According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols. | 89% |
| Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms. | 88% |
| Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses. | 88% |
| Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports. | 88% |
| Inform patients or caregivers about study aspects and outcomes to be expected. | 87% |
| Record adverse event and side effect data and confer with investigators regarding the reporting of events to oversight agencies. | 86% |
| Monitor study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional polices. | 86% |
| Oversee subject enrollment to ensure that informed consent is properly obtained and documented. | 86% |
| Maintain required records of study activity including case report forms, drug dispensation records, or regulatory forms. | 85% |
| Dispense medical devices or drugs, and calculate dosages and provide instructions as necessary. | 85% |
| Identify protocol problems, inform investigators of problems, or assist in problem resolution efforts, such as protocol revisions. | 85% |
| Review proposed study protocols to evaluate factors such as sample collection processes, data management plans, or potential subject risks. | 84% |
| Collaborate with investigators to prepare presentations or reports of clinical study procedures, results, and conclusions. | 82% |
| Track enrollment status of subjects and document dropout information such as dropout causes and subject contact efforts. | 81% |
| Code, evaluate, or interpret collected study data. | 81% |
| Direct the requisition, collection, labeling, storage, or shipment of specimens. | 81% |
| Instruct research staff in scientific and procedural aspects of studies including standards of care, informed consent procedures, or documentation procedures. | 80% |
| Maintain contact with sponsors to schedule and coordinate site visits or to answer questions about issues such as incomplete data. | 79% |
| Prepare for or participate in quality assurance audits conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups. | 78% |
| Order drugs or devices necessary for study completion. | 77% |
| Arrange for research study sites and determine staff or equipment availability. | 76% |
| Contact outside health care providers and communicate with subjects to obtain follow-up information. | 74% |
| Participate in the development of study protocols including guidelines for administration or data collection procedures. | 74% |
| Interpret protocols and advise treating physicians on appropriate dosage modifications or treatment calculations based on patient characteristics. | 74% |
| Confer with health care professionals to determine the best recruitment practices for studies. | 72% |
| Communicate with laboratories or investigators regarding laboratory findings. | 72% |
| Contact industry representatives to ensure equipment and software specifications necessary for successful study completion. | 71% |
| Register protocol patients with appropriate statistical centers as required. | 69% |
| Review scientific literature, participate in continuing education activities, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain current knowledge of clinical studies affairs and issues. | 69% |
| Organize space for study equipment and supplies. | 67% |
| Develop advertising and other informational materials to be used in subject recruitment. | 65% |
| Solicit industry-sponsored trials through contacts and professional organizations. | 64% |
| Participate in preparation and management of research budgets and monetary disbursements. | 61% |
