Clinical research specialist vs clinical coordinator

The differences between clinical research specialists and clinical 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 specialist and a clinical coordinator. Additionally, a clinical research specialist has an average salary of $60,945, which is higher than the $57,665 average annual salary of a clinical coordinator.

The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a clinical coordinator are patients, customer service, and CPR.

Clinical research specialist vs clinical coordinator overview

	Clinical Research Specialist	Clinical Coordinator
Yearly salary	$60,945	$57,665
Hourly rate	$29.30	$27.72
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	96,707	74,962
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a clinical research specialist do?

An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel. They also work on coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.

What does a clinical coordinator do?

A clinical coordinator is responsible for monitoring a healthcare facility's daily operations, ensuring the best quality services for the patients. Clinical coordinators perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as organizing patient files, communicating with other departments and healthcare organizations for validating patients' information and insurance documents, prepare medical reports, assist medical professionals in medical procedures, and observe sanitary and hygienic standards. A clinical coordinator must have excellent time-management skills to perform duties under minimal supervision.

Clinical research specialist vs clinical coordinator salary

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Clinical Coordinator
Average salary	$60,945	$57,665
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $87,000	Between $43,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Dover, DE
Highest paying state	California	Delaware
Best paying company	Edwards Lifesciences	Children's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between clinical research specialist and clinical coordinator education

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Clinical Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Biology	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Clinical research specialist vs clinical coordinator demographics

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

	Clinical Research Specialist	Clinical Coordinator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%	Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.0% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 8.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between clinical research specialist and clinical coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical research specialist example responsibilities.

Manage the input of the subjects' data among various management database including iMedidata, EDC.
Develop and project manage a staffing program model to support inpatient oncology.
Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
Review and edit clinical documentation for FDA submission and approval.
Prepare investigator initiate and industry study protocol for IRB review and approval.
Participate in study developments to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and guidelines.

Clinical coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage chronic illnesses such as hypertension, coronary disease and diabetes.
Create and manage case report forms and transmit data through EDC to sponsor.
Manage patient telemetries systems to include EKG's, vitals, INR management and sleep monitoring systems.
Manage the CRA team and serve as main point of contact for study logistics and relate questions including subject eligibility questions.
Manage common side effects of chemotherapy and experimental therapies.
Manage the clinical reimbursement coordinators traveling schedule to ensure that facilities have adequate MDS coverage.

Clinical research specialist vs clinical coordinator skills

Common clinical research specialist skills

Patients, 12%
Clinical Trials, 8%
Informed Consent, 8%
Data Collection, 7%
IRB, 6%
Research Data, 5%

Common clinical coordinator skills

Patients, 29%
Customer Service, 6%
CPR, 5%
Rehabilitation, 3%
Vital Signs, 3%
Social Work, 3%

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Clinical Research Specialist
Clinical Research Specialist vs Clinical Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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