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Senior research coordinator vs clinical research associate

The differences between senior research coordinators and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior research coordinator and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a senior research coordinator has an average salary of $65,316, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.

The top three skills for a senior research coordinator include patients, data collection and IRB. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Senior research coordinator vs clinical research associate overview

Senior Research CoordinatorClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$65,316$62,966
Hourly rate$31.40$30.27
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs56,85494,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a senior research coordinator do?

Senior Research Coordinators assist the development of research data from laboratory investigations and clinical trials. The coordinators gather, handle, and analyze preliminary data through the SPSS statistical software. They coordinate training conferences to track IRB status, maintain study supplies, and for site recruitment. Part of their job is to lead cross-divisional initiatives to strengthen delivery system products. They take part in international conferences and investigator meetings. The skills and knowledge necessary for this job include research procedures and projects, study protocol, and data collection.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Senior research coordinator vs clinical research associate salary

Senior research coordinators and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Research CoordinatorClinical Research Associate
Average salary$65,316$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $97,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryFinancePharmaceutical

Differences between senior research coordinator and clinical research associate education

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

Senior Research CoordinatorClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorPsychologyBiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior research coordinator vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between senior research coordinators' and clinical research associates' demographics:

Senior Research CoordinatorClinical Research Associate
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 30.5% Female, 69.5%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 10.8% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior research coordinator and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Senior research coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Perform insightful data analyses and adequately manage IRB protocol.
  • Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
  • Coordinate patient screening and intake as well as educated patients about inform consent and drug accountability.
  • Create and present PowerPoint slides for training webinars, meetings, and conferences.
  • Oversee research program and ensure all elements of the program are in compliance with FDA regulations.
  • Create a process for FDA hold import shipments, in order so items will not be used.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show more

Senior research coordinator vs clinical research associate skills

Common senior research coordinator skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Data Collection, 11%
  • IRB, 9%
  • Research Projects, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 5%
  • Informed Consent, 5%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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