Becoming Independent CRA

Independent CRA to be in Silver Spring, Maryland said: I am a Certified Clinical Research Associate looking to pick up contract work (or become independent). I have 7+ years of monitoring, and also have data management and project management experience. I briefly worked for one of the big CROs, but it was not a good fit.

I am looking to talk with someone about the best way to get contract work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

I have been a contract CCRA for 4 yrs and would be happy to answer any of your questions you may have when going to contract.

I have been contract CCRA for 4 years and would willing to help you get set up and answer any questions you may have.
Arlene

I deal with a company in Northern NJ who is looking to hire. If you are interested please forward your resume.
Thank you,
Lynne

Do you guys hire data Managers?

Dear Satya,

Could you let me know a little bit more about your company? I'm an independent CRA located in the NJ/NYC Metro area.

Kind Regards,

Lisa

Aditi in Piscataway, New Jersey said: Hi Sanghamitra,

I wanted to inquire about the CRA training you offer. Please can you provide me with details at adtshah@gmail.com

Thanks,
Aditi

Hi Aditi,, If you have already information regarding CRA training, can u share it with me.. I am also looking for CRA training,

Independent CRA to be in Silver Spring, Maryland said: I am a Certified Clinical Research Associate looking to pick up contract work (or become independent). I have 7+ years of monitoring, and also have data management and project management experience. I briefly worked for one of the big CROs, but it was not a good fit.

I am looking to talk with someone about the best way to get contract work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

Please visit: www.IndependentCRA.net and order the book "The 2009 North American Clinical Resource Blue Book". It is filled with nearly 400 resources: Recruiters, CROs, and websites.
Best to you!

I am a Clinical Research Associate with 3 years of experience in Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, and Virology trials. I am currently based in Cleveland, and interested in a non-CRO based position. Please help!

Hi, I have contract positions in Northern NJ for Clinical Trial Assoc and Clinical Project Managers. Thx Lynne

Lynwalsh7 in South Orange, New Jersey said: Hi, I have contract positions in Northern NJ for Clinical Trial Assoc and Clinical Project Managers. Thx Lynne

Hi Lynne,

Please post your e-mail address so I can send you my resume. I am currently based in Cleveland, but willing to travel to NJ as it is very close. Thanks, Lynn.

Hi, Thank you for your reply. Proemploy@yahoo.com looking forward to receivng your CV. Lynne

I am an experienced contract CRA with 10 plus years experience, willing to travel. I am based in Milwaukee with easy access to a major airport. I also have a home in Iowa and can monitor regionally from there. Thanks for considering me. Anne

I am interested in becoming a CRA. I have 8 years of pulmonary research coordinating (35 trials, a mix of Phase III and IV as well as NIH funded). I have a BA in Biology, and am a Certified Respiratory Therapist. I am in the New England area and near a major airport. Am not looking to move.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kindly help me to know about the present CRA/CRC Opening in Masssacuseetts

Jenna in Montreal, Quebec said: Hello, I'm a Quebec based CRA willing to go indenpendent. I have experience in the following therap. areas: CARDIOVASCULAR/HEMATOLOGY, ONCOLOGY, ENT, ENDOCRINOLOGY, NEUROLOGY, DERMATOLOGY, OPHTALMOLOGY
I have no travel restriction and I'm bilingual

Judging for these great comments, Do you have any advice for me?

Thanks a lot!

Hi

i have 2 year experienced as Clinical research Coordinator.Presently having H4 visa.Want to work in Clinical Research field in boston .if you have any opening please let me know asap

sheetalaggarwal25@yahoo.com

thanks

I have CRA positions in Northern NJ

Lynwalsh7@aol.com in Newark, New Jersey said: I have CRA positions in Northern NJ

Can i Have yr email so I cud send you my CV

Sure send your CV to Proemploy@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Lynne Peters

I am a CCRA with 4.5 years monitoring experience and am looking for contract work. I am based out of NC and willing to travel. Have oncology, hypertension, RLS and PD experience. If there are any possibilities please let me know. My emails is TiftTounsleyCRA@charter.net.

I often have positions if you would like to send your CV I will gladly keep you posted on positions. Please indicate salary requirements and if you are willing to travel / relocate.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters
Lynwalsh7@aol.com

Does anyone know of any CRA openings in Vancouver, BC? I am a CRA with a BA, BSc, CCRP with 5 years of monitoring experience in PD, BPH, OA and hypertension.
Thanks!

Hi all,

I am a Sr. CRA with over 5 years of experience across many therapeutic areas, but have an especially strong background in cardiovascular, endocrinology, and CNS. I recently resigned from a major CRO because of many reasons. Firstly, both my father and sister were hospitalized for chronic conditions, and I really needed to be closer to home for a while. I was told this was not possible. I routinely monitor upwards of 40 sites in a territory that is nowhere near regionalized, in addition to performing training/mentoring for our North American teams, as well as taking on team lead responsibilities. As you can imagine, this meant back-breaking travel, 7 day work weeks, and a very poor work/life balance.
I resigned my position without another one to take, but I do not regret taking this stance. Family comes first, always. Luckily, I was offered a local position with a cardiologist who performs research in his office. His previous staff had very little research training and he is taking giant leaps to turn the research office around. Might I add that his efforts are successful thus far? Anyhoo, he needed someone trained to come in and work as a QA manager, and offered me the position. While I'm appreciative of this opportunity, it seems that things at home are settling down some and I am anxious to get back to what I do best: monitoring. I would like to find a position with 50-60% travel expected, although I realize that there will be peak study periods where this will be increased and I am more than okay with this. If anyone knows anyone hiring Sr. CRAs in the central region, I would be greatly appreciative of any feedback. I hate to feel like I'm "job hopping", but I think my work history up until now will demonstrate my usual stability and dependability.

Thanks all and happy searching!!

Sanghamitra V Dalimbkar in Newark, New Jersey said: Hello,
My name is Sanghamitra and we do train people in CRA if possible may I forward their resume to you.

Please reply as soon as possible.

Hi I have been a CRC for 8 years, how can i become an entry level CRA?

Eric in San Mateo, California said: Hello,

We place independent CRAs in the pharma and biotech industry nationally. Please log onto www.focusmonitoring.com to submit your resume and we will get back to you quickly. We have contracts starting now and throughout the year, and our pay is very competitive.

Eric

Hi, I have just completed training on CRA.now looking for an internship.I am located silver spring, Maryland.please advise me where can I apply for this?

Satya in Moorestown, New Jersey said: Hi Saima,

Its difficult to get a entry level position as a CRA directly.You can take a CRA course and try to get a position as CRC (Clinical Research Coordinator).After having 2 yrs or so experience , you can enter as a CRA position.In the mean time you should start reading GCP,drug safety, clinical data etc.

Thanks,

satya

Thanks,

Hi Satya,
I am a MBA(BIOTECH) graduate from Amity University, Noida.. right now I am in NJ . As I am H4 visa holder I am looking for some course in CDM OR CRA.. so that I can get a job here related to my field.. do u think the online / certificate courses provided by Rutger university or American Scitech institute r really going to help?

Federica McDonald in Irvine, California said: I am interested in independent CRA work. Please email me your direct email address, I will attach my most recent CV for your review. I am located in Irvine, CA

Hi,

I aM located in irvine CA and interested in entry level jobs. I have recently finished course in CRA and also have a ph. D in Neuroceince.
Could u pl/ guide me?
Thanks

Hi,
I do not have a position avail at the moment but if you would like to forward your CV I can keep you posted on position as they arise.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters
Proemploy@yahoo.com

Hi All,
I would be very gratuful is someone can help me clarify the following:
I'm starting as an independent after 7 yrs. My question would be:
- How much liability insurance you should take? No one can answer me not even the insurances... some talk of 100 000 other of 10 millions!
If the contract stipulate that travel is not billable, is it normal?
- What are the common challenges once must face during their first contracts
- What would be an acceptable hourly rate range for a non-oncology trial?
Thank you Sooo much!

We have over 100 Independant CRAs members. You should join our site and post your question on the Contract CRSA group.

You can join by requesing a membership at www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=918147

Independent CRA to be in Silver Spring, Maryland said: I am a Certified Clinical Research Associate looking to pick up contract work (or become independent). I have 7+ years of monitoring, and also have data management and project management experience. I briefly worked for one of the big CROs, but it was not a good fit.

I am looking to talk with someone about the best way to get contract work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

I have 6 years experience in clinical research. I started as a Clinical Research Coordinator but assumed other positions throughout my career like clinical research manager,regulatory and QA associate and had recently worked in Global Management of clinical research as a CTS for one of the major pharma company until the conclusion of my contract.
Currently, I am working for a small clinical research management organization, coordinating almost a dozen protocols pertaining to BrCA, mRCC, NSCLC, Multiple Myeloma, Colorectal Cancer, ITP trials etc.
Does anybody knows of a Pharma, CRO hiring entry level CRAs?

malogeno,

i don't know of any company hiring entry-level CRAs.... now, in this economy it's rare to see a company hiring CRAs with less than 5 years expirience

Hi,
Please em resume to proemploy@gmail.com I expect positions to open in March. I company I recruit for is going through a merger. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters
Proemploy@gmail.com

lynwalsh7@aol.com in South Orange, New Jersey said: Hi,
Please em resume to proemploy@gmail.com I expect positions to open in March. I company I recruit for is going through a merger. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters
Proemploy@gmail.com

Hi Lynne,
Can you please clarify if you are referring to CRA positions and where they might be located?
Thank you,
Ronika89

Thanks Robert from Pennsylvania for the reply. I was told by some of my monitors that CROs and Pharma companies will have that mode of hiring entry level CRAs from time to time- just have to be patient I suppose.

Thanks again,
Malogeno

Satya in Moorestown, New Jersey said: Please email me your resume.We have several CRA open positions.
Satya@diverselynx.com

Hi Satya, I have 3-1/2 years clinical research exp., 3 years clinical exp, and 1-1/2 years academic teaching exp. in Public Health. Do you still have positions available as I see your last response was 11 months ago. I am currently based in Dubai. Do let me know, tx.

lynwalsh7@aol.com in South Orange, New Jersey said: Hi,
Please em resume to proemploy@gmail.com I expect positions to open in March. I company I recruit for is going through a merger. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters
Proemploy@gmail.com

Hi Lynn.

I have 3-1/2 years clinical research exp., 3 years clinical exp, and 1-1/2 years academic teaching exp. in Public Health. I am currently based in Dubai. Sending my CV to you. Tx

Hi,
Most of the positions I have had are 80% mid-west with some travel to Canada.
Kind regards,
Lynne Peters

Josh Coker in Little Elm, Texas said: I am currently seeking contract CRA's for various positions available in the US. I do come across available work for permanent CRA's as well. Feel free to email me your CV @ jcoker@fidelisscientific.com

Hi I am looking for an entry level CRA position. Can you kindly help me regarding this.

lynwalsh7@aol.com in South Orange, New Jersey said: Hi,
I do have some openings if you know of anyone who is looking I would appreciate if you would forward my contact info. Thank you Lynne Peters
Lynwalsh7@aol.com

Hi, I am looking for an entry level CRA position. So can you kindly help me starting up my career. I already got trained as a CRA.

Hi,
Do you have an office in the US? Also, what countries have you conducted clinical trails? Phase? Is most of your business full service, monitoring, data management?
Thanks,
Ellen

I currently am a reserach coordinator and have almost 3 years coordinator experience. I currently manage over 30 cancer trials. I am looking to transition into monitoring. I am looking for a company that will train for an entry level CRA. Is there any company that is willing to train for a CRA position. I live in Ohio and am willing to work in Ohio and the surrounding states. I am also willing to travel anywhere in the US to monitor sites.

Michelle,

Now is not a good time for monitors. Layoffs were HUGE last year and many CRAs with 5 years monitoring experience will be competing with you for that entry-level job. Your oncology experience is your biggest asset, but the economy isn't great for a transition right now.

I would try the CROs (Quintiles, Medpace, PPD) but beware of NONCOMPETE or getting locked into a contract. I also warn new CRAs there are a lot of training scams out there that 'promise' a job at the end after you shell out a few thousand dollars for worthless training.

I'd network with the monitors you work with now and rewrite your resume completely so it emphasizes your CRA skills instead of CRC skills. I'd also take SoCRA's CCRP test to show how well you know the regs. Apply in numbers, but don't get your hopes up in this economy. No experience just can't compete with 5 years expirience from all these monitors that are out of a job.

Independent CRA to be in Silver Spring, Maryland said: I am a Certified Clinical Research Associate looking to pick up contract work (or become independent). I have 7+ years of monitoring, and also have data management and project management experience. I briefly worked for one of the big CROs, but it was not a good fit.

I am looking to talk with someone about the best way to get contract work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

Try to avoid talking in a negative manner about your previous experiences "ie-but it was not a good fit"

Hi. I have 14 years of clinical research experience, approximately 11 as a monitor. I am looking to pick up some part-time/contract work fairly regionalized to my geographical area. Any suggestions on how to get the word out about my independent status and such?

Independent CRA to be in Silver Spring, Maryland said: I am a Certified Clinical Research Associate looking to pick up contract work (or become independent). I have 7+ years of monitoring, and also have data management and project management experience. I briefly worked for one of the big CROs, but it was not a good fit.

I am looking to talk with someone about the best way to get contract work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

I am Curtis Guilbeaux, CEO of CROWNE-PACIFICA. WE are a consulting firm. Now we have a potential opportunity to provide an extensive research paper for the US Government Postal service. If interested, please contact me immediately. This is a 2-3 month gig, with option for more. Thanks.

Robert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Michelle,

Now is not a good time for monitors. Layoffs were HUGE last year and many CRAs with 5 years monitoring experience will be competing with you for that entry-level job. Your oncology experience is your biggest asset, but the economy isn't great for a transition right now.

I would try the CROs (Quintiles, Medpace, PPD) but beware of NONCOMPETE or getting locked into a contract. I also warn new CRAs there are a lot of training scams out there that 'promise' a job at the end after you shell out a few thousand dollars for worthless training.

I'd network with the monitors you work with now and rewrite your resume completely so it emphasizes your CRA skills instead of CRC skills. I'd also take SoCRA's CCRP test to show how well you know the regs. Apply in numbers, but don't get your hopes up in this economy. No experience just can't compete with 5 years expirience from all these monitors that are out of a job.

Thank you for your advice. You gave me some great tips and I will re-write my resume. I am also scheduled to take the CCRP test in November.

I have found a program that is a MSCRA (Master of Science in Clinical Research Assocoate). It is a 2 year program at a college. Do you think that this will help me compete with other CRA's with experience?

Thank you for your advice. You gave me some great tips and I will re-write my resume. I am also scheduled to take the CCRP test in November.

I have found a program that is a MSCRA (Master of Science in Clinical Research Assocoate). It is a 2 year program at a college. Do you think that this will help me compete with other CRA's with experience?

Robert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Michelle,

Now is not a good time for monitors. Layoffs were HUGE last year and many CRAs with 5 years monitoring experience will be competing with you for that entry-level job. Your oncology experience is your biggest asset, but the economy isn't great for a transition right now.

I would try the CROs (Quintiles, Medpace, PPD) but beware of NONCOMPETE or getting locked into a contract. I also warn new CRAs there are a lot of training scams out there that 'promise' a job at the end after you shell out a few thousand dollars for worthless training.

I'd network with the monitors you work with now and rewrite your resume completely so it emphasizes your CRA skills instead of CRC skills. I'd also take SoCRA's CCRP test to show how well you know the regs. Apply in numbers, but don't get your hopes up in this economy. No experience just can't compete with 5 years expirience from all these monitors that are out of a job.

Eh... I am not sure about that Master's of CRA. Make sure to ask yourself...

1.) Have you verified the school's accreditation for this program? I don't even know if there even is a major accrediting agency for a CRA program. It's important- a degree that isn't given by a recognized institution is basically worthless. How many years has this degree been offered? What is the program's graduation rate? Can you talk to a current student?

2.) Also, don't forget that this program is going to take two years... What if a great opportunity comes along in site management or data management? Your schoolwork won't really apply to these areas... What if you decide you don't want to be a CRA? I got my Master's degree in an area that apply to clinical research but doesn't limit my options if I want to change industries later on.

3.) It's still not monitoring experience. The bottom line is employers really only 'need' a bachelor's degree and monitoring experience. The degree will help you be much more competitive against others that don't have monitoring experience, but won't do any good competing against those with experience.

Basically, what you want to make sure of is that the degree is from an accredited institution with a good industry reputation. It never hurts to have more training or a higher degree, but you have to be careful about which one you pick. Ask other CRAs, CRCs or recruiters if they've heard of the school before. Chances are if too many people in the industry haven't heard of the school before it's not legitimate. Remember that school enrollment consolers are often salespeople trying to get you into the school and they may not always be on your side. Keep your options open and be sure you want to make a 2 year commitment to your education.

I think the industry is going to be coming back with a year or so- be persistent and make those contacts!

It is true that experience is the major factor when hiring. But I really do feel that a MS is very helpful – that may be because I just finished my MS in Clinical Research Administration from GWU, but I thought this program was very good.

I know there are other programs out there as well, such as through Drexel, Duke, and MSU. I know for a fact that GWU is accredited, and this program is online, so when I transferred to a different office within my company there were not any issues.

There is a lot of information within this discussion board about master programs – I think tat if you are looking to move up after being a CRA than it is very worth-while.

Robert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Eh... I am not sure about that Master's of CRA. Make sure to ask yourself...

1.) Have you verified the school's accreditation for this program? I don't even know if there even is a major accrediting agency for a CRA program. It's important- a degree that isn't given by a recognized institution is basically worthless. How many years has this degree been offered? What is the program's graduation rate? Can you talk to a current student?

2.) Also, don't forget that this program is going to take two years... What if a great opportunity comes along in site management or data management? Your schoolwork won't really apply to these areas... What if you decide you don't want to be a CRA? I got my Master's degree in an area that apply to clinical research but doesn't limit my options if I want to change industries later on.

3.) It's still not monitoring experience. The bottom line is employers really only 'need' a bachelor's degree and monitoring experience. The degree will help you be much more competitive against others that don't have monitoring experience, but won't do any good competing against those with experience.

Basically, what you want to make sure of is that the degree is from an accredited institution with a good industry reputation. It never h

Dear CRA in Brooklyn,

What was your MS degree concentrated in? Did you focus on health care administration, sciences, etc?

What are the names for GWU and MSU? I would like to get my master's degree, but am not sure what would be the best masters degree to focus on. I dont want to limit myself so much that if I would change jobs that my degree would basically not be relevent.

Walden University is the College that offered the MSCRA program.

All of my monitor contacts really think that my study coordinator and regulatory work is superb and they feel that I would be very successful as a monitor, but their companies want experience. My monitors have not stayed very long on my trials. They keep moving and it has been a little difficult to form relationships where they see your work over an extended period of time and know how qualitfied I am. They are also so over worked that most of them don't have time to really do anything other than monitor. I am trying to figure out a way to get into monitoring and have applied to every CRO I can think of with no results.

I wouldnt mind managing trials for a CRO either, but they want 5-10 years previous clinical trials management and previous monitoring experience. I am going to keep trying and not give up.