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Clinical research associate vs coordinator

The differences between clinical research associates and coordinators 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 associate, becoming a coordinator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $41,599 average annual salary of a coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical research associate include patients, informed consent and CRA. The most important skills for a coordinator are customer service, patients, and excellent organizational.

Clinical research associate vs coordinator overview

Clinical Research AssociateCoordinator
Yearly salary$62,966$41,599
Hourly rate$30.27$20.00
Growth rate6%12%
Number of jobs94,336151,508
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4443
Years of experience212

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.

What does a coordinator do?

Coordinators are responsible for liaising between the department they are assigned to and any other external party. They oversee projects or agreements. They are in charge of following through negotiations between the two parties regarding work. They see through the conduct of such contracts by ensuring that all terms are amenable to both parties. They maintain records and other necessary data and paperwork. They also ensure that office policy and guidelines are being followed. Coordinators also ensure that all projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Clinical research associate vs coordinator salary

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

Clinical Research AssociateCoordinator
Average salary$62,966$41,599
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $91,000Between $27,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between clinical research associate and coordinator education

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

Clinical Research AssociateCoordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Clinical research associate vs coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Research AssociateCoordinator
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 28.3% Female, 71.7%Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between clinical research associate and coordinator duties and responsibilities

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

Coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct kaizen blitz in the machine shop that achieve higher productivity and efficiency gains.
  • Manage documented records of meetings and contact with Pre-K teachers to discuss relevant information concerning children and families.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Manage IDT roster and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
  • Provide leadership development opportunities for youth and lead community events and activities for the community.
  • Facilitate development of veterans individual rehabilitation plans, which provide purpose, organization and empowerment to achieve life goals.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate vs coordinator skills

Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%
Common coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Excellent Organizational, 7%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Excellent Guest, 5%
  • Coordinators, 4%

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