you do it, and what are the requirements?

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

What you do: You help to carry out clinical trials, i.e. trials involving new experimental drugs, drugs already approved but for a different indication, or a new procedure, etc. The coordinator does most of the data collection, which can range from simply talking to and observing patients to collecting specimens and EKG's, etc. The coordinator also maintains all the official documents that keeps the study legal (safety reports and such) and reports the results back to the sponsor and/or review board.

Where you do it: Clinics, hospitals (all sorts of departments), VA/nursing homes, dialysis centers (that's where I mostly work), doctor's offices, etc.

Requirements: Not too much, (I'm not sure if a Bachelor's is even strictly required), but you need to do some quick online courses regarding FDA and GCP guidelines (not full-blown courses, each one doesn't take more than a day).


However, I'm sure all this can vary greatly from study to study, but that's what I've learned from it so far. 🙂

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

I've only been doing it for a few months, so I want to make sure that I'm getting the most I can out of it. Some days, I look back think I've learned so much from this experience, but on others (when it gets particularly boring and monotonous) I feel like this might not be enough preparation in the eyes of adcoms. Which is pretty much why I posted this, to see what others felt about the field, and what they got out of it, and advice. 😀

 

[Depakote]

Been there, done that.

 

[Depakote]

I've only been doing it for a few months, so I want to make sure that I'm getting the most I can out of it. Some days, I look back think I've learned so much from this experience, but on others (when it gets particularly boring and monotonous) I feel like this might not be enough preparation in the eyes of adcoms. Which is pretty much why I posted this, to see what others felt about the field, and what they got out of it, and advice. 😀

hmm, what did I get out of it?

I had a good time, it was a good pre-medical school job. Also, if you can talk to your PI about doing some extra work in exchange for getting your name on a few publications, those will follow you your whole career, definitely worth doing. 👍

 

[twilightcitysky]

I've only been doing it for a few months, so I want to make sure that I'm getting the most I can out of it. Some days, I look back think I've learned so much from this experience, but on others (when it gets particularly boring and monotonous) I feel like this might not be enough preparation in the eyes of adcoms. Which is pretty much why I posted this, to see what others felt about the field, and what they got out of it, and advice. 😀

Some CRC jobs offer a lot more in the way of opportunities than others. I had one where I basically conducted phone interviews all day every day 👎, and now I have one where I get to do phlebotomy, vital sign assessment, grant writing, paper writing, study development, the works. But hey, it's all about how you sell it on your app and in the interview. "I did phone interviews all day every day" becomes "conducted clinical interviews, reviewed medical records, analyzed data and collaborated with study physicians on large-scale, longitudinal, international study on the teratogenic effects of a major class of drugs."

 

[namsoon]

What do I do: Register and screen patient for cervical cancer screening trials, operate the research instrumentation, and write papers. I also just got a sweet business trip out of it 😀

Where I do it: MD Anderson Cancer Center

Requirements: I think the minimum is a high school diploma with two years of experience, but realistically, you need a bachelor's degree (at least for my position).

 

[aaj117]

::raises hand:: i have this job! At an oncology/hematology practice in philly. i definitely think it has helped me to determine that i want to do clinical research in my practice in the future.

 

[Alfalfa Bill]

Yeah! CRCs rock. I've been working as a coordinator for a wound care clinic in New York since June. I found its a great way to get some great exposure to medicine, make some cash before med school starts, and have a flexible schedule to finish apps and go on interviews.

 

[Dienekes]

the only thing that could possibly be more boring than clinical research is coordinating it

Don't forget bench research!

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

lol dienekes your avatar's hilarious 😆

 

[Dienekes]

lol dienekes your avatar's hilarious 😆

Thanks, I think it's appropriate since I'm going through flight training and I do aviation safety research.

 

[go lakers]

CRC.. w00t.

 

[iluvmed&ba6eekh]

flight training sounds like so much fun 😀

 

[Dienekes]

flight training sounds like so much fun 😀

Depends on which part of it and on the weather. It's a lot of work but a lot of fun most of the time.