Print This PostWhen I first started noting down my thoughts on writing about a “Day in the life of a Clinical Trial Coordinator” and my experiences of working in this role, I thought wow..I do all that!
What is a clinical trial coordinator I hear you say… well firstly lets have some background on how I found myself working as a nurse in research. I qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 2000 (I was one of the last cohorts of Project 2000) and in 2006, I found myself shifting my career focus of community based Older Adult Mental Health to Alzheimer Disease (AD) research, which very much interested me. I was drawn to find out the how and the why aspects of AD and 19 years on, I am still as invested, driven and thankful for the many research participants who are involved in our research and for the researchers committed to discovering new interventions and treatments for better outcomes for our patients.
Now back to the question…What is the day in the life of a clinical trial coordinator like? A clinical trial coordinator is quite simply the centre point within a very multifaceted environment of people who all have same goal – to facilitate and deliver exceptional clinical research to develop potentially new treatments and interventions for the benefit of our patients.
Imagine if you will a clock and at the centre of that clock is the clinical trial coordinator, with each measure of time around the clock representing the people that the clinical trial coordinator interacts with for the duration of a clinical trial.
In any given day as a clinical trial coordinator I liaise with many different people such as pharmacists, radiographers, research nurses, administrators, doctors, ethics and research governance to name but a few, but at the heart of this is the engagement with participants who have volunteered to be part of our studies. Without their commitment to participate and engage, none of the research I have been fortunate to be part of would have been possible.
Not every day as a clinical trial coordinator is the same, but it is always interesting and busy!
In addition to liaison, my role on a daily basis encompassed a vast range of activities, a lot to cover but activities such as collaborating closely with the principal investigator; administration of study materials such as patient information sheets; follow up with participants; pre-screening for study eligibility; arranging study visits for the duration of the participants study journey; coordinating the wider support services; being a study rater and completion of questionnaires; actively maintaining accurate source documentation via paper and electronic methods and dealing with any unexpected changes such as adverse events, resources and staffing. As I have mentioned, not every day was the same and could unexpectedly present me with a different challenge, but working alongside an effective research team ensured the study was conducted safely and effectively.
Communication and engagement with anyone involved in research is vitally important, however communicating with participants is an integral part of my role.
From the initial contact about the study, being a detective to assess for study eligibility; randomisation and discussions around study medication; study follow up visits; retention and then finally study completion, there are many questions and conversations throughout their study journey, and key to this is developing a trusting and open environment whilst managing expectations. The clinical trial coordinator is the first point of contact for anyone who is part of a research study and ensuring I was an effective communicator enabled me to build engaging relationships with the many participants and research staff I have had the pleasure of meeting throughout my 19 years working in research.
Collaboration within such a large multidisciplinary environment requires a common connection – the clinical trial coordinator. Personally, writing this has been quite a challenge, trying to quantify a day in the life of a clinical trial coordinator, as we are many things to a lot of people and are very much integral to the success of any clinical research study. However, without the participants and excellent team members I have been fortunate to engage with in my role as a clinical trial coordinator I would not be able to continue doing the job that I do and enjoy (most of the time!).
Jacqueline Kerr
Author
Jacqueline Kerr is the Network Manager for the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. With a background in research management and public engagement, she is dedicated to supporting clinical trials and improving access to research across the country. Jacqueline works closely with clinicians, researchers, and the public to raise awareness of dementia studies and encourage participation.
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