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The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical assistants 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 research assistant, becoming a clinical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clinical research assistant has an average salary of $39,837, which is higher than the $30,215 average annual salary of a clinical assistant.
The top three skills for a clinical research assistant include patients, informed consent and data collection. The most important skills for a clinical assistant are patients, customer service, and PET.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $39,837 | $30,215 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $14.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 97,380 | 101,926 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Clinical research assistants are responsible for assisting with scientific studies and monitoring clinical trials. Other duties and responsibilities include ensuring compliance with clinical trial procedures and protocols, finding research subjects, and collecting and analyzing data. In addition, they are responsible for overseeing clinical site activities and preparing documentation, presentation, and correspondence on findings. They are also expected to prepare informed consent for clinical trials and conduct audits on research trials. The skills and qualifications required for this role include a bachelor's degree in psychology, science or related field, previous work experience, and excellent communication skills.
A clinical assistant is responsible for assisting medical professionals with medical procedures and ensure a high level of patient care. Clinical assistants perform minor clinic procedures such as taking patients' temperature, sterilizing medical equipment, proper dumping of disposable items, responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, processing payments, arranging appointment schedules, and maintaining an organized record of patients' information, such as their medical history and health insurance records. A clinical assistant must strictly adhere to sanitary and hygienic procedures at all times to promote a safe and clean environment for the patients.
Clinical research assistants and clinical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $39,837 | $30,215 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $13,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Farmington, CT | Brockton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a clinical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Biology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | - |
Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and clinical assistants' demographics:
| Clinical Research Assistant | Clinical Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.4% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 12.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |