What does a clinical statistical programmer do?
Clinical statistical programmers collect data, execute statistical analysis, and analyze data sets based on the needs of the clients or employers. The programmers use SAS programming for data set development and analysis during clinical trials. They integrate data for reports after statistical analysis or clinical research. The skills they need to develop include analytical thinking, attention to detail, research, and strategic planning. They should also need to know statistical programming in clinical research.
Clinical statistical programmer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real clinical statistical programmer resumes:
- Manage clinical trial validation studies and QC for NDA submission.
- Manage the system test for the installation of large IBM mainframe COBOL, CICS, IMS software package.
- Lead statistical analysis and programming for data service projects for clinical trials to submit for FDA approval, for various clients.
- Develop different VBA macro tools to automate reporting and assure information accuracy, overlapping avoidance and management control.
- Create safety and efficacy customize reports for FDA regulatory submissions.
- Programme quaternion math library using C++.
- Used SAS/STAT and SAS/Graph procedures to create summaries and graphs.
- Programme and edit HTML and JavaScript surveys used in online market research.
- Involve in producing analysis data sets by viewing metadata from SDTM and ADAM data sets.
- Design survey driven websites using XHTML, CSS, PHP, and GMI Net-MR as the primary development tools.
- Work on data integration of various studies perform in different parts of the world and integrate them using CDISC SDTM.
- Create derive data sets (SDTM, CDISC, Adam).
- Used basic Linux commands such as: grep, cd, ls, and gvim.
- Work on CICS and batch systems.
- Develop user interface using JSP and JSF.
Clinical statistical programmer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Clinical Statistical Programmers are proficient in Macro, Data Management, and Adam. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Troubleshooting skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Clinical Statistical Programmers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Macro, 19%
Assist statisticians with developing and maintaining analysis database specifications and SAS Macro library.
- Data Management, 8%
Collaborated with Clinical, Regulatory, and Data Management colleagues to coordinate collection and reporting of clinical trial results.
- Adam, 7%
Created and validated various specifications for SDTM and ADAM transfer purposes.
- Efficacy, 6%
Combined protocols and generated integrated summaries of efficacy and safety following specifications, SAP, CRF.
- SAS Programs, 4%
Develop, test and document SAS programs for data manipulation, exploratory data analysis and statistical analysis.
- FDA, 4%
Developed programs for Integrated Summary Safety reports for FDA submission.
Common skills that a clinical statistical programmer uses to do their job include "macro," "data management," and "adam." You can find details on the most important clinical statistical programmer responsibilities below.
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a clinical statistical programmer to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "programmers must focus their attention on their work as they write code or check existing code for errors." Clinical statistical programmers often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created pharmacokinetics concentration and pk parameter sdtm datasets for phase i clinical trials. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling clinical statistical programmer duties is troubleshooting skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "an important part of a programmer’s job is to check the code for errors and fix any they find." According to a clinical statistical programmer resume, here's how clinical statistical programmers can utilize troubleshooting skills in their job responsibilities: "performed troubleshooting; performance enhancements; impairment, regression and risk analyses. "
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of clinical statistical programmers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday clinical statistical programmer duties, as "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "led statistical analysis and programming for data service projects for clinical trials to submit for fda approval, for various clients. "
Detail oriented. A big part of what clinical statistical programmers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to clinical statistical programmer responsibilities because "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical clinical statistical programmer tasks: "designed detailed project plan and schedule to meet the tight regulatory submissions' deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most clinical statistical programmers are:
- QuintilesIMS131 clinical statistical programmers jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings17 clinical statistical programmers jobs
- Regeneron11 clinical statistical programmers jobs
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Compare different clinical statistical programmers
Clinical statistical programmer vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a clinical statistical programmer are more likely to require skills like "macro," "data management," "adam," and "efficacy." On the other hand, a job as a software developer requires skills like "python," "c++," "software development," and "javascript." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Software developers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $96,138. On the other hand, clinical statistical programmers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $107,515.software developers tend to reach lower levels of education than clinical statistical programmers. In fact, software developers are 11.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Clinical statistical programmer vs. Software engineer
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that clinical statistical programmer responsibilities requires skills like "macro," "data management," "adam," and "efficacy." But a software engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "software development," "database," and "git."
On average, software engineers earn a higher salary than clinical statistical programmers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $122,617. Whereas clinical statistical programmers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $107,515.software engineers earn lower levels of education than clinical statistical programmers in general. They're 11.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Clinical statistical programmer vs. Java developer
A Java developer is responsible for developing Java-based applications, including its strong efficiency and smooth operations for the clients and business' use. Java developers implement application designs, diagnosing ineffective processes, and conducting troubleshooting. A Java developer must ensure the stability of the application before launch to provide the best user experience. Software developers must have an excellent command of programming languages, software analysis, system codes, and other technical specifications. A software developer maintains a record of the processes and issues resolutions for reference and improvement opportunities.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, clinical statistical programmers are more likely to have skills like "macro," "data management," "adam," and "efficacy." But a java developer is more likely to have skills like "spring boot," "database," "web application," and "css."
Java developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $96,841. Comparatively, clinical statistical programmers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $107,515.Most java developers achieve a lower degree level compared to clinical statistical programmers. For example, they're 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Clinical statistical programmer vs. Ios developer
An iOS developer specializes in designing and creating iOS applications suitable for Apple devices, ensuring quality and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collaborating with different developers to design and establish the applications' structure and features, developing a test system to identify its potential vulnerabilities, performing corrective measures, and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure its quality. Moreover, they may release the application on the App Store, resolve any bugs, and spearhead constant updates for optimal application performance.
Types of clinical statistical programmer
Updated January 8, 2025
