Where do I go to gain clinical research experience?

I see time and time again, 2-5 years is good to have under your belt. I am wondering where to begin looking, as it seems pretty vague to me. Clinical research experience doing what exactly? Where are good places to look to gain this experience and what actual positions/internships should I be looking for?

I'd appreciate any clarification on this!

Mark

MTenner in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma said: I see time and time again, 2-5 years is good to have under your belt. I am wondering where to begin looking, as it seems pretty vague to me. Clinical research experience doing what exactly? Where are good places to look to gain this experience and what actual positions/internships should I be looking for?

I'd appreciate any clarification on this!

Mark

In another thread, a working CRA said he/she started out as a CTA (Clinical Trials Assistant) without any experience prior to getting the CRA job. I also found a listing of jobs that one could take to get the necessary experience from a CRO's website. As in, those were the jobs you could take when you have no experience. I forget which CRO, but it's main office is in Ohio. If I can find the website address again, I'll post it up here.

You just have to have site/monitoring experience.

I am looking for Clinical Trial Assistant, or Clinical Research Associate Assistant, ot CRC Assistant. They don't ask much. Most of them ask High School Diploma:)) But I guess it is a good place to start clinical career.

David in Los Angeles, California said: In another thread, a working CRA said he/she started out as a CTA (Clinical Trials Assistant) without any experience prior to getting the CRA job. I also found a listing of jobs that one could take to get the necessary experience from a CRO's website. As in, those were the jobs you could take when you have no experience. I forget which CRO, but it's main office is in Ohio. If I can find the website address again, I'll post it up here.

You just have to have site/monitoring experience.

I'd appreciate that!

hoi13 in San Francisco, California said: I'd appreciate that!

Hey, hoi13, sorry it took so long (15 days?). I found the company again. It's called Kendle. Here's the webpage on it:

www.kendle.com/career_opportunities/career_ops_ntti.php

David in Los Angeles, California said: Hey, hoi13, sorry it took so long (15 days?). I found the company again. It's called Kendle. Here's the webpage on it:

www.kendle.com/career_opportunities/career_ops_ntti.php

So you'd say that someone with no experience, applying for an assistant position would stand a pretty good shot?

Chris R in Phoenix, Arizona said: So you'd say that someone with no experience, applying for an assistant position would stand a pretty good shot?

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that much, Chris. I haven't tried applying anywhere yet, so I've no experience as far as that is concerned.

Hey all,

I had the same issue, I started as a Clinical Trial Associate in big pharma but I wanted to move to the CRA position to get out on site and get that experience. Even having the expierience of big pharma it took a lot to get in to the CRA position.
I would definately say the best place to start is as a Clinical Research Assistant. I know that some of the larger CROs (PPD, ICON) have the CR assistant position and typically move the CR Assistants to CRAs within about 6-12 months.
Good luck

What if you have a BS in Biology or something, does that help at all? Or do you most likely have to go through the CTA route? Its kind of hard when everyone is asking for 1-5 years experience.

Clarence,

even CTA positions require Bachelor's degrees in Biology or Nursing. It's a starting point that many CRO's use as a training position to prep you into becoming a CRA. It's very rare to get a CRA position right off the bat with just a degree and no experience at all.

I'm a scientist and have been working in big pharma for ~3 years now with a B.S in biochem. I handle alot of experimental data and documents. Think I can break into a CRA I position?

Marco,

Any CRA position requires monitoring experience. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you can just start right off the bat, even in a CRA I position, because you do not have monitoring experience.

it just like a vigious circle

You are absolutely correct it is very hard to start without any experience. Check out American Scitech Research Institute. They have a training program and a paid internship which will provide you with the experience you need to get the job. Visit craschool.com for more info

Integrated Resources Inc has a request from a client who are looking for entry level CRAs. We are looking for graduates with specific educational backgrounds and will provide initial CRA introductions for you to be able to perform your duties.

Please send me your resume with a contact number and I will give you a call if you match our criteria.

vidhu@iriclinicalstaff.com

How come I can not find a website for Integrated Resources?

I have over 20 years of clinical laboratory experience(ASCP) and recently completed CRA training program and certified by KRIGER Research Inc. I have M.S. degree in Biology and Medical Laboratory Science. However, I have real hard time find an employer for entry level CRA position. Good lock for everybody.