Anyone here a CRA or have another job in clinical research? I'm trying to break into this field but my degree in Biological Sciences and my general research experience doesn't seem to be enough. Any suggestions?

2/28/2007 11:17:07 AM

I think you have to get certification in it.

2/28/2007 11:22:53 AM

I don't believe there's certification necessary, just experience. All of the listings want clinical research experience in some capacity, even the entry-level stuff.

2/28/2007 11:24:30 AM

I think you can get some training/classes from UNC or Duke.

2/28/2007 11:28:32 AM

Talk to a professor. Typically that's how you get in.

2/28/2007 12:03:53 PM

i would push a bit harder on the statistics side, like go for a masters in biostatistics and try to get an internship along the way

2/28/2007 12:45:42 PM

I got a Clinical Programming job and I know jack shit about pharmaceuticals, nor do I care to.

http://www.incresearch.com/careers/jobsdesc.php?jID=1154

Gives a decent description of CRA, at least at my company. That is a CRA II position, so not exactly entry level.

2/28/2007 1:08:20 PM

^I hadn't come across that website, thanks!

^^^^Duke and UNC offer some classes, I thought about taking classes through Campbell's RTP location. They offer a masters in clinical studies.

2/28/2007 3:53:07 PM

its insanely hard to get into unless you know someone

2/28/2007 10:03:10 PM

I'm going to bring this back because I'm still looking. I've turned down some offers because they were pretty low but I've heard some entry-level positions start around 40k, which would be fine. Any more thoughts would be more than welcome.

4/7/2007 3:15:32 AM

my wife is a CRC. shes also an RN.

if you dont have experience, you're gonna need luck. or timing. or know someone.

otherwise it can be hard to break into.

you might want to consider the lower paying entry level positions, then immediately start working on your certification. being a non-medical person, you'll really need that certification if you want to get anywhere.

ill ask my wife about it tomorrow.





[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 3:28 AM. Reason : ]

4/7/2007 3:25:45 AM

^Yes it is hard to break into. Sometimes even knowing somebody isn't enough but it definitely helps. I'd be curious what your wife has to say.

4/7/2007 3:33:58 AM

I tried for three months after graduation to get in to that field. 100 applications or so later, I still didn't have a single interview. All's well that ends well though, I love my job as an environmental consultant. Good luck.

4/7/2007 9:48:42 AM