Clinical Research Associate | CRA Training
Category:
Clinical Research
 
Duration:
8 Weeks / 54 Days
 
 

Clinical Research Associate

Introduction – Clinical Research Associate

Qtech-Sol specializes in Clinical Science Training, offering a comprehensive program geared towards individuals aspiring to work as Clinical Research Associates (CRAs). Our course is meticulously structured to provide a strong foundation and practical skills necessary for these job roles.

The program places a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of CRAs in various aspects of clinical research, including protocol design, site initiation, trial conduct, ongoing monitoring, and effective management of clinical trial data capture and audits. Our curriculum is strategically crafted to provide students with a competitive advantage in securing employment opportunities as CRAs within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, clinical research organizations (CROs), and research clinic sectors.

Course Name :  Clinical Research Associate
(Role based Lessons – Case Scenarios, Job Tasks with Solutions)
Course Code :  CRAT
Course Material : This course contains and delivers 32 Lessons.
Every lesson encompasses diverse delivery methods, including
  1. Narrated Presentations: Engaging presentations accompanied by voiceovers to enhance comprehension.
  2. Course Reading Material: Comprehensive chapters designed to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the subject matter.
  3. Practice Quizzes: A set of 15 quizzes to reinforce learning and assess your progress.
  4. Assessment Tests: Ten different test sets to evaluate your grasp of the material.
  5. Short Questions: Succinct questions to encourage critical thinking and quick recall.
  6. Role-Based Tasks: Practical exercises tailored to specific roles, accompanied by detailed solutions for comprehensive learning.
Delivery Type

SIP – Self-Paced Online with Support

Course Duration

CRAT-SIP Delivery – 8 Weeks / 54 Days (Self-Paced)

Introduction

A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) plays a pivotal role in the management of clinical trials and studies associated with pharmaceutical and biotechnological products, medications, and medical procedures. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including:

  1. Participant Recruitment: Identifying and enrolling suitable study participants.
  2. Data Collection: Gathering and recording patient data in a meticulous manner.
  3. Study Documentation: Crafting and maintaining essential study documents.
  4. Quality Assurance Audits: Conducting thorough assessments to ensure adherence to study protocols and quality standards
  5. Report Compilation:Compiling and finalizing reports derived from extensive, long-term clinical trials.

In addition to these core functions, CRAs serve as a vital link between the study’s sponsor, often a pharmaceutical company or contract research organization (CRO), and the clinical sites where the research is conducted. This intermediary role is crucial in maintaining the transparency and integrity of clinical trial results, ensuring that they remain free from any undue influence or bias associated with the sponsor’s interests.

To excel in this role, a successful CRA must possess exceptional attention to detail, a high level of education, and the ability to communicate effectively with both sponsor representatives and clinical personnel. Their dedication to upholding the highest standards of research ethics and protocol adherence is paramount to the successful execution of clinical trials.

Course Enrollment process

Qtech-Sol offers a flexible approach to learning through our self-paced online courses. Students have the freedom to commence their studies at their convenience, following a straightforward process.

  1. Member Registration: Begin by registering as a member of our platform
  2. Course Selection: Explore and choose the course that best suits your needs and goals.
  3. Enrollment and Tuition: Complete the enrollment process and make the necessary tuition payment.
  4. Access Learning Materials: Access course materials and resources through our Learning Management System (LMS).
  5. Support and Assistance:Receive support and assistance via email or schedule Google Meet sessions through the LMS.
  6. Course Task Submissions:Submit course-related tasks and assignments as per the provided schedule.
  7. Final Examination:Upon finishing the course, take the final examination to demonstrate your understanding.
  8. Course Completion:Upon successful completion, receive a course completion certificate and a transcript.
  9. Post-Training Support:Take advantage of our post-training support for assistance with resume building, narrative development, and mock interviews.

This step-by-step process ensures a smooth and flexible learning experience, allowing you to acquire valuable skills and knowledge at your own pace.

Building Relevant Experience

Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) are pivotal in the conduct of clinical trials, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry. Their core tasks and duties ensure that clinical trials are conducted, recorded, and reported per the protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and the applicable regulatory requirement. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the core tasks and duties performed by CRAs.

  1. Site Selection and Evaluation: CRAs are involved in the initial selection and evaluation of potential sites for clinical trials. They assess the site’s capabilities, the investigator’s qualifications, the staff’s expertise, and the site’s past performance to determine if it meets the study’s requirements.
  2. Site Initiation and Training: Once a site is selected, CRAs conduct initiation visits to train site staff on the study protocol, procedures, GCP, and specific regulatory requirements. They ensure that the site is fully prepared to begin enrolling patients and conducting the trial.
  3. Subject Recruitment and Informed Consent: CRAs monitor the recruitment process to ensure that it aligns with the protocol and ethical guidelines. They also ensure that informed consent is obtained from all participants in a manner that is compliant with regulatory and ethical standards.
  4. Monitoring Visits: One of the primary responsibilities of CRAs is to conduct regular monitoring visits to clinical trial sites. During these visits, they review and verify the accuracy and completeness of the patient data recorded in case report forms (CRFs) against source documents, ensure the trial is conducted according to the protocol and GCP, and verify that the rights and well-being of participants are protected.
  5. Safety Monitoring: CRAs monitor and report any adverse events or side effects experienced by participants to ensure the safety of the participants and the validity of the trial data.
  6. Data Quality and Integrity: They ensure the integrity and quality of the clinical trial data through regular monitoring, verification, and validation. CRAs address any data discrepancies and ensure that all data corrections are made according to the protocol and SOPs.
  7. Regulatory Compliance: CRAs ensure that all aspects of the trial are compliant with the regulatory requirements, including the submission of necessary documents to regulatory authorities and ensuring that the trial adheres to local regulations and guidelines.
  8. Communication and Coordination: They serve as the main communication link between the clinical trial site and the sponsor, addressing any issues that arise during the trial, and ensuring that there is a continuous exchange of information.
  9. Report Writing: CRAs are responsible for writing detailed reports following monitoring visits, highlighting their findings and actions taken during the visit.
  10. Problem-solving: They are often required to address and resolve any issues that arise during the trial, which may involve protocol deviations, non-compliance, or other challenges impacting the trial’s conduct or data quality.

Upon successful completion of our program, individuals can explore various job titles, including but not limited to:

  1. Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
  2. Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)
  3. Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA)
  4. Research Associate (RA)
  5. Clinical Trial Management System Assistant (CTMS)
  6. Trial Master File Associate (TMF)

This comprehensive training equips aspiring professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic field of clinical research.

Educational Requirements:

Preferred Qualifications: A candidate with an associate or bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related health field is highly recommended for admission into this course. Some of the eligible majors for enrollment include Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Healthcare Administration.

Support After Training:

Your resume is often the first impression you make on recruiters and potential employers. In today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to ensure that your resume meets industry standards and effectively represents your qualifications. That’s where our Post-Training Assistance (PTA) program comes in.

Our PTA program offers valuable assistance in resume building, interview preparation, and mock interviews. It’s not just about creating a strong resume; it’s also about understanding the current job market in your area, identifying available positions, gauging salary ranges, and ensuring that your resume aligns with your career goals. During the PTA program, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with our course specialists, taking small but meaningful steps toward your professional success. We’ll work together as a team to help you achieve your career objectives.

   Key Learning Outcomes and Benefits for Students:

  1. Enhancing the knowledge and skills required for your field.
  2. Improving your resume to increase your chances of landing promising job opportunities.
  3. High-value learning at an affordable cost.
  4. Flexibility to learn from anywhere, at your own pace.
  5. Practical tasks aligned with real-world industry practices and job roles.
  6. Application of concepts in real-time scenarios, including policies, governance, and industry tools.
  7. Engaging in role-based tasks commonly practiced in the industry.
  8. Preparation with mock interviews and interview narratives for effective client discussions.
  9. Readiness to work with minimal support, boosting your confidence in your chosen field.
Professional Organizations and Associations:

Consider joining professional organizations and associations related to your field. These groups offer valuable networking opportunities, resources, and insights from fellow professionals. They can help you stay updated on industry trends and discover new career prospects.

Stay Informed:

Explore global clinical resource information to stay informed about the latest news and updates in areas like clinical trials, regulatory matters, clinical data management (CDM), and pharmacovigilance.

Overview of the Curriculum

Our program has been meticulously crafted by industry experts to provide students and young professionals with the essential knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers in the field. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities associated with Clinical Research Associates (CRAs). The curriculum encompasses both theoretical and practical aspects of these roles, equipping students with the necessary expertise and exposure to meet industry standards.

Clinical Research Associate Curriculum
1. In House CRA Responsibilities

2. Drug Discovery And Research Process

3. Pre-Clinical Research

4. Introduction To Clinical Trial

5. Role Of Clinical Research Associate

6. Phase-I Clinical Trials

7. Phase-II Clinical Trials

8. Phase-III Clinical Trials

9. Phase-IV Clinical Trials

10. FDA Regulations

11. Good Clinical Practices and ICH Guidelines

12. Institutional Review Board (IRB)

13. SOP Development

14. A 6 Month Process for planning Multinational Clinical Trials

15. Communication with Cross-Functional Team

16. Overview of Protocol

17. Protocol Design and Development

18. Subject Recruitment Process and Informed Consent

19. Informed Consent Preparation

20. CRF Design and Development Monitoring Perspective

21. CRF Design and Data Capture

22. Selection of Investigation Site

23. Selection and Vendor Management

24. Selection of Investigator

25. Roles and Responsibilities of Investigator

26. Investigator Meetings and Timelines

27. Clinical Trial Budget

28. Study Initiation

29. Source Documentation, Retention and Compliance

30. Introduction to Adverse Event Reporting and Classification

31. Trial Master File (TMF)

32. Preparing for Internal Audit

Getting in Touch:

For more information, please call us at +1 732.770.4100 / +1 732.207.4564 (WhatsApp) or email qpdc@qtech-solutions.com. Our course specialists will reach out to you promptly to assist you in taking the next steps toward your career goals.