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Clinical research coordinator vs senior clinical research associate

The differences between clinical research coordinators and senior 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 coordinator and a senior clinical research associate. Additionally, a senior clinical research associate has an average salary of $95,878, 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 senior clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and oncology.

Clinical research coordinator vs senior clinical research associate overview

Clinical Research CoordinatorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$52,459$95,878
Hourly rate$25.22$46.10
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs102,96094,045
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
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 senior clinical research associate do?

A Senior Clinical Research Associate performs and coordinates all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process. They design, implement, and monitor clinical trials.

Clinical research coordinator vs senior clinical research associate salary

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average salary$52,459$95,878
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $72,000Between $64,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyGenentechAcorda Therapeutics
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between clinical research coordinator and senior clinical research associate education

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorNursingBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Clinical research coordinator vs senior clinical research associate demographics

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

Clinical Research CoordinatorSenior Clinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 20.0% Female, 80.0%Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%
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, 11.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical research coordinator and senior clinical research associate 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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Senior clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage a consultant to review scientific support and create dossiers on each product that make health claims in the EU.
  • Interact with FDA and other regulatory authorities to manage and facilitate approval of regulatory submissions.
  • Monitor U.S. sites in accordance with ICH and GCP guidelines.
  • Maintain investigators and subjects files, review investigators files for compliance with GCP and FDA regulations, review drug utilization records.
  • Verify informed consent procedures and protocol requirements base on applicable regulatory requirements to ensure protection of study patients.
  • Provide site management for both therapeutic and supportive care oncology protocols that are complex and require knowledge in advance therapeutic areas.
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Clinical research coordinator vs senior clinical research associate skills

Common clinical research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 10%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Research Projects, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common senior clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Informed Consent, 6%
  • Oncology, 5%
  • CRA, 5%
  • Site Management, 5%
  • Field Training, 4%

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