Clinical research is one of the intensively sprouting industries at an astonishing rate opening up a wide scope of employment opportunities for trained professionals.
Clinical research is relatively a niche segment in India. A decade ago, there were not many Contract Research Organizations (CRO’s) in India. Various pharmaceutical companies managed to do clinical trials and regulatory approval work on their own.
Clinical research offers varied career opportunities in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Opportunities are available in medical device companies, contract research organizations, hospitals, educational institutions, independent contractors and more.
Initially, it was only a handful of senior doctors who represented investigators participating in global multi-centric study. Now, any professional with a strong science or healthcare related background — such as nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, physicians and more, are the most sorted in the clinical research field.
Currently, skilled researchers can find a minimum of 8-10 different types of clinical research companies which provides career opportunities. These companies are basically involving different types of CR business like bio-availability management, site management, bio-equivalence studies, Phase II-IV trials Trial Monitoring, data management, laboratories, biotech, chemistry and biology and CR training.
If I were you, I would be asking- Why are professionals interested in a Career in Clinical Research? The answer is surprising and interesting.
Clinical research is an inspiring career for innovation, offering a recession-free market, with a huge demand and the supply is not met. The need for committed professionals in inculcating the value of integrity, self-discipline and dedication, creating a vital human resource pool, has created good Career Prospects. The growth is exponential, professionals can get knowledge on the understanding of Drugs, Diseases & Management and if you are a person who loves Research, then there is no turning back.
Clinical research field offers individuals who have a passion for leaving their footprints and wanting to see the influence change lives of people.
Interested Professionals should have the basic awareness about various aspects of the drug discovery and development process, understanding how the trial is conducted including the designing of the trial, importance of quality data and a deeper understanding on Adverse Events and different toxicology testing, an insight on regulatory and ethics like-GCP, GMP, GLP and general awareness about Pharmacy, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology – Disease, Diagnosis, Drugs, Information Technology.
Career opportunities in clinical research program India can be widely grouped into 3 main categories.
Opportunities in the Clinical Research wing- Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA), Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Clinical Team Leader, Project Manager, Manager Medical & Regulatory, Manager –Safety and Patents, Manager Quality Assurance, Medical Director, Director or Head (Clinical Operations), General Manager, CEO.
Opportunities in Clinical Data Management wing- Data Entry Operator, Data Validation Executive, Data Manager, QA Manager, Statistical Programmer, Statistician, Medical Writer, Head of Data Management
Opportunities in Pharmacovigilance wing- pharmacovigilance team lead, Pharmacovigilance Associate in Regulatory and Quality Department, pharmacovigilance physician, General Manager- Pharmacovigilance, Scientific Writer- pharmacovigilance.
Here are the top five career opportunities you can look out for.
Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)
CRC is a person who takes the responsibility of conducting the clinical trial as per good clinical principles. They are also called clinical study co-coordinators, research nurse. They are delegated the responsibilities from the principal investigator and it includes study subjects enrolment, making sure informed consent form is executed in his presence and basically subjects welfare is taken care of. CRC is also responsible to collect the data appropriately and make sure that the data integrity is maintained at all times.
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
Also known as the monitor or a trial monitor. He monitors the trial sites activities and ensures that all standard regulatory operations and ethical standards are being followed. He is responsible for developing and writing trial protocols, managing regulatory applications and approvals that need detailed research and marketing of new and existing drugs, setting up the trial sites, which ensures each of the trial sites has the required trial materials, including the trial drug often known as the investigational medicinal product.
Clinical Data Coordinator
CDC manages, analyses, implement and verify data clarification forms submitted through the trial system and effectively manages the workload determined by the portal. He implements the assigned project timelines and prioritization of tasks. He assists in resolving and sorting problems from the client study team, physicians and the personnel in the site. Responsible for conduct at the site and sponsor archival processes during decommissioning of the study, act as CDM resourceful person for internal interactions with the team and /or update of maintenance guides.
Clinical Data Entry Operator
Data entry operator is a person responsible for entering the data into the clinical data management system from the case report form. Once the data is entered then proper analysis of the data can be done. He solves problems, making sure the quality data is provided for analytical team.
Principal Investigator (PI)
The Principal investigator is the most responsible person in the trial site. He makes sure protocol is followed, reviews the initial and the ongoing trial activities. Manages and protects the rights and welfare of the subjects. Ensures the proper usage and storage of investigational agents.
Individuals who want to upskill and want to pursue a career in clinical research should consider the importance of training from the best. Clinical Research Training Program Online conducted by Avigna Clinical Research Institute will certify you for a Post graduate Diploma in clinical research (PGDCR). Training helps build quality and develop a growing mind-set in a professional. Quality of training and industry-based curriculum adds value to the learning process. Good training makes the professional equipped for the industry and practical trainings through clinical data management course online and pharmacovigilance course online will give them a leverage to be an asset in the industry. Hence it is important to learn from the best in the clinical research industry.
