Why one of the hottest occupations in research is clinical operations
admin August 1, 2022 0 Comments

Why one of the hottest occupations in research is clinical operations

The idea that all clinical researchers spend their days “at the bench” is among the most widespread misconceptions about the field. In other words, all researchers are scientists who are creating new medications in labs. While clinical research plays a crucial role in the discovery of new therapies, it is by no means the sole one. In fact, managing a clinical research study’s overall design is one of the management positions with the highest growth in the field of clinical research.

Given that there are thousands of clinical trials running concurrently around the globe, it only makes sense that each trial would need a coordinator to oversee all the various parts of the procedure. A crucial component of the clinical trial process in all phases is clinical operations, or clinical research administration, which makes sure that trials proceed without hiccups and in accordance with all necessary procedures. Clinical operations help organizations and researchers toward producing innovative and exciting medical breakthroughs by combining both the scientific and business management parts of clinical research.

Why there is a need for clinical operations?

Clinical trials are intricate processes with numerous moving components, from subject recruiting to FDA approval at the end. That complexity only grows as research spreads around the globe and technologies like eCOA clinical trials and others become more widely used, necessitating a deeper fusion of research and commercial concepts and procedures. Not to mention, changes in patient care standards, advances in diagnostics, and novel therapeutic approaches are fueling the area of clinical research’s overall explosive expansion and the demand for clinical research practitioners in all administrative and research-related roles.

Clinical operations positions range from administrative positions that assist with day-to-day trial operations to clinical research directors who are in charge of all aspects of the study’s operations and oversight. Clinical research associates, who travel between research sites to make sure that all trial sites are adhering to procedures, and clinical study or project managers, who oversee teams on a local or regional level, are other typical professions in the industry. Additionally preparing people for jobs as medical writers and on Institutional Review Boards is the experience in clinical operations.

However, regardless of the precise job title, the clinical operation is a sought-after specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field of medical management, which includes clinical research management, is predicted to expand by 17 percent by 2024, substantially faster than the national average. The number of job listings for clinical research positions surged by 50% in 2015 alone, according to CKClinical, a clinical research recruitment service in the UK. The number of jobs in independent laboratories is projected to rise dramatically as more pharmaceutical and biotechnology businesses outsource their research, making this field a logical choice for anyone with research experience.

Working in clinical operations:

The variety of tasks involved in clinical operations necessitates the knowledge and expertise of people with backgrounds in both research and business. The ability to communicate, however, may be one of the most crucial abilities since these responsibilities frequently demand one to work with other leaders in the drug development process. Organization, experience in clinical research across all study phases, and knowledge of various medicines are additional crucial abilities.

The majority of those who work in clinical research operations have backgrounds in clinical research or healthcare, including pharmacy. There are still very few university programs that are exclusively focused on clinical operations, despite the field’s fast expansion. That said, as a means of gaining experience, many operations professionals start out with a degree in biosciences or another science-related discipline and work as clinical trial assistants. The Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) credential from the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals, which certifies that you have met the organization’s professional standards and are qualified to serve in a research leadership role, depends on your ability to demonstrate that you have the necessary experience.

The gratification that comes from taking part in potentially life-saving research is, of course, the payout of a career in clinical operations, but the remuneration is also competitive. While administrative positions typically pay between $100,000 and $130,000 per year, a clinical research director can make well over $200,000.

Clinical research encompasses much more than simply testing and analyzing substances and data at a lab bench. Many studies wouldn’t even be able to start without research activities. Don’t discount an operations position as a career opportunity in clinical research or as your next step; it’s an interesting and in-demand choice.

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