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Clinical associate vs clinical coordinator

The differences between clinical associates and clinical coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical associate and a clinical coordinator. Additionally, a clinical associate has an average salary of $91,027, which is higher than the $57,665 average annual salary of a clinical coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical associate include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a clinical coordinator are patients, customer service, and CPR.

Clinical associate vs clinical coordinator overview

Clinical AssociateClinical Coordinator
Yearly salary$91,027$57,665
Hourly rate$43.76$27.72
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs56,97774,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical associate do?

A clinical associate is responsible for supporting the operations of a medical facility by performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to provide high-quality care services for the patients and assisting health care professionals in performing medical procedures. Clinical associates monitor the conditions of the patients, administer medication, collect laboratory samples, and conduct initial medical assessments such as checking temperature and vital signs. A clinical associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on addressing different patients' needs and reporting the patients' progress to the physicians.

What does a clinical coordinator do?

A clinical coordinator is responsible for monitoring a healthcare facility's daily operations, ensuring the best quality services for the patients. Clinical coordinators perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as organizing patient files, communicating with other departments and healthcare organizations for validating patients' information and insurance documents, prepare medical reports, assist medical professionals in medical procedures, and observe sanitary and hygienic standards. A clinical coordinator must have excellent time-management skills to perform duties under minimal supervision.

Clinical associate vs clinical coordinator salary

Clinical associates and clinical coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical AssociateClinical Coordinator
Average salary$91,027$57,665
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $208,000Between $43,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityBaltimore, MDDover, DE
Highest paying stateConnecticutDelaware
Best paying companyUniversity of Iowa Center for AdvancementChildren's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between clinical associate and clinical coordinator education

There are a few differences between a clinical associate and a clinical coordinator in terms of educational background:

Clinical AssociateClinical Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical associate vs clinical coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical associates' and clinical coordinators' demographics:

Clinical AssociateClinical Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 8.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical associate and clinical coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical associate example responsibilities.

  • Perform EKG's, placement of cardiac leads and telemetry unit (critical care only).
  • Manage patient caseload with emphasis in occupational rehabilitation
  • Assist nurses and doctors with procedures, EKG monitoring, clinical duties, clerical duties.
  • Assist with project plan management, FDA submission paperwork, and tracking of contingency plans / appropriate triggers.
  • Experience with communication with professional staff regarding pertinent observations concerning conditions of patients.
  • Participate in disease diagnosis and treatment in the department of internal medicine and pediatrics
  • Show more

Clinical coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage chronic illnesses such as hypertension, coronary disease and diabetes.
  • Create and manage case report forms and transmit data through EDC to sponsor.
  • Manage patient telemetries systems to include EKG's, vitals, INR management and sleep monitoring systems.
  • Manage the CRA team and serve as main point of contact for study logistics and relate questions including subject eligibility questions.
  • Manage common side effects of chemotherapy and experimental therapies.
  • Manage the clinical reimbursement coordinators traveling schedule to ensure that facilities have adequate MDS coverage.
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Clinical associate vs clinical coordinator skills

Common clinical associate skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common clinical coordinator skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
  • Social Work, 3%

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