CRC Position for T-20 School?

[deleted1180676]

Hi everybody. I am graduating in a few days and am spending 2 gap years before medical school.
I have been applying to the NIH IRTA Postbac position, gotten a few interviews, but was denied to a few labs. I am waiting to hear from the cancer institute, seeing as they wanted to hire me but are subjected to a hiring freeze. Additionally, another lab is waiting on funding, so I have 2 plausible options, but don't want to bank on them because of the bureaucratic issues.

I was recently invited to interview for a Clinical Research Program Coordinator position at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center at their School of Medicine. I was wondering if working in this position for two years (so about 4,000 hours) would be sufficient a) clinical and b) research experience for a T-20 school, particularly: UChicago, Northwestern, Pitt.

If not, what do you suggest I do for my gap years? I have about 200 hours of health disparities research from undergrad, but it was very computational and data-analysis heavy.

Thanks!

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[Goro]

It depends upon what you're doing.

Is this merely a logistical position where you recruit people and remind them of their appointments, and only do data entry?

That's not clinical nor research.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As mentioned, titles are important but don't mean anything without knowing your job responsibilities and impact. It's not a ticket to success for brand schools or any medical school.

 

[deleted1180676]

It depends upon what you're doing.

Is this merely a logistical position where you recruit people and remind them of their appointments, and only do data entry?

That's not clinical nor research.

I haven't started, but here is the description. She did mention that the reason there was an opening was because the person I am to replace is going to medical school in the fall:

Data Management

• Manages and coordinates patients on trials which can include ordering, scheduling, patient interactions/assessments, and data input. Utilizing the study calendar, tracks patient progress and upcoming visits for accuracy. May design and compile materials which aid physicians/other staff in complying with protocol requirements for these visits and tests.
• May assist with consenting study participants and documenting the consent process. Documents telephone and other communications with patients per institutional policy.
• Verifies patient eligibility for studies by comparing patient history and clinical laboratory results with protocol requirements. Confirms patient registrations and relevant data points in databases for the SKCCC Clinical Research Office and Oncology Information Systems.
• When necessary, requests pertinent patient records and tissue samples as required.
• Maintains a research chart for each patient. Collects, enters and compiles clinical data from a variety of sources. Ensures accuracy and timeliness of data so that information may be used by the physician in treatment planning for individual patients, presentations and publication.
• Prepares reports on individual patients or the study as required by the principal investigators and/or external agencies. Responds in a timely manner to special projects or queries related to the data.
• Maintains a protocol database or spreadsheet for tracking patient activity and data submission to internal and/or external registries. Makes timely patient status updates and visit check-ins in OnCore.

Regulatory Management

• Maintains good working knowledge of all assigned protocols and reporting requirements. Adheres to all protocol requirements to ensure the validity of the clinical research data.
• Disseminates protocol information and updates to other study team members, as necessary.
• Prepares and submits annual renewal requests, amendments and adverse event reports with clinical input according to IRB and Sponsor requirements.
• Responsible for submission, verification, and maintenance of protocol specific information on the SKCCC Research Protocol Library and OnCore.
• Maintains regulatory binder for each assigned protocol.
• Prepares for and participates in monitoring and audits of studies. Corrects errors in database when necessary.
• Meets regularly with members of the study team to review data accuracy and overall study progress. Participates in all mandatory meetings to develop increasing knowledge of assigned clinical trial and Registry requirements.
• May assist the principal investigator and/or program manager in defining information and plans required to accomplish goals of studies. May help design and create protocol specific data collection forms with assistance.
• Completes minimum requirement for continuing educational units. Has working knowledge of and complies with Good Clinical Practices, ICH Guidelines and SKCCC Clinical Research Office policies.

 

[Goro]

This is logistics, nothing more.

 

[madamemichaelscott]

I took on a 2 year CRC position and was accepted to 3 T20s including Pitt. Your job description is similar to what mine was and gave me substantial clinical and research experience that I wrote about & discussed heavily.

 

[Goro]

I took on a 2 year CRC position and was accepted to 3 T20s including Pitt. Your job description is similar to what mine was and gave me substantial clinical and research experience that I wrote about & discussed heavily.

The bolded is what Adcoms look for in people who have worked as CRCs.

Those who just call up research subjects and remind them of their appointments? No.

 

[ACKjp]

I also worked as a CRC for 1.5 years and had a successful cycle. As others have said the experience can vary greatly, but if you have meaningful patient contact it’ll be good for your application

 

[KaiBuzz]

I also worked as a CRC at a top academic medical center and had a very successful cycle. All of my lab colleagues are also attending medical school now.

 

[MD_Maker]

You can pursue research outside of your official role, with any of the research faculty you encounter. My students do this all the time. Publications are always nice, and they survive in medical school; you can use them on your residency application.