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Clinical associate vs clinical project manager

The differences between clinical associates and clinical project managers 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 project manager. Additionally, a clinical project manager has an average salary of $100,510, which is higher than the $91,027 average annual salary of a clinical associate.

The top three skills for a clinical associate include patients, rehabilitation and home health. The most important skills for a clinical project manager are manage cross, patients, and clinical research.

Clinical associate vs clinical project manager overview

Clinical AssociateClinical Project Manager
Yearly salary$91,027$100,510
Hourly rate$43.76$48.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs56,977153,837
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 project manager do?

A clinical project manager specializes in developing and organizing clinical trials. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and coordinating with all necessary personnel and experts, scheduling meetings, and preparing necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Moreover, a clinical project manager must devise strategies and train all staff, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, evaluate staff and verify documentation, and assist in all activities to ensure that every process aligns with the project's agenda. Should there be any issues or concerns, a clinical project manager must conduct corrective measures right away.

Clinical associate vs clinical project manager salary

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

Clinical AssociateClinical Project Manager
Average salary$91,027$100,510
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $208,000Between $74,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CityBaltimore, MDSouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of Iowa Center for AdvancementIntuitive Surgical
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between clinical associate and clinical project manager education

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

Clinical AssociateClinical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical associate vs clinical project manager demographics

Here are the differences between clinical associates' and clinical project managers' demographics:

Clinical AssociateClinical Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 32.5% Female, 67.5%
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, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical associate and clinical project manager 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
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Clinical project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop, manage, motivate and ensure professional development of project staff (13 CRAs).
  • Manage domestic and international oncology clinical study sites.
  • Manage multiple pharmaceutical studies ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines.
  • Manage the operational aspects and execution of clinical studies focusing on oncology.
  • Supervise rotating team of CRA's contract with the CRO, educating on therapeutic area, and ensuring ICH GCP compliance.
  • Ensure GCP / ICH regulatory compliance on studies, preventing study deviations and provide swift resolutions to possible violations.
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Clinical associate vs clinical project manager skills

Common clinical associate skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common clinical project manager skills
  • Manage Cross, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Clinical Research, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Clinical Trials, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%

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