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Clinical research assistant vs clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical research associates 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 research associate. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, 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 research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$39,837$62,966
Hourly rate$19.15$30.27
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs97,38094,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 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 research assistant vs clinical research associate salary

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Average salary$39,837$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $54,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMeta
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical research associate education

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research associate demographics

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
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, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical research associate 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 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 research assistant vs clinical research associate skills

Common clinical research assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • Data Collection, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • IRB, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
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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