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Clinical laboratory manager vs clinical research associate

The differences between clinical laboratory managers and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a clinical laboratory manager, becoming a clinical research associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a clinical laboratory manager has an average salary of $79,359, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a clinical laboratory manager include CLIA, patients and test results. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Clinical laboratory manager vs clinical research associate overview

Clinical Laboratory ManagerClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$79,359$62,966
Hourly rate$38.15$30.27
Growth rate28%6%
Number of jobs96,32594,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4744
Years of experience62

What does a clinical laboratory manager do?

A clinical laboratory manager supervises the work of laboratory technicians and scientists. Clinical laboratory managers develop safety policies of laboratories in line with the international accreditation standards. They oversee administrative and budgetary responsibilities. It is their responsibility to purchase laboratory supplies or prepare ordering lists. They ensure that the employees follow the standards and regulations set by the industry. The managers need to develop include knowledge in solving technical problems, time management, and maintain technical equipment.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Clinical laboratory manager vs clinical research associate salary

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

Clinical Laboratory ManagerClinical Research Associate
Average salary$79,359$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $114,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAgilent TechnologiesMeta
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between clinical laboratory manager and clinical research associate education

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

Clinical Laboratory ManagerClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical laboratory manager vs clinical research associate demographics

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

Clinical Laboratory ManagerClinical Research Associate
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 42.5% Female, 57.5%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.8% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between clinical laboratory manager and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Clinical laboratory manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead and guide in developing quality improvement programs to continue delivering high quality services to physician and patients.
  • Set up forensic DNA laboratory, train laboratory technicians in advance molecular techniques, and manage day-to-day activities of forensic DNA laboratory
  • Maintain LIS software updates for CPT procedure codes and ICD-9 coding.
  • Integrate an LIS system into the laboratory environment.
  • Facilitate testing of clinical trial samples in the CLIA lab for test waiting FDA clearance.
  • Set up auto-calculations for calculate results) and a patient means program as an additional QC.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show more

Clinical laboratory manager vs clinical research associate skills

Common clinical laboratory manager skills
  • CLIA, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Test Results, 8%
  • Hematology, 7%
  • Microbiology, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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