How do I become a good clinical coordinator?

You become a good clinical coordinator by securing your bachelor's degree in nursing or another related medical field, having some clinical experience, and cultivating superb communication skills.

How long does it take to become a clinical research coordinator?

It typically takes four to six years to become a clinical research coordinator. Clinical research coordinators are expected to gain a bachelor's degree in their designated field, which takes approximately four years. They are also expected to have some clinical experience from volunteer work, an internship, or a part-time job.

Is a clinical coordinator a nurse manager?

Yes, a clinical coordinator is a nurse manager. Clinical coordinators have different titles depending on the company; however, their responsibilities seem to stay the same regardless of that title. Most clinical coordinators oversee staff, provide patient care, and manage clerical and financial duties.

What degree do you need to be a coordinator?

You do not need a degree to be a coordinator. A person can begin working as a junior project coordinator with just a high school diploma or GED. The industry, however, tends to favor applicants with a four-year degree.

How To Become A Clinical Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a clinical coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

A clinical coordinator manages the logistics and operations of clinical trials and research studies. They work with physicians, nurses, and health professionals to provide patients with high-quality care and ensure proper research protocols. Clinical coordinators recruit patients, obtain informed consent, administer treatments or interventions, collect data, and maintain records. They also coordinate with study sponsors, regulatory agencies, and ethics committees. Additionally, clinical coordinators may train and supervise study staff and provide support to patients.

ScoreClinical CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

4.5

Avg. Salary $57,665

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 8.28%

Black or African American 2.58%

Hispanic or Latino 15.22%

Unknown 7.51%

White 65.89%

Gender

female 80.78%

male 19.22%

Age - 43.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43.5

Stress level

5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a clinical coordinator?

Pros

Potential for career advancement and growth
Competitive salary and benefits package
Ability to work with cutting-edge medical technology and equipment
Flexibility in scheduling and work location
High job satisfaction due to making a positive difference in people's lives

Cons

Long hours and irregular schedules may be required, including nights and weekends
Exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials
Potential for burnout due to workload and emotional demands of the job
Risk of experiencing ethical dilemmas or conflicts with medical staff or patients
Possibility of experiencing compassion fatigue or emotional exhaustion.

Key steps to become a clinical coordinator

Explore clinical coordinator education requirements

Most common clinical coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

46.4 %

Associate

21.6 %

Master's

19.1 %

Start to develop specific clinical coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	28.58%
Customer Service	5.88%
CPR	4.72%
Rehabilitation	3.37%
Vital Signs	2.94%

Complete relevant clinical coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical coordinator resumes.

Gain additional clinical coordinator certifications

Clinical coordinator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinical coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinical coordinators include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research clinical coordinator duties and 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.

Prepare your clinical coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical coordinator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical coordinator resume templates

Build a professional clinical coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical coordinator resume.