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Clinical trials associate vs research nurse

The differences between clinical trials associates and research nurses 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 trials associate and a research nurse. Additionally, a clinical trials associate has an average salary of $74,952, which is higher than the $53,463 average annual salary of a research nurse.

The top three skills for a clinical trials associate include informed consent, patients and clinical operations. The most important skills for a research nurse are patients, informed consent, and data collection.

Clinical trials associate vs research nurse overview

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Nurse
Yearly salary$74,952$53,463
Hourly rate$36.03$25.70
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,48746,665
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical trials associate do?

A clinical trial associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a research nurse do?

A research nurse specializes in conducting studies and scientific research for healthcare and medical development. They may work for medical facilities, private clinics, learning institutions, and government agencies. It is their duty to design research strategies and procedures, gather and analyze samples through various scientific methods, coordinate with other experts, and develop treatment and healthcare plans to optimize patient services and outcomes. Moreover, a research nurse typically works with a team of researchers, which requires an active communication line while adhering to the organization's policies and regulations.

Clinical trials associate vs research nurse salary

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Nurse
Average salary$74,952$53,463
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $121,000Between $38,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyLaboratory Corporation of America Holdings
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalPharmaceutical

Differences between clinical trials associate and research nurse education

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical trials associate vs research nurse demographics

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

Clinical Trials AssociateResearch Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.3% Female, 74.7%Male, 9.2% Female, 90.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 8.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials associate and research nurse duties and responsibilities

Clinical trials associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage trial master files and study document to meet GCP/ICH and internal guidelines for records retention.
  • Audit TMF to ensure all require regulatory documentation are collected and lead.
  • Work closely with investigators to recruit eligible patients to clinical protocols, manage data collection and preparation.
  • Preform ICF customization in accordance with ICH guidelines, GCP s and local regulatory requirements.
  • Support the setup, data entry and QC of the system to ensure accuracy and quality of data.
  • Monitor clinical data and resolve inconsistencies according to FDA regulations and ICF guidelines.
  • Show more

Research nurse example responsibilities.

  • Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
  • Adhere to local and country specific GCP and ICH guidelines.
  • Ensure coordinator and investigator compliance with GCP and ICH guidelines.
  • Assure compliance with good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines and FDA regulations.
  • Ensure appropriate source documentation, drug accountability and study compliance according to GCP and CFR.
  • Oversee study protocol implementation to ensure compliance with FDA and other regulatory bodies' rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Clinical trials associate vs research nurse skills

Common clinical trials associate skills
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Clinical Operations, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Consent Forms, 5%
  • TMF, 5%
Common research nurse skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Informed Consent, 11%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • IRB, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%
  • Research Projects, 4%

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