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Clinical research coordinator vs clinical research manager

The differences between clinical research coordinators and clinical research managers 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 coordinator and a clinical research manager. Additionally, a clinical research manager has an average salary of $96,504, which is higher than the $52,459 average annual salary of a clinical research coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical research coordinator include patients, informed consent and IRB. The most important skills for a clinical research manager are patients, oversight, and FDA.

Clinical research coordinator vs clinical research manager overview

Clinical Research CoordinatorClinical Research Manager
Yearly salary$52,459$96,504
Hourly rate$25.22$46.40
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs102,960100,000
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

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.

What does a clinical research manager do?

A clinical research manager is responsible for leading a clinical research team in conducting clinical trials for medical purposes. Clinical research managers conduct scientific investigations, following critical methods and procedures within the budget goals and discussed timeframe. They monitor the adequacy of laboratory tools and equipment, request purchase orders, and ensure the authenticity of the materials for the accuracy of findings. A clinical research manager also enforces strict safety standards and protocols during clinical trials to avoid potential hazards and chemical contamination.

Clinical research coordinator vs clinical research manager salary

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorClinical Research Manager
Average salary$52,459$96,504
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $72,000Between $66,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyGenentechVarian Medical Systems
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research coordinator and clinical research manager education

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorClinical Research Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical research coordinator vs clinical research manager demographics

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorClinical Research Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 20.0% Female, 80.0%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research coordinator and clinical research manager duties and responsibilities

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.
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Clinical research manager example responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage a regional CRA monitoring group that grow to 100 plus staff in two years.
  • Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
  • Prepare applications to have studies approve by hospital's institutional review board (IRB) and help present study to IRB.
  • Develop an open access communication method for patients to discuss their questions and/or concerns with the principal investigators.
  • Major contributor to the NDA for both Depo-Provera contraceptive as well as Caverject for erectile dysfunction.
  • Interview, select, train, and monitor all clinical sites; negotiate site and CRO budgets.
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Clinical research coordinator vs clinical research manager skills

Common clinical research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 10%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Research Projects, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common clinical research manager skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Data Management, 4%

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