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Clinical trials specialist vs clinical manager

The differences between clinical trials specialists and clinical managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical trials specialist, becoming a clinical manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a clinical manager has an average salary of $84,066, which is higher than the $74,910 average annual salary of a clinical trials specialist.

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

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical manager overview

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Manager
Yearly salary$74,910$84,066
Hourly rate$36.01$40.42
Growth rate6%28%
Number of jobs57,45881,863
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4447
Years of experience26

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 manager do?

A clinical manager is responsible for monitoring medical procedures and administrative duties to ensure the smooth flow of operations in a healthcare facility. Clinical managers manage the facility's staffing needs, evaluate budget reports, assist healthcare professionals on administering medical duties, and develop strategic procedures to optimize treatments and maximize productivity. A clinical manager enforces strict sanitary and safety regulations for everyone's strict compliance. They also need to have excellent knowledge of the medical industry to promote medical processes and provide the highest quality care.

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical manager salary

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Manager
Average salary$74,910$84,066
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $120,000Between $55,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyExelixisGenentech
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical manager education

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical manager demographics

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistClinical Manager
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 27.0% Female, 73.0%Male, 22.6% Female, 77.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%12%

Differences between clinical trials specialist and clinical manager 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 manager example responsibilities.

  • Track and manage IRB approvals.
  • Lead a team of 25 patient service coordinators and receptionists.
  • Manage and lead teams consisting of multiple internal departments as well as CRO and other vendors.
  • Manage data for research project billing and accountability for drug study product in accordance with FDA regulations.
  • Manage studies in association with the lead CRA to ensure all project expectations and milestones are meet.
  • Manage all facets of daily operations relating to imaging services, radiation therapy, and medical oncology services.
  • Show more

Clinical trials specialist vs clinical manager skills

Common clinical trials specialist skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Clinical Research, 10%
  • Clinical Trials, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Consent Forms, 4%
Common clinical manager skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%
  • Quality Patient Care, 5%
  • Patient Education, 3%

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