Quickest HealthCare Degrees
   
 
Clinical Trials Assistant - Healthcare Career
 
   
 
 
Clinical trials gather information about health treatments including drugs, equipment, diagnostic procedures and therapies. These trials determine the safety and effectiveness of the various medical interventions. A Clinical Trials Assistant (CTA) is a valuable member of the team that conducts the study and collects the data.  
 
 
 

 

Get Your Degree!

Find schools and get information on the program that’s right for you.

Powered by Campus Explorer

 
 
 
 
Clinical Trial Assistant Job Description
 
  A clinical trials assistant will have many different duties that are determined by the type of trial being conducted and the scope of the study. A CTA is also called a clinical research assistant (CRA) or simply a research assistant. The assistants work in medical settings that may be hospitals, laboratories or other facilities. They help with medical trials that monitor the effectiveness and safety of medications, therapies and medical devices.

The specific duties of a CTA will vary, depending on the type of trial being conducted, but there are general guidelines common to all clinical trials. Basically, the assistant helps with all phases of a clinical trial. He or she is involved in the formation, planning, implementation and, finally, the review of the trial results.

A clinical trials assistant has the responsibility to help organize and communicate data for the project. The assistant often is involved in recruiting participants and investigators for the trials, preparing plans of action and presenting reports and procedure routines at meetings and conferences. The CTA also is responsible for knowing regulatory standards and ethical guidelines and helping to ensure that the trial is adhering to all standards.

Clinical trials assistants play an important role in improving medications, therapies and medical interventions. It is a rewarding career that involves a great amount of responsibility but also provides the satisfaction of being able to contribute to patient safety.
 
 
 
How Can I Become a Clinical Trials Assistant?
 
  Anyone who wants to be a clinical trials assistant should have a Bachelor of Science degree in a health-related field and, ideally, clinical experience in a research area. Knowledge of medical terminology is a must as well as computer skills to input and organize data. A background in statistics as it relates to clinical practices also is helpful.

The most common area of study for anyone wanting to be a CTA is the medical field or a scientific area such as biology. Nurses are good candidates for the job because of their familiarity with medical terminology and their clinical background. It is rare that a person with an associate degree in nursing would qualify, but there may be clinical trials that would hire someone at an entry level and provide on-the-job training.


For people who want to get into the healthcare field and work their way up, there are quick healthcare degrees in various medical and therapy specialties. These jobs provide clinical experience that can be useful as a background for additional education and may lead to qualifying for a position as a clinical trials assistant.
 
 
 
What is the Salary of a Clinical Trials Assistant?
 
  The average annual salary for a CTA is about $50,000, but that amount can vary widely according to qualifications and experience. Of course, someone with an advanced degree or years of experience will make much more than the average. Educational level is the most important factor in determining salary. With experience and further education, clinical trials assistants can climb the career ladder to supervisory positions that pay $90,000 or more.

Clinical trial research is a rapidly growing field that holds many career opportunities for those interested in human health. They can use their education and skills to contribute to the welfare of many people.
 
 
 
     
   
     
   
     
 
© Copyright 2011 Quickest Health Care Degrees. All Rights Reserved.