Post job

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research coordinator

The differences between clinical research assistants and clinical research 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 research coordinator. Additionally, a clinical research coordinator has an average salary of $52,459, 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 coordinator are patients, informed consent, and IRB.

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research coordinator overview

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Coordinator
Yearly salary$39,837$52,459
Hourly rate$19.15$25.22
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs97,380102,960
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 coordinator do?

A clinical research coordinator is a healthcare professional responsible for administering clinical trials of drugs or medications. Clinical research coordinators work under the supervision of clinical research managers to collect data and help inform trial participants about the study's objectives. They must ensure that these trials have met all regulations, including drug safety, government regulations, and the organization's code of ethics. Clinical research coordinators must obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing and have at least two years of healthcare experience.

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research coordinator salary

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Coordinator
Average salary$39,837$52,459
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $54,000Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CTRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companySt. Jude Children's Research HospitalGenentech
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical research coordinator education

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborDuke University

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Research AssistantClinical Research Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 20.0% Female, 80.0%
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, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 10.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research assistant and clinical research 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 research coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Assess study participants for adverse reactions or complications and manage side effects of chemotherapy and other study relate drugs.
  • Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
  • Direct acquisition and analysis of functional MRI research data following GCP and FDA regulations
  • Prepare and maintain IRB and regulatory documentation for various research projects and consent patients for clinical research.
  • Facilitate constant communication between principal investigators, oncology nurses, and patients to address concerns and maximize eligibility and enrollment.
  • Schedule patient for study procedures; initiate/coordinate drug orders, laboratory procedures and treatments for patients base on standing protocol orders.
  • Show more

Clinical research assistant vs clinical research 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 research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 10%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Research Projects, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%

Browse executive management jobs