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Clinical project manager vs practice manager

The differences between clinical project managers and practice managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical project manager, becoming a practice manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a practice manager has an average salary of $107,374, which is higher than the $100,510 average annual salary of a clinical project manager.

The top three skills for a clinical project manager include manage cross, patients and clinical research. The most important skills for a practice manager are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Clinical project manager vs practice manager overview

Clinical Project ManagerPractice Manager
Yearly salary$100,510$107,374
Hourly rate$48.32$51.62
Growth rate6%28%
Number of jobs153,83738,196
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4447
Years of experience26

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.

What does a practice manager do?

A practice manager is responsible for supervising daily operations, especially on the side of the medical industry. Practice managers monitor staffing needs, train new employees, and evaluate the employees' productivity and performance. They also enforce strict guidelines and procedures, ensuring that the processes adhere to the legal standards and regulatory requirements. Practice managers also maintain budget goals, creating cost estimates and expense reports. A practice manager must have strong communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the medical industry practices.

Clinical project manager vs practice manager salary

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

Clinical Project ManagerPractice Manager
Average salary$100,510$107,374
Salary rangeBetween $74,000 And $136,000Between $65,000 And $175,000
Highest paying CitySouth San Francisco, CAProvidence, RI
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyIntuitive SurgicalDavis Wright Tremaine
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between clinical project manager and practice manager education

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

Clinical Project ManagerPractice Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorNursingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical project manager vs practice manager demographics

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

Clinical Project ManagerPractice Manager
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 32.5% Female, 67.5%Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%12%

Differences between clinical project manager and practice manager duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Practice manager example responsibilities.

  • Secure new engagements worldwide, and lead numerous ERP and CRM initiatives.
  • Manage a great team of 7 consultants that deliver outstanding ERP solutions.
  • Supervise and manage a staff of 12.5 FTE personnel and 4 FTE physicians.
  • Accomplish at applying knowledge of veterinary science and compassion for animals to ensure optimal care.
  • Manage all aspects of establishing, setting and implementing standards and work processes to ensure well running PMO.
  • Manage the selection process and implementation of the practice's EMR by reviewing and updating the system as needed.
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Clinical project manager vs practice manager skills

Common clinical project manager skills
  • Manage Cross, 12%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Clinical Research, 8%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Clinical Trials, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%
Common practice manager skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • PET, 5%
  • Practice Management, 4%
  • Payroll, 3%

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