Career Progression in Clinical Research: Transitioning from a Clinical Research Coordinator to a Monitoring Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Thomas Boothby, MS, CCRP CRA II, Boston Scientific

Abstract: Research coordinators may transition to clinical research associates/monitors during their careers. This article provides an overview of how to determine whether it is the right time to make this transition, how to evaluate current competencies and gaps that must be filled in order to make this transition, and how to address needs during the on-boarding process. A roadmap in the form of a checklist is provided to help make the transition from research coordinator to clinical research associate (CRA) a smooth one.

Disclosure: The author has a relevant financial relationship with respect to this article with Boston Scientific, where he is employed as a monitoring CRA.

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A Modern CRA Perspective on the Use of Technology in Clinical Trials

By Takoda Roland, CCRA, CCRP

Founder of Philadelphia Pharmaceutical Research

Disclaimer: The examples noted in the following are all firsthand accounts of the author, but for the purpose of this article have been combined into a single site visit. The visit depicted below is an aggregate of many sites and studies and is not necessarily an exact representation. The original version was written entirely on a smartphone while flying from Philadelphia to Puerto Rico.

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Successful Collaboration Between the Clinical Research Site and the Monitor

Sharon Appelman-Eszczuk, BScN, RN, CCRP
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
University of Alberta  

Cathy Laferriere, BSc
Senior CRA
Quintiles Canada

Abstract: Good communication is the key to successful collaboration between clinical research site staff and the monitor, facilitating recruitment and ensuring compliance with Health Canada regulations. This article provides an overview of the monitor’s expectations of the site staff and the site staff’s expectations of the monitor. Tools to aid the site staff and the monitor in working together are provided. Scenarios describe possible issues that arise in monitor-site staff relationships and illustrate ways to resolve situations where the site staff and the monitor do not see eye to eye.

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