Definition of a Clinical Research Coordinator

Medical research studies sometimes use human subjects. After a study has received government approval, a clinical research study coordinator (CRSC) or clinical research coordinator (CRC) organizes and coordinates the study.

Job Description

• Responsibilities of a CRSC or CRC include creating documents for research studies, enrolling patients and following them through the course of studies, and managing the collection of the data obtained.

Education

• Some colleges offer Associates degrees in CRSC programs. Students are taught to work with participants and their families, physicians, researchers and medical staff. Curriculum includes how to collect research data in clinical studies. Participants learn to recruit, screen and enroll study participants. The programs teach students to develop study protocols and administer medications to participants.

Need

• Research studies are needed each time a new medicine or protocol is developed in the health care industry. CRSCs and CRCs are used in these studies.

Careers

• Trained and experienced CRSCs can work as clinical research coordinators, nurse study coordinators, protocol development coordinators and data abstractors.

Salary

• As of 2009 the entry level salary for a CRSC is approximately $37,000. Those with more experience earn up to $68,000. These salaries depend on employer and location. The median salary is $54,186.