Best way to break into a clinical position

I have taken two different online "CRA" courses and have 10 years of laboratory experience but can not seem to get a foot in the door to work in a clinical capacity. Anything from a recruiter, to coordinator, to ideally a cra would be ideal. Anyone know of other ways to get into being a CRA, such as other training/education areas or a company that is more likely to hire for entry level type positions?

a bachelor's degree in science or a nursing degree (RN, no less) is an absolute must. you are wasting your time and money without this degree.

i would invest in basic nursing skills and go into being a coordinator at a research site or a doctor's office OR if you are better with numbers or paperwork, i would apply for data management positions at a CRO. you cannot jump all the rungs on the ladder and go straight to being a CRA. every CRA job posting i've ever seen requires at least 1 or 2 years experience in clinical research.

i wouldn't invest in any more online CRA courses, you should get an entry-level job in research first and then use their tuition reimbursement program to pay the cost of training or certification.

Thanks for the comments but if you would read my post I have 10 years of research experience and two bachelors degrees. I also am not looking to jump into a CRA position, and I have applied to entry level coordinator, data management and what not. Was hoping someone could give in site into programs/companies that are more willing to help break into the field.

uh, i did read your post and it doesn'tt say anything about two bachelor's degrees or any experience in clinical research. research in the laboratory is NOTHING like clinical research. you would be entering a completely new and different field and that requires starting at the bottom.

-clinical research is done on real, living, breathing human beings with multiple disease processes occurring all at once. lab experience may give you knowledge of diagnostic criteria or the physiologic effects of disease, but the symptomology, face-to-face patient care and treatment options typically are not a focus of someone who works in the lab.

-to be a CRA you should have comprehensive knowledge of 21 CFR 50, 56, 312, 314, 812, 814, etc. occasionally, some lab workers will have knowledge of 21 CFR 58, but not all will. subject safety is a main focus of most trials and you won't get that working with cells or chemicals in the lab.

-the data collection processes, entry and handling are completely different. lab trials are not usually done at 100 different locations all over the country (or continent).

-the nature of the job is very different as well. most CRA's are out-of-state 4 days a week, every week. my company will often look for entry-levels that have previous business travel experience because the travel can be stressful for some

right now, you do have all the qualifications to work as a CRC or an in-house assistant to a CRA except for NURSING skills (very important- many companies specifically request) but you cannot expect every company to be hiring in this economy. there are thousands of CRA's that are laid off and looking for work and are snapping up those entry-level positions to stay afloat. now is not the time to change industries when so many experienced workers are out of a job and compete with you for every application you submit

If anyone has any useful comments that answer my questions about possible companies/programs that are out there please let me know. I already know the background of clinical research, the regs and what not. Looking more into companies and programs rather than a definition of what clinical research is...already know this. Thanks.

2BaCRA in Englewood, Colorado said: I have taken two different online "CRA" courses and have 10 years of laboratory experience but can not seem to get a foot in the door to work in a clinical capacity. Anything from a recruiter, to coordinator, to ideally a cra would be ideal. Anyone know of other ways to get into being a CRA, such as other training/education areas or a company that is more likely to hire for entry level type positions?

try finding a coordinator position at your local medical university. these tend to be willing to give inexperienced coordinators a try since they also tend to pay the lowest.

Look for a clinical trial administrator position for 6 months. Try universities. The pay is rubbish but its a foot in the door

Robert from Pittsburgh, PA:

Thank you for the valuable insight! I live in Orlando, FL but clinical research doesnt seem popular here. I am single with no kids,love to travel, BS Psychology, 26 yrs old and I will be pursuing a Masters degree (possibly in Public Health?).... If I was to relocate to have more job options in the clinical research field, what cities would you recommend moving to? I want to begin buidling my way up from the bottom so what do you recommmend?

Thank you in advance!
Alecia

There are 2 ways to get a chance:

1. Nursing/Patient Care Route- Florida is loaded up with clinical research sites where you can be a CRC or 'study coordinator.' I don't think that you'd have to move too far in you can work with patients every day. I would google something like 'clinical trials orlando' or go to clinical trials.gov and see the locations where there are current trials. i would send your resume out to all the locations and write a good cover letter about why you want to be a study coordinator.

2. Data Management/CRA assistant- The 'hot beds' for these in-house workers are in New Jersey, Phili, and some places on the west coast. There is also 1 company that hires entry level people in Cinci. Since these are inhouse positions, you'll likely have to move out of Florida. You'll work with data, resolve queries and help the CRAs.

Robert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: There are 2 ways to get a chance:

1. Nursing/Patient Care Route- Florida is loaded up with clinical research sites where you can be a CRC or 'study coordinator.' I don't think that you'd have to move too far in you can work with patients every day. I would google something like 'clinical trials orlando' or go to clinical trials.gov and see the locations where there are current trials. i would send your resume out to all the locations and write a good cover letter about why you want to be a study coordinator.

2. Data Management/CRA assistant- The 'hot beds' for these in-house workers are in New Jersey, Phili, and some places on the west coast. There is also 1 company that hires entry level people in Cinci. Since these are inhouse positions, you'll likely have to move out of Florida. You'll work with data, resolve queries and help the CRAs.

OMG! Thank you soooo much for your tips! I'm on it!..... I'll post an update later:-)

Hi,

I am looking for entry level jobs in California, can someone pl. suggest me. I have a Ph. D in Neuroscience and done a course in CRA.
Any recruiters if u guys know. Any tip?