Clinical Research Associate

On successful completion of this program, you will be certified and will have acquired knowledge, skills and competencies to start at an entry level role as Clinical Research Associate, In-House Clinical Research Associate or similar.

COURSE Content

Successfully complete the 8 competency modules below to obtain your VIARES Certificate.
  • Background of medicines development
  • Research and discovery stage & product development
  • Clinical development
  • Regulatory submission, Health Technology Assessment, lifecycle management
  • ICH GCP and other applicable regulations
  • Applicable international and national regulations
  • ICH GCP E6 (R2)
  • FDA Regulation
  • Quality Assurance: Audits and Inspections
  • The Study Protocol
    • Elements of a Study Protocol according to ICH GCP
    • Trial Design
    • Methodologies
  • Roles and Responsibilities
    • Ethics Committees
    • Sponsor / Monitor
    • Investigator
    • Competent Authority
  • Selecting an Investigational Site
    • Assessing Investigational Sites
    • Training and Upgrading Investigational Sites
  • Initiating Investigational Sites
    • Organizing the Initiation Visit
    • Setting up the required documentation – Essential Documents
  • Effective Monitoring
    • Planning, Conducting, Documenting, and Reporting Monitoring Visits
    • Managing Issues
  • Closing Investigational Sites
    • Organizing the Close-Out Visit
    • Documentation
    • Reporting
  • Patient Protection
    • Patient Information
    • Collecting Patient Consent
    • Special Patient Populations
  • Adverse Event Reporting
    • Types of Adverse Events
    • Identifying and Reporting Serious Adverse Events
  • Managing the Investigational Medicinal Product
    • Definition of investigational medicinal product (IMP) / study drug
    • Provision of the IMP
    • Drug Accountability
    • Randomization, blinding and un-blinding processes
    • Managing Expiry Dates
    • Collecting IMP after Site Close-out
  • Data Collection
    • Clinical Research Form (CRFs)
    • Process of Data Collection
    • Data Collection Systems
  • Data Validation
    • Data validation process
    • Query Process
    • Data Quality Assurance

VIARES CERTIFICATE

Upon enrollment you will receive your first certification “Confirmation of Enrollment”. After successful completion of the course and your exam, you get your personal “Course Certificate” including:

  • course title
  • contact hours
  • continuing education units (CEU)
  • your overall course score
  • date of completion
  • personal certificate verification code
 

We also show you how to best share your certificate on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

There are several reasons why you might consider getting a CRA certification:

Demonstrated knowledge and commitment: Obtaining a CRA certification demonstrates to employers and colleagues that you have a strong understanding of clinical research processes, regulations, and best practices. It shows your commitment to your career in clinical research and can set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs.

Increased job opportunities: Many employers prefer or require candidates with CRA certifications for their open positions. Having a certification can make you a more competitive candidate and increase your job opportunities.

Career advancement: A CRA certification can help you advance in your career by opening up opportunities for promotion, leadership roles, and increased pay.

Continuing education: Many employers require ongoing education and professional development, which can help you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

Overall, obtaining a CRA certification can help you stand out in a competitive job market, demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to your career, and open up opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

Delivered by industry experts

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Gabi Disselhoff

Regulatory & Quality Expert

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GAVIN CHAIT

Clinical Data Scientist

Hear from our graduates

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Anna

I have enjoyed discussion organized by the expert instructors. I believe they bring important understanding how to implement GCP rules in everyday practice, what challenges a CRA can face and how to meet business objectives, whilst staying

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compliant with GCP regulations. I liked the real life cases that prompted discussion and opinion sharing during the webinars.

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Hussein

After finishing my PhD in Developmental Biology, I wanted to enter the clinical research field. I have done the CRA course and it was super beneficial. I enjoyed the micro courses and assignments. Thanks to VIARES Academy, I also got an

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ACRP ELKA certificate and I am sure it would be a great push for me to find an entry level job. Thank you VIARES Academy.

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Customer Reviews

Based on 76 reviews
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Panojot Bifsha

Clinical Research Associate

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Vincent Salano
CRA COURSE

This is the best online course, I have really learnt and eager to put my knowledge into practice

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Neliswa Hlongwana

I m happy with my course, informative and we'll structured, big ups to our Instructors

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Ashish Anbasti

Clinical Research Associate

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patrick padja

Patrick

reviews curated by judge.me

Why become a CRA?

There are several reasons why you might consider becoming a Clinical Research Associate (CRA):

Opportunity to contribute to developing new drugs and medical devices: As a CRA, you will be involved in clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs and medical devices. This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of new treatments that can improve the lives of patients.

Career growth potential: Clinical research is a growing field, and there is a high demand for experienced CRAs. With experience, you can advance to positions with greater responsibility and higher pay.

The salary of a CRA can vary depending on several factors, including the location, type of employer, level of experience, and educational background.

According to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical research associates was $70,720 as of May 2020. However, salaries can range from around $47,000 to over $125,000 per year.

Overall, a career as a CRA can be financially rewarding, with opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential over time.

Flexibility: CRAs can work for pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, academic institutions, or government agencies. There are also opportunities to work remotely or travel to different clinical trial sites.

Personal fulfillment: As a CRA, you will be part of a team that is working to improve patient outcomes. This can be personally fulfilling and rewarding work.

Ultimately, whether or not you should become a CRA depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. If you are passionate about medical research, enjoy working in a team environment, and have strong attention to detail, a career as a CRA may be a good fit for you.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CRA?

The typical responsibilities of a CRA can vary depending on the employer, the stage of the clinical trial, and the size of the study team. However, some common responsibilities of a CRA may include:

  • Study site management: CRAs are often responsible for managing the study sites participating in a clinical trial. This may involve conducting site feasibility assessments, training site staff on study protocols and procedures, and monitoring site performance.
  • Data collection and review: CRAs may collect and review study data to ensure that it is accurate and complete. This may involve reviewing medical records, lab reports, and other documentation.
  • Adverse event monitoring: CRAs are responsible for monitoring adverse events reported by study participants and ensuring that they are reported and managed appropriately.
  • Regulatory compliance: CRAs must ensure that the study is conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and guidelines, such as good clinical practice (GCP) and the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines.
  • Documentation: CRAs must maintain accurate and complete study documentation, including case report forms (CRFs), study logs, and other study-related documents.
  • Communication: CRAs must communicate effectively with study team members, site staff, and study participants to ensure that the study is conducted smoothly and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner.
  • Subject recruitment: CRAs may be involved in supporting recruitment of eligible study participants.

 

Overall, the role of a CRA is multifaceted and requires a high level of attention to detail, organization, and communication skills.

Is this the best option for me?

To become a CRA, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree in a life science or healthcare-related field, such as biology, chemistry, nursing, or pharmacy. However, some employers may accept degrees in other fields if you have relevant work experience.

In addition to a degree, it is beneficial to have experience working in the healthcare or research industry. This can include positions such as a research assistant, laboratory technician, or nurse. Other skills for a CRA include attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software is also important.

If you are not sure if this is the right training for you, we are happy to help you make the right decision. Email us at academy@viares.com and we will contact you.

NEW JOBS POSTED TODAY

This is a snapshot of the latest new entries from our full list of global clinical research jobs. Our list is updated and curated for you daily, adding hundreds of new jobs. Get full access with a VIARES account.

 
-50%

BESTSELLER

Clinical Research Associate
Typical annual market salary:
$47,000 to $125,000+
This Course includes

 149,90

 24,90 / month for 12 monthsPay monthly

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GABRIELE DISSELHOFF

38 years in pharmaceutical development

Gabriele is currently the Managing Director of CRQS (Creative Regulatory & Quality Solutions), specializing in Strategic Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management, Organizational Development and Change Management. She has 38 years of experience under her belt in pharmaceutical development, with 29 years in pharmaceutical industry (Merck KGaA, Abbott) and 9 years consulting. She has extensive industry experience in regulatory affairs, clinical research and clinical quality assurance, and a thorough knowledge of document management and electronic submissions.

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GAVIN CHAIT

Data Scientist at Whythawk

Gavin Chait is a Data Scientist at Whythawk, which specializes in integrated open data consulting, and training for open knowledge, freedom of information, and economic development projects. He spent more than a decade in economic and development initiatives in South Africa. He was a commercial director at the Open Knowledge Foundation, and led the implementation of numerous open data projects around the world. Gavin has twenty years of experience in teaching at all academic levels, and is a passionate advocate for knowledge development through open access to data and freedom of information.

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1 YEAR ACCESS
Pay in 12 monthly INSTALLMENTS
  • One year access to your training courses
  • Plan ends automatically after 12 payments
  • Personalized certificate upon completion
  • VIARES exam – 2 attempts included
  • All online-training course material
  • Online access to our learning management system
  • No training course handouts for offline learning
  • No unlimited access

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Learn at your own pace!
ONLY ONE Payment
  • All benefits from the montly payment plan
  • Life-time access to your purchased course
  • Training course handouts included
  • Life-time support from the VIARES tutors
  • And much more...
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Monthly

1 YEAR ACCESS
Pay in 12 monthly INSTALLMENTS
  • One year access to your training courses
  • Plan ends automatically after 12 payments
  • Personalized certificate upon completion
  • VIARES exam – 2 attempts included
  • All online-training course material
  • Online access to our learning management system
  • No training course handouts for offline learning
  • No unlimited access

LIFETIME

one payment - unlimited access
ONLY ONE Payment
  • All benefits from the montly payment plan
  • Life-time access to your purchased course
  • Training course handouts included
  • Life-time support from the VIARES tutors
  • And much more...
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Monthly

pay as you go
Completely Flexible
  • Control over your plan; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace; set your own deadlines
  • VIARES exam – 2 attempts included
  • All online-training course material
  • Online access to our learning management system
  • Personalized certificate upon completion

LIFETIME

one payment - unlimited access
NO TIME LIMITS
  • All benefits from the monthly payment plan
  • Life-time access to your purchased course
  • Life-time support from the VIARES team
  • Free Handouts for all courses
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