Clinical Research Coordinator
Medical Office Administration
A program that prepares individuals for careers as clinical research administrators or clinical research coordinators where they work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator to organize, coordinate and administer clinical research trials.
What Clinical Research Coordinators Do
A program that prepares individuals for careers as clinical research administrators or clinical research coordinators where they work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator to organize, coordinate and administer clinical research trials.
Common Tasks
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- 1Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.
- 2Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.
- 3Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.
- 4Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.
- 5Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.
What You'll Learn
Types of Clinical Research Coordinators
Work Environment
Locations
- • Hospitals and health systems
- • University medical centers
- • Clinical research sites and outpatient clinics
- • Pharmaceutical and biotech companies
- • Contract research organizations (CROs)
Schedule
Most roles follow a weekday business schedule with moderate time pressure, though participant visits and study deadlines can occasionally require early/late hours.
Physical Demands
Work is largely desk-based with high sitting time and frequent computer use. Standing and walking are moderate and usually limited to clinic visits, meetings, and coordinating participant appointments.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 842,800 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand may rise as hospitals, universities, and biotech/pharma companies run more clinical trials and need staff to manage compliance, data, and participant coordination. Growth in healthcare services and increased regulatory requirements can also increase the need for organized research operations support.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong pay potential and career growth in healthcare administration
- • Work is mission-driven and supports new treatments
- • Variety of tasks across patients, data, and compliance
- • Transferable skills across hospitals, academia, and industry
Cons
- • High documentation burden and strict regulatory deadlines
- • Moderate time pressure around visits, audits, and reporting
- • Work can be detail-heavy and repetitive at times
- • Coordination challenges across multiple stakeholders
Common Questions About the Clinical Research Coordinator Trade
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