This position combines many tasks and responsibilities from both clinical research associate (CRA) and project manager (PM).
The Society
of Clinical Research Associates, (SoCRA) defines a Clinical Research
Associate (CRA) as someone who "functions as an administrator,
coordinator, consultant, educator, or researcher" in clinical trial
management. SoCRA offers certification and continuing education
programs for members and non-members. The
Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) delineates two
separate definitions, clinical research coordinator and clinic
research associate. A clinical research associate here is defined
as "a monitor, an auditor, or a project director", and is
employed" by the sponsor, or by a contract research organization
(CRO)". A CRA in this case operates independently from the study
site. ACRP also offers certification and continuing education
programs for its members and non-members. The Drug
Information Association (DIA) is an organization in which health
professionals exchange and share information on the discovery,
development, evaluation, and utilization of health care medicines and
technologies. The DIA provides opportunities for continuing education
to professionals. The CRA
Registry is an organization with whom auditors, monitors, data
reviewers and study coordinators can register their resumes for
potential employers such as CROs, Pharmaceutical sponsors, and
Medical Device companies. Clinical
trial management (research studies) is a stringently regulated
process in which human subjects (volunteers) participate in
research study. There are
several organizations that monitor the participation and the safety
of human subjects in drug studies, as well as regulate the conduct of
research studies, worldwide. The International Conference on
Harmonisation is one organization in which regulatory authorities
from Europe, Japan and the United States join with experts from the
pharmaceutical industry to discuss scientific and technical aspects
of product registration. In the United States, The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulates the drug research and development
process. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are regional, state, or
local agencies that ensure the safety of human subjects. An
investigational new drug (IND) , a new health product, or a new treatment for
an existing product must undergo strict studies and tests before it
is made available to the public. During these
studies, human subjects are monitored by specific procedures that are
outlined in the study's protocol (design). Data is collected and analyzed, based upon
the protocol. Safety (how safe a study drug or a mechanical device is for
human subjects) and efficacy (how well the drug or the device
is in the treatment) are monitored closely. There are
typically four phases during a drug's development, during which
safety and efficacy is constantly monitored. The following are
simplified definitions: Some of the responsibilities of a CRA include:
Some of the
responsibilities of a PM include: