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Clinical trials specialist vs clinical coordinator

The differences between clinical trials 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 trials specialist and a clinical coordinator. Additionally, a clinical trials specialist has an average salary of $74,910, which is higher than the $57,665 average annual salary of a clinical coordinator.

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

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical coordinator overview

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Coordinator
Yearly salary$74,910$57,665
Hourly rate$36.01$27.72
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs57,45874,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical trials specialist do?

A Clinical Trials specialist assist in the daily activities involved in clinical trials. This includes gathering facts, information, and observed data and helps analyze and interpret results. Clinic trials are essential in developing new medicines and vaccines needed for the safeguard of human health. Alongside this primary responsibility, it is also the clinical trial specialist's task to organize data, monitor laboratory equipment, and ensure all specimens needed for the trials are according to instructions.

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 trials specialist vs clinical coordinator salary

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Coordinator
Average salary$74,910$57,665
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $120,000Between $43,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CADover, DE
Highest paying stateCaliforniaDelaware
Best paying companyExelixisChildren's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical coordinator education

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 27.0% Female, 73.0%Male, 19.2% Female, 80.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 11.2% White, 62.9% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical coordinator duties and responsibilities

Clinical trials specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all clinical data and subject source documentation through the EDC system to verify compliance and subject eligibility.
  • Lead study data management activities for oncology trials in preparation for study close-out.
  • Review clinical study documents for completeness and compliance with protocol, FDA regulations, ICH and GCP guidelines.
  • Perform routine quality control (QC) of TMF and submit documents to ensure overall quality.
  • Review ICF and study reports and find discrepancies that are missed by CRO management.
  • Collect, review, approve and track in CTMS regulatory essential start-up and amendment documents.
  • Show more

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.
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Clinical trials specialist vs clinical coordinator skills

Common clinical trials specialist skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Clinical Research, 10%
  • Clinical Trials, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Consent Forms, 4%
Common clinical coordinator skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
  • Social Work, 3%

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