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Clinical trials specialist vs study coordinator

The differences between clinical trials specialists and study 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 study coordinator. Additionally, a clinical trials specialist has an average salary of $74,910, which is higher than the $47,435 average annual salary of a study coordinator.

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

Clinical trials specialist vs study coordinator overview

Clinical Trials SpecialistStudy Coordinator
Yearly salary$74,910$47,435
Hourly rate$36.01$22.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs57,45814,929
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
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 study coordinator do?

Study coordinators oversee the entire process of clinical research from its inception to its completion. The coordinators make certain that human subjects are safe and well-protected. They identify the eligibility of the subject through clinical record screening and medical information extracting. It is their responsibility to maintain the regulatory documents based on the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They should develop skills and knowledge in clinical trials, study protocol, and patient care.

Clinical trials specialist vs study coordinator salary

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistStudy Coordinator
Average salary$74,910$47,435
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $120,000Between $34,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyExelixisBloodworks Northwest
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical trials specialist and study coordinator education

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistStudy Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Clinical trials specialist vs study coordinator demographics

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

Clinical Trials SpecialistStudy Coordinator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 27.0% Female, 73.0%Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3%
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, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical trials specialist and study 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

Study coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and analyze EKG and sleep data collect from subjects in confidential database.
  • Establish and maintain strong community partnerships to achieve HIV prevention objectives.
  • Conduct consent discussions and other study procedures per protocol and CFR and GCP guidelines.
  • Maintain strict patient confidentiality according to HIPPA regulations, GCP and ICH , 21 CFR and other regulatory documentation.
  • Maintain accurate IRB, regulatory and study documentation to insure compliance with protocol and good clinical practice guidelines.
  • Coordinate day-to-day study activities including data collection and statistical analysis, protocol development/implementation, IRB relations, and staff development.
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Clinical trials specialist vs study coordinator skills

Common clinical trials specialist skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Clinical Research, 10%
  • Clinical Trials, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 8%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Consent Forms, 4%
Common study coordinator skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Informed Consent, 9%
  • IRB, 7%
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • FDA, 5%
  • Clinical Trials, 4%

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