Clinical Research is about testing the quality, efficiency and safety of medicines, medical devices and procedures used in medical treatments on human beings. Before any new medicine or medical procedure is administered on human beings, law requires that it be tested on a small number of people and its effects noted. It takes years for clinical trials to be completed. Doctors, Managers and Statisticians are some of the main profiles of people that work in the industry. As a part of the industry, you will help make new medicines available to patients.
• Doctors are the main investigators who plan and monitor the trials.
• A Clinical research associate manager runs and monitors the processes of a clinical trial. He assists the investigator (doctor) in all the tasks related to the trial.
• A scientific writer prepares documents and procedures that help in regulatory approvals of a clinical trial.
• A biostatistician uses his knowledge of mathematics in biological systems and procedures. He analyses data derived from the clinical trial.
• Quality analysts ensure that quality and excellence is maintained throughout the clinical trial procedure.
• A data manager supervises data management. He monitors and assists every action right from the data entry process to final analysis.
• A data validator validates and checks the data collected from the clinical trial. He checks for any error or corruption that could affect the clinical trial results.
Usually pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and site management organizations have requirement for all the above positions. You may also work for hospitals or individual data management units.
This profession is open to graduates with a degree or above in life sciences and medical science. One can occasionally enter with a degree from administration side as a site coordinator or clinical trial administrator. There are diploma and post-graduation degrees available in clinical research. Few companies require a PhD and relevant work experience for senior and related positions.
Besides academic knowledge and experience, you must have good communication skills, documentation skills, and desire to learn and work under pressure.
As a clinical research professional you will help bring new treatments to patients. It can be a fulfilling job at the end of the day.
Research is a constant affair and long hours of work and commitment are the 2 most important aspects required in this field.
To know more about what is it like to work for a Hospital, click here.
Career Options in clinical Research
• Doctors are the main investigators who plan and monitor the trials.
• A Clinical research associate manager runs and monitors the processes of a clinical trial. He assists the investigator (doctor) in all the tasks related to the trial.
• A scientific writer prepares documents and procedures that help in regulatory approvals of a clinical trial.
• A biostatistician uses his knowledge of mathematics in biological systems and procedures. He analyses data derived from the clinical trial.
• Quality analysts ensure that quality and excellence is maintained throughout the clinical trial procedure.
• A data manager supervises data management. He monitors and assists every action right from the data entry process to final analysis.
• A data validator validates and checks the data collected from the clinical trial. He checks for any error or corruption that could affect the clinical trial results.
Usually pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations and site management organizations have requirement for all the above positions. You may also work for hospitals or individual data management units.
Prerequisites for Clinical Research Industry
This profession is open to graduates with a degree or above in life sciences and medical science. One can occasionally enter with a degree from administration side as a site coordinator or clinical trial administrator. There are diploma and post-graduation degrees available in clinical research. Few companies require a PhD and relevant work experience for senior and related positions.
Besides academic knowledge and experience, you must have good communication skills, documentation skills, and desire to learn and work under pressure.
Advantages
As a clinical research professional you will help bring new treatments to patients. It can be a fulfilling job at the end of the day.
Disadvantages
Research is a constant affair and long hours of work and commitment are the 2 most important aspects required in this field.
To know more about what is it like to work for a Hospital, click here.
