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Clinical research assistant vs clinical coordinator

The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical coordinators 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 research assistant and a clinical coordinator. Additionally, a clinical coordinator has an average salary of $57,665, which is higher than the $39,837 average annual salary of a clinical research assistant.

The top three skills for a clinical research assistant include patients, informed consent and data collection. The most important skills for a clinical coordinator are patients, customer service, and CPR.

Clinical research assistant vs clinical coordinator overview

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Coordinator
Yearly salary$39,837$57,665
Hourly rate$19.15$27.72
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs97,38074,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical research assistant do?

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.

What does a clinical coordinator do?

A clinical coordinator is responsible for monitoring a healthcare facility's daily operations, ensuring the best quality services for the patients. Clinical coordinators perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as organizing patient files, communicating with other departments and healthcare organizations for validating patients' information and insurance documents, prepare medical reports, assist medical professionals in medical procedures, and observe sanitary and hygienic standards. A clinical coordinator must have excellent time-management skills to perform duties under minimal supervision.

Clinical research assistant vs clinical coordinator salary

Clinical research assistants and clinical coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Coordinator
Average salary$39,837$57,665
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $54,000Between $43,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTDover, DE
Highest paying stateConnecticutDelaware
Best paying companySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalChildren's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical coordinator education

There are a few differences between a clinical research assistant and a clinical coordinator in terms of educational background:

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research assistant vs clinical coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research assistants' and clinical coordinators' demographics:

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 8.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient caseload with emphasis in occupational rehabilitation
  • Maintain compliance with ICH, GCP and federal regulations as well as reporting adverse events to the FDA.
  • Perform medical assessment procedures including phlebotomy, laboratory processing, vital signs, and electrocardiogram.
  • Skil in CPR and patient distress.
  • Transport patients, and restive beds from ICU and IMCU units
  • Specialize training such as, CPI non-violent crisis intervention and CPR.
  • Show more

Clinical coordinator example 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.
  • Manage common side effects of chemotherapy and experimental therapies.
  • Manage the clinical reimbursement coordinators traveling schedule to ensure that facilities have adequate MDS coverage.
  • Show more

Clinical research assistant vs clinical coordinator skills

Common clinical research assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • IRB, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common clinical coordinator skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
  • Social Work, 3%

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