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How To Get Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Experience

• by Kunal Sampat
• July 5, 2018
• in Clinical Operations

Do you want to start a career in clinical research? Do you want to get a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) job in ANY organization? 

Well, you’ve landed in the right place.

There are a ton of CRA jobs out there. But there is one major concern most employers have with entry-level candidates.

Employers want applicants to have relevant CRA experience. Your resume doesn’t even make it to the hiring manager’s desk because you don’t have two years of CRA experience.

How are you able to get CRA experience when they don’t really teach you to become a CRA in college?

• You’ve gone through four years of college education and have a degree engineering, science or management
• You’ve spent years working as a foreign doctor or even had your own private practice as a clinician
• You’ve successfully completed a certification in clinical trial management

You certainly have the right skills for a CRA role. But you’re finding it almost impossible to get your foot in the door.

And let’s be honest. Most people in clinical research learn how to be a CRA on the job. Through some mysterious way, they get hired and trained to become a CRA.

In this article, I’ll share with you everything I know that will help you build your clinical research resume. Pick 1-2 opportunities from this list below and follow all the steps in my BEAVER Method – Get A Clinical Research Job and you’re golden!

Ultimately, my goal is for you to get a paid CRA job in any organization of your choice.

So let’s get started

• Hospital or Clinic Volunteer

This is my favorite strategy to get CRA experience. It’s also exactly how I got my first break in the industry.

Believe it or not, most large hospital or clinics have an official volunteering program. The volunteer program mainly geared towards retired individuals who want to give back to the community. But that doesn’t mean you can’t qualify.

There are two ways you can volunteer at a local hospital or clinic. I’ll cover each one in-depth.

Traditional Volunteer

This is the type of volunteering role where you’re cleaning hospital beds and putting new sheets after the patient leaves.

Or you may be tasked to move patients from the emergency room to the radiology department for a CT scan or X-Ray.

Or you may be simply stuffing envelopes with letters to hospital donors.

There is no research involved. However, these internships are equally for someone who has close to zero experience in the medical field.

Such volunteer roles are quite easy to secure. All you have to do is fill out the volunteering application form to indicate your interested and availability to serve as a volunteer. Make sure you fill the forms accurately.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to commit at least 4-6 hours each week and be willing to serve the community and patients. It’s not about you or your desire to get CRA experience. It’s about the patients.

You volunteering application will be accepted in a few days. Next, you’ll be asked to complete simple medical exams to ensure you’re a safe human being with no diseases that pose a threat to the patients.

Once your test results are in and you’re all clear, you’ll get volunteer badge and become an official volunteer.

It’s really that simple.

Now you’re wondering, “How does being a hospital volunteer help me become a CRA?”

My short answer: The foundation of any clinical research job is to serve patients.

By working closely with patients, physicians and nurses, you’re unknowingly absorbing clinical knowledge that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so.

You’re also building a valuable skill of being able to work with doctors and nurses. These are the same individuals that serve as site investigators and research coordinators on clinical studies.

Once you’ve been a traditional volunteer for 3-4 months, you’ll have relevant clinical experience that you can list on your resume.

You want the recruiter and hiring managers to get a sense of how your volunteering work had an impact on the clinical practice, the things you learned or observed and the influence you had on patient’s lives.

Clinical Research Volunteer

I consider this as a special and lesser known volunteer path.

Many practicing physicians have a deep desire to conduct research. But they don’t end up publishing research papers or presenting at conferences.

Because seeing patients is a full-time job. For instance, a family practice physician in the United States has to see a minimum of 18-22 patients in an 8-hour day. This leaves little or no time to conduct research.

The doctors don’t have enough time on their hands to write a protocol, make an IRB submission, review medical records or charts, or perform analysis on the clinical data.

But this is where you come into rescue. Follow these five simple steps and get relevant clinical research experience.

Step 1: Determine which therapeutic areas you’re interested in. If you’re not sure, I’d recommend cardiology, oncology or diabetes.

Step 2: Next, you want to identify doctors working in those specialties. You can find these doctors by looking at the local hospital website.

Step 3: After identifying potential doctors you want to work with, send each of them a personalized email an expressing your interest in being a research volunteer.

Step 4: After a few email exchanges and probably an in-person interview with the doctor, you’ll land with you dream clinical research volunteer role.

I’ve actually followed this exact process and was able to get one publication and one presentation on neonatal care.

Step 5: Once your research paper or presentation is complete, you can add it to your resume and brag about it to recruiters and hiring managers.

• Intern at a Fortune 500 Company

Most of us understand the value of an internship. It’s a great way to get relevant clinical experience and probably making a bit of money on the side.

Internship at a Fortune 500 healthcare company such as Pfizer, Abbott, Merck, Apple and even Google (yes, Apple and Google have healthcare products) can be a very rewarding experience.

These are also most sought-after internships. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get in.

Pros/Cons of Internship Roles at Fortune 500 Companies

• Excellent clinical training opportunity. You get to learn and implement standard operating procedures, application of GCP in real-world studies, working with cross-functional teams and more
• You will most likely get paid for your time as an intern
• A structured application process requires advanced planning. You will generally to apply 9-12 months prior to the target internship start date
• The internship program is mostly geared towards full time or part-time students
• Highly competitive (but hey, competition can make things better)

Resources: Fortune 500 Healthcare Company Internship and Coop Programs

Here is the current list of Fortune 500 companies .

You can apply filters such as “Industry – Pharmaceuticals” to identify healthcare companies.

Links to a few Co-op and Internship Programs at Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Companies

Johnson & Johnson

Pfizer’s US Summer Student Intern Program

Merck’s career program for interns, coops and recent grads

AbbVie’s US Student Internship Program

Gilead Sciences Internships

Eli-Lilly Student Opportunities

Amgen Internships and Coops

Bristol-Myers Squibb Internship Programs

Biogen Internship and Coop Programs

Abbott Internships and Development Programs

• Work at a Healthcare Start-up

This strategy is an extension of securing an internship role at Fortune 500 healthcare companies.

When most people think of jobs or internships, multinational corporations come to the top of our mind. However, the Fortune 500 list is limited to the top companies.

There are thousands of other companies that operate in the healthcare space but do not make it to the Fortune 500 list.

A quick search on Angel.co revels that there are at least 18,956 healthcare startups . This list doesn’t even account for established companies that don’t make it to the Fortune 500 list.

A position at a healthcare startup that sells medical products or services is an excellent opportunity to not only learn more about healthcare space but have a greater impact in society.

Here is why I think a healthcare startup will love you:

• Most start-up companies are resource strapped. Resources could be money, time, or people. Therefore, if a startup can acquire an extraordinary talent such as yourself, they can save one or more of these resources
• Most start-ups are trying to grow and spread their message. If you can contribute towards the company’s goals and help them get one step closer to the finish line, they have no choice but to fall in love with your passion and commitment towards their organization.

Pros/cons of working at a healthcare startup

• You get to wear different hats at a healthcare start-up. One day you’ll be working on a new clinical trial and the next day you’ll be packing boxes to ship medical products to a clinical trial site. Such experience is of much value to companies hiring for CRA positions
• You’ll be presented with opportunities to work on important problems. If you can jump on these opportunities and show that you can execute and deliver results, you can accelerate your clinical research career
• Unlike Fortune 500 healthcare companies, start-ups are lesser known to job seekers. This makes it relatively easy to secure an internship, full-time or part-time position
• Your work objectives may not be as structured as a Fortune 500 company. You will probably be on your own and will need to figure things out by asking questions to people or finding clinical resources on government websites such as FDA.gov .
• There won’t be an established internship application process. You’ll need to email and call the CEO or head of clinical or R&D to get your foot in the door
• Your role may not be limited to clinical research. You’ll be expected to work on non-clinical tasks or goals
• You may or may not get paid. It depends on what you can negotiate

Resources: Working for Healthcare Startups

My favorite resource to research healthcare companies is biospace.com . It is a comprehensive list of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. Similarly, you can look up healthcare companies on angel.co .

Just start going through the company websites one-by-one, find out the CEO or vice president of clinical and begin contacting them for potential internship opportunities.

I know it’s a tedious process.

Plus there is a fear-factor of sending cold emails to people you don’t know. That’s precisely why very few people are doing this.

But if you want to become a CRA, this is your best shot to become one.

• Work for a Clinical Research Site or Site Network

Similar to a volunteer at a hospital or clinic, you can apply to work at a clinical research site or a clinical research site network.

To begin, let’s get some definitions out of the way.

A clinical research site is a location where a clinical trial is conducted.

It is generally a place where the site investigator and research coordinators see potential and current clinical trial patients, store regulatory binders, maintain patient medical records, place where CRA performs monitoring activities and more.

A research site can be independent, standalone office or part of a larger hospital system.

Many current clinical research professionals, which includes CRAs, started their careers as a clinical research coordinator (CRC) at a trial site.

Hospitals and clinics are looking for CRCs to enroll clinical trial patients, perform medical chart review or perform tasks such as data entry in clinical databases. This experience is in many ways the foundation of many CRAs in the industry.

It is important to note that although many CRCs are Registered Nurses (RN), you don’t need to be an RN to become a CRC.

On the other hand, a clinical research site network, is a network of sites and it means just that.

Sites will form networks or belong to paid networks to reduce fixed costs such as marketing and business development, provide a consistent experience to trial sponsors and CROs, and/or meet the highest level of clinical research standards.

Pros/cons of working at clinical research sites or site networks

• One of the best ways to understand the inner workings of a clinical research site
• Opportunity to work with multiples sponsors, CROs and patients. You’ll not only gain valuable experience but also grow your network, which can ultimately help you secure a full-time CRA job
• Highly sought-after experience for companies looking for CRA or CRA assistant candidates
• Given the academic and research-driven focus, internship stipends or salaries may be lower than industry jobs (sponsor/ CRO)
• If you’re an intern, you may not be able to work directly with patients due to privacy reasons or site policy. Instead, you’ll be assigned menial jobs such as filing regulatory documents or subject case report forms, all of which you should undertake with pride

Resources: How do you find a clinical research site?

Finding clinical research sites is a bit tricky.

For independent clinical research sites, you’ll have to rely on Google search or word of mouth.

Search of the terms “clinical research site + [your city/state/country].” If the site has a web presence, you will likely find them.

Large hospitals, particularly medical schools, are involved in clinical trials and have a clinical research department.

You basically contact the director of their clinical research or human resources (HR) department and ask them about career opportunities in their department.

Resources: How do you find a clinical research site network?

There are quite a few site networks but the sites that participate in these networks are sometimes not publicly available.

Well, because some site networks charge sites a flat annual fee to belong to their site research network or the site network charges sponsors get access to their sites. Someone has to pay for this information, it’s either the sites or sponsors.

Clinical Research Network has a public listing of sites in their network. You can reach out to some or all of these sites and ask them about potential career opportunities in research.

Center Watch also has a list of sites by geographic location

Research Match is an NIH funded initiative that connects patients and researchers. There are some big institutional names here. You can reach out to any of these sites and see if they are looking to hire or get volunteer help.

Platinum Research is another website where you can find a list of site research networks. Click on the “company websites” to get information on research sites in your area.

• Work at a Site Management Organization (SMO)

Similar to other career options we’ve discussed so far, working at a SMO is a great way to secure CRA experience.

A SMO is responsible for managing day-to-day trial management activities at a research site. Simply stated, the role of the SMO is to fill the gaps at a site.

For instance, a site may not have a dedicated research coordinator. This is where the SMO comes in play. Some sites have their own preferred SMO whereas other sites may be assigned a SMO by the clinical trial sponsor or clinical research organization (CRO).

Working at an SMO is in many ways similar to working at the site as described earlier.  12 – 24 months of SMO experience will generally be sufficient to meet the “two-year” CRA experience most sponsors or CROs require.

Pros/cons of working at a SMO

• Lesser known career opportunities, so your chances of getting hired are quite good
• Opportunity to truly understand the challenges faced by clinical research sites. This experience is valuable for anyone interested in becoming a CRA
• SMOs are more common in Asian countries such as Japan, India, Taiwan, and China. If you’re looking for international clinical research experience, this might be one the best ways to get it
• US-based SMOs are not as common and it can be challenging to come across a SMO closer to where you currently live
• Many SMOs are regional as they serve sites in their area

Resources: How to find a Site Management Organization?

Below are a few U.S. based SMOs

CMX Research Partner

PMG Research

CSSi Lifesciences

Consolidated Clinical Trials

• Work at a Clinical Research Organization (CRO)

A CRO provides clinical research services to sponsors. They are also known as Contract Research Organizations.

Today CROs are more popular than ever. Many Sponsor companies, large and small, don’t have the in-house clinical expertise to conduct a study. This is where a CRO comes into the picture.

A CRO provides the Sponsor the clinical resources i.e. people needed to execute on a clinical strategy. By hiring a CRO, the Sponsor isn’t stuck with permanent headcount, should they decide to abandon a medical product or terminate a clinical trial.

CRO size and specialty can vary. For instance, there are niche CROs that only serve certain therapies, regions, or types medical products such as a CRO specializing in medical device research.  

Pros/cons of working at a CRO

• More likely to hire individuals with little or no clinical research experience
• Opportunity to work on multiple therapeutic areas, medical products, and Sponsor companies
• Many CROs offer on the job training programs to help you with your professional development
• Service-based nature of CROs can lead to a stressful work environment when working with demanding Sponsors
• CRO personnel assignments are generally reviewed and approved by Sponsors. You may not get to work on your dream project if a Sponsor things you are not qualified, especially if you’re a newbie
• Pay for entry-level positions will likely be low. But if you truly care about CRA experience, the pay shouldn’t matter when you’re starting out. Build CRA relevant experience and then take on another opportunity within or outside the CRO
• Job descriptions may list a minimum two-year experience requirement, but I encourage you to apply to these junior level positions such as CRA assistant or clinical site coordinator/associate

Resources: How to find a Clinical Research Organizations?

Below are a few global CROs for you to consider:

PRA Health Sciences

Another option for finding CROs is First Clinical’s Supplier Directory , that lists several the companies that provide contract clinical research services.

• Intern at a Government (Regulatory) Agency

Government agencies play a crucial role in clinical research. They review and approve medical products. Their primary concern is patient safety.

Such organizations include the US Food and Drug Administration , competent authorities in the European Union such as Germany’s BfArM or China FDA .

Government laws and regulations form the foundation for any company wanting to obtain medical product approval for commercialization. The laws and regulations also apply to service-based companies such as CROs and SMOs and clinical trial sites conducting research.

Every clinical organization must follow the law and stay compliant. This is what makes working for government agencies exciting. You can learn things that truly matter when it comes to clinical research. You can then apply these learning as you advance in your clinical research career.

Pros/cons of an internship at a Government (Regulatory) Agency

• You’ll learn a lot about health care regulations, patient safety and how decisions are made inside government agencies. This is an incredibly valuable experience to have early on in your career
• Highly regarded among CRA hiring managers and recruiters
• Many opportunities will be unpaid or may come with a small stipend. If your primary objective is to gain valuable research experience, taking on volunteer opportunities within government organization is a great way to build your resume
• Certain organizations may require you to be a citizen of the country you’re interested in working for

Resources: Government (Regulatory) Agencies

Check your local country, state, county or city website to find out which department or division of the government is responsible for overseeing healthcare projects such as clinical trials.

Food and Drug Administration has an unpaid student volunteer program . I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this program is open for non-US citizens including permanent residents and visa holders.

You can also volunteer at FDA field offices, so you don’t need to relocate to Maryland. But if you can work at the FDA headquarters, that is probably the best as you’ll have access to more people and resources.

Other notable government or government-funded organizations are as follows:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a program for students and recent graduates
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an amazing program for students and college graduates
• U.S. National Library of Medicine has career opportunities for you to consider
• World Health Organization (WHO) , an agency part of the United Nation also has an internship program
• Work For A Nonprofit Focused On Healthcare Initiatives

Nonprofit organizations existing to fill gaps that the private and public sector do not or are unable to address. Nonprofits are mission-driven organizations.

There are thousands of nonprofits in the United States that are focused on healthcare initiatives and medical research. Such nonprofits include clinical research associations such as Association of Clinical Research Professionals , and American Heart Association .

Many people looking for CRA experienced are focused on CROs and Sponsor companies. But there are many lesser-known nonprofits that are looking for people like to you to work in the healthcare sector.

Your first job at these nonprofits will probably not a CRA position but you’ll gain valuable experience that will allow you to transition to a CRA position in the future.

Pros/cons of working at a nonprofit

• Nonprofits are generally looking for motivated individuals to support their mission
• Prior clinical research experience won’t be required in most organizations
• Excellent opportunity to take on meaningful work that isn’t focused on the financial bottom line. For-profit organizations are primarily driven by money and the work itself may not be as fulfilling
• A nonprofit may not be able to afford high salaries. You may be given a stipend or just enough money to survive

Resources: How to find Nonprofits with Healthcare Initiatives?

• First Clinical has one of the most comprehensive clinical research association directory listing . Many of these industry associations are probably nonprofits. Just start going through these associations one by one, reach out the Executive Director of each of these organizations and inquire about volunteering, full-time or part-time opportunities
• Guidestar is the world’s most comprehensive database for nonprofits. You can search for nonprofits in “Medical Research” or “Health” category and sort by “Gross Receipts”. If you start with organizations that have funding, they are more likely to hire you for a paid position
• Similar to Guidestar, there is Charity Navigator , where you can perform an Advanced Search for nonprofits in the Health → Medical Research category
• Health Finder , which was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services has a listing of nonprofit organizations in the healthcare field
• Invest In Your Learning

One of the best ways to get CRA experience is to invest in your learning. You can take on a certification program with organizations such as ACRP or SOCRA .

There are also paid and free online courses that you can take with ACRP , free GCP certification with NDAT CTN Training, or clinical research courses on Coursera .

However, knowledge through certifications or courses in and by itself is not sufficient to get a CRA role. You need to “learn” through practical experience.

You can also consider attending or volunteering at clinical research conferences hosted by companies such as ExL events , CBI events , ACRP or SOCRA . Such conferences allow you to network with like-minded people, which in turn creates opportunities for you and everyone else attending these events.

Finally, I would do a disservice to this article if I did not mention the important soft skills you need to master on your way to becoming a CRA. Some soft skills include negotiation, active listening, not complaining, empathy and self-awareness.

We’ve covered 9 different ways you can gain CRA experience. Pick 1-2 opportunities from this list, and pursue them with your full focus and energy.

Apply the foundational principles I share in the BEAVER Method – How to Get A Clinical Research Job and you’ll be on your way to getting your dream clinical research position in any organization.

What are you planning to do next? Let me know if the comments section below.

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Extreme Night Owl

Very good information. Thank you!

Kunal Sampat

Thank you@E@extremenightowl:disqus Let me know if you have any specific questions. Happy to help.

Gunturu .Neeharika

Hi kunal, I’ve been reading articles about volunteer research work online and I just got ended up here. Firstly, thanks for this simple and detailed information . I’m an ent surgeon from India but settled in Sydney as my husband is an Australian citizen. Im on my visitors visa now for next 5 months and I do want to utilize this time gaining experience in / learning research work while waiting for my medical registration here in Australia. I want to enrol as a volunteer in clinical trials or research work and I’m new to this area so, it would be great if you could help me with this ( any idea about opportunities in Sydney) .Thanks neeharika .

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Glad to hear you find the information useful. I’m happy to help you and will send you an email with details.

kunal i have questiion. I am base sas certified, currently living in atlanta. last ten years i was busy looking after my kids and family. now i want to work as clinical sas progrmmer. i want to know the job prospects especially in atlanta. can you help me.

Hi Asma, Have you tried to apply the BEAVER Method towards your job search efforts? https://clinicaltrialpodcast.com/get-a-clinical-research-job/ What is your #1 challenge with identifying potential opportunities? – Kunal

Hi Kunal, Thank you for your great information. I am a medical school applicant doing my msc in medical physics. I was thinking of part time joining a clinical research group as well. I also would love to publish some papers on clinical research area as well. I am very skilled in data analysis and working with people. My background is biophysics and math. Do you have any idea how I could go about that? Thank you,

Hi Adina, Thank you for reaching out. Yes, I think there are many ways for you publish papers in clinical research. One recommendation I have for you is that you reach out to some medical doctors that are actively conducting clinical trials at a teaching hospital near your home. You can then collaborate with them on a research project as volunteer. Since you’re proficient at data analysis, you can help the medical doctor collect and analyze clinical data. This can be retrospective data. The doctor will know where to publish etc. and he/she will add you as an author on the paper. This is how I got my very first paper in clinical research. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer any additional questions.

Hi Kunal, I am research professional with experience of 8 yrs in clinical trials in laboratory, quality assurance and recent role which was in data management /administration. (volunteer).Despite of such a strong professional experience can’t get a break through in the field. Because of recent volunteer role get some interview calls but don’t have ethics application experience holds me back. I am desperately looking and applying for clinical research assistant role but could not get it.Have a good references too but don’t know where I’m lagging behind as feedback of interviewers says they have more experienced candidates who has recently done the program or role. Kindly share some advice. Thanks . Pradeep

Hi Pradeep,

Have you checked out my other blog on “How to Get A Clinical Research Job” Here is the link to the blog post. https://clinicaltrialpodcast.com/get-a-clinical-research-job/

Please give this method a try and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Hi kunal, Thanks for these important tips. I am graduate as dentist from India and then i completed my post graduate diploma in clinical research from Institute of Clinical Research India. Post completion of this course, I had 6 months training as clinical research manager at a CRO and then worked as CRA at PGIMER, Chandigarh, India on an oncology trial for 6 months. Currently I am on visitor visa in Melbourne, Australia with my husband who is PR here. I want to utilize this time in some training or education for 3 months as i cant work on visitor visa. Kindly guide me with best of your knowledge and experience. Email is [email address removed]

Wasim Kamate

Hii Neha, we too have completed MDS and postgraduate diploma course in clinical research in Maharashtra India..Please guide me further as to what can I do to get experience in clinical research and post of clinical research manager in India, more comfortably in Maharashtra. Please guide us on email: [email protected]

Hi Kunal,,, Please guide me….I am Dr. Wasim Kamate, MDS with postgraduate diploma course in clinical research in Maharashtra India..Please guide me further as to what can I do to get experience in clinical research and post of clinical research manager in India, more comfortably in Maharashtra

thanks for sharing great article with us keep doing great work

Thank you, Preeti

Hi Kunal! Thank you for the valuable information.Prior to reading this article, I graduated with a bachelors degree in science and have been trying to get clinical research coordinator positions but to no avail. Hence I took up a clinical research internship with a Therapeutics company that focuses on immunotherapy for cancer.I figured getting experience from this internship would help me with attaining a CRC position in the future. I have thought long about whether what I did was right as I know I won’t be fully focusing on research after this internship. Your article has truly given me hope 🙂 Thank you!

Glad to hear Anisha. Don’t give up hope but take action towards your goal. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.

Wow what an incredible resource and well written article. I thank you very much Kunal!

Hi Kunal, I am a Commerce graduate and I did MBA in Finance and Supply chain management in 2011. I have changed my area of expertise a couple of times ranging from Banking and Finance, Retail, HR (compliance) and then ventured into data science in 2016 with a certificate in Big Data. I have been literally struggling to get a break in clinical SAS programming since this is my area of interest for a Full-time career option. I don’t know where to start. I appeared for an interview at PPD in March but did not clear it. I am due to appear for Clinical SAS programmer exam in the month of November but I am finding it extremely difficult to study the subject matter. I want a break in a CRO asap but dunno how and where to start. PPD had said that they are going to come up with a fresher opening where adequate training would be given but there has been no response. Please guide me. Many thanks. KG

Thanks for reaching out. A couple of things to consider: 1. I would reach out to the hiring managers at the various companies and jobs you’re interested in and feel qualified. You’ll need to use LinkedIn to find hiring managers. It is important that you contact people who are responsible for making hiring decisions. Don’t contact recruiters. 2. Get super organized around your job search. Focus on 10 job openings at a given time. You should consider creating a spreadsheet that lists this jobs and the name and phone number of the hiring managers. Then call those hiring managers and let them know you want to work for them. Get their advice and listen to their feedback. If you hear “no’s” change your job search strategy based on the hiring manager’s feedback.

To summarize, you need to focus on 10 positions at a given time and talk to the hiring managers. Your goal should be to get a “Yes” or a “No” from them. Don’t rely on PPD only.

Koyel Ghosh

Hi Kunal, I am writing to you to inform you that I am struggling to get a break in CRO for the last six months. I am BCom graduate and I have done MBA in Finance. I have experience in varied fields ranging from Finance, Banking, Retail, and finally Data science. I worked as a data scientist in a startup for 3months and I decided to pursue Clinical SAS as a career option. I have taken various training online Edex and Course-Era. I also completed certificate training from NIH and secured 88%. I am due to appear for clinical SAS exam in November. I am finding it extremely hard to secure a job in clinical SAS given the fact that I don’t have a life sciences background. Getting an internship is also so difficult. Please guide me.

Hi Kunal, Thank you very much for this incredible article, I’m a Foreing Medical Doctor and I have more than 2 years working as a CRC, I want to became a monitor,what do you advise to me to do.??… I would appreciate it very much!!..

AbeerSarwar

Hi, This article is so well written , i am a foreign medical graduate in usa , and i tried many of the resources mentioned in this article , all the websites i went to mostly required enrolled students in usa universities, what would be the best bet in this scenario , i live in florida and i asked around in hospitals near me where i couldn’t find anyone to be in research. thank you

biospherecro

Thanks for sharing it

Hi Kunal, thanks a lot for the tips and Information. I am a German. I have a masters degree in pharmaceutical biotechnology in Germany. Had to stay at home after that because of my kids. Because I wanted to work on my career, I decided to do the CRA course in Germany which I comleted in June 2018 in addition to a GCP-ICH Training. I just moved to Canada last December. I don’t really know how to go about job search here in Canada in the CRA field. Will be grateful if you can be of help. Sincerely yours

Hi Kunal, Thanks for this informative article regarding clinical research industry. I’m an international medical graduate in Sydney and l’m looking for a clinical research experience so that i can make an entry into this field, can you please guide me the options i can avail here in Sydney? Thanks!

Hi, I Would like to thank you for useful information before addressing my questions. The information which was mentioned is really helpful and informative. Coming to my queries, I need a guidance for getting into the Clinical research training. I have visited the sites who are providing training but unfortunately few applications are closed for summer. I stay in USA , I have a Post Graduate Degree in Pharmaceutical’s and I have a 2 years experience in India. But when I’m looking for opportunities here, I’m unable to get into the right path. Please guide me in choosing a right platform. Thanks & Regards, Anu

SRILAXMI KADAMBALA

Hi Kunal, Thanks a lot for useful information. I have done Masters in organic chemistry from kakatiya University , India.Here in Texas ,have worked as research assistant at Texas University for very short period. Drug chemistry and clinical trials are main major subjects in my studies. I am looking for CRA position and also attended 2 interviews, but all are asking for experience with patients and doctors. This article is very helpful to me. I will try to follow this. Thank you. Regards, Srilaxmi.

Hi Srilaxmi – great! keep me posted on your progress. Thanks! Kunal

Hi Kunal, Great article. Can you let me know your thoughts on the CRA online training provided by ccrpcourse dot com/? I am a research scientist and my company is giving me the opportunity to work on our upcoming trials. They will pay for the training course and I am trying to find one that is most inclusive, instead of 7 or 8 courses that will give me the experience. Please let me know your thoughts!

It is great and excellent article by you now I’ll chose some tips n tricks from this article that will help me out to get a cra job in india. Thank you so much. I have some query see I’m in india right now and want to wark in UAE as clinical research (crc/cra) if you have any idea about that how i go there and get an opportunity in good cro smo or hospitals and any article related it please share by mail. Thank you so much

Priyanka Thalluri

Thank you so much kunal

Ashwin Krishnamoorthy

Hi I am a medical graduate from India. I am looking for a medical field related job while I’m studying for the USMLE. What are the possibilities?

Hi Ashwin, You have multiple options to choose from. Check out this blog on the various roles in clinical research https://clinicaltrialpodcast.com/clinical-research/ . Find companies/ organizations that are hiring for the role you’re most interested in and then apply for the jobs.

Purval Yele

Hi Kunal This is very nice article which would certainly help all the people out there. I am thankful to you for the guidance. I am pursuing 2nd year Msc Clinical Research. Pls guide me whether to go for Phd? Which University would be good?

I’m a CVICU RN with a BSN and 5 years experience in healthcare plus previous 8 years of accounting experience. What would you suggest as the best route to break into the CRA profession. Every position I’m seeing is requiring 2 years of experience which I don’t have. Thank you.

Hi Liz, Your experience in the CVICU is SUPER-VALUABLE! And knowing about accounting (finance) is an equally valuable skill in clinical research. My question to you, “Why do you want to be a CRA?” I would recommend other roles such as clinical educator at a sponsor company where you’ll explain how a medical product works, clinical research scientist, clinical safety associate. These would be relatively easier opportunities for you to get your foot in the door. Hope this helps. Kunal

I just want to know how to initiate a clinical research? I am not a doctor or nurse or have any desire to become one I just think I may have discovered something and know that it if I am correct in my theory would benefit countless scores of women! Is there any way for me to suggest something be conducted or can I just throw my idea out to social media and get ppl to volunteer that way? It can b done at home no need for any exams or preemptive measures just a commitment to make one simple lifestyle change.

Hi Kelly, Starting a research study is an involved process. At a minimum, you will need IRB approval at the medical center where you plan to conduct research. You will likely also need a medical doctor as a site investigator to ensure there is patient safety and adequate study oversight. You can read more about clinical trials at https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/clinical-trials-guidance-documents . Take care, Kunal

Denise A MarulloCook

Great informative article…I now have a place to begin for Clinical Research Assistant. I have 35 yrs experience as a Psychiatric Nurse ( LVN) and a Certified Nursing Assistant. My licences have since expired, but my background is still relevant. I have done research for doctors for many years. Do I need a certificate for this? Will my medical background help me up the ladder? My age (61) seems to be a deterrent as it’s always part of an application. I am very organized, great at details, love research and earned a BA degree in English; I am excelent at written tasks. I’m also a published author. I really want this career and know I’m perfect for it. I do live in a small town which is dominated by Military bases and affiliations. I live in NC, but it’s far from the more prominent towns where big hospitals and universities prevail. Any suggestions??

palak patel

Hi, I m doing a job as a clinical research coordinator from India’s reputed hospital now i will move in USA so what should i do ? kindly request you to guide me. in India i did my B.pham. so please guide me.

Hi Palak, I’ve just sent you an email. Talk soon!

Paradzai C Tirivashoma

Hi. This article was a true eye opener. I’m a 36 year old Zimbabwean trained physiotherapist living in South Africa. I have tried in vain to obtain registration as a physiotherapist. It is government policy here to exclude recruitment from developing countries. I have developed an interest in clinical research and my prospects look promising once I get my foot in the door. What is the best way available to me to enter into this field?

Paradzai Tirivashoma

Hi Paradzai – Just start implementing one or more strategies I share in this post.

Hi..This article is more informative for students who are looking career in Clinical Research Industry. Thank You!

You are welcome!

Hi Kunal, thank you for such detailed information. I am a dental graduate from India and have recently moved to Canada few months back. I am looking for a medical/dental field research related job while I’m studying for my equilvalency exams. If you could suggest some possibilities?

Dear Kunal, Thank you so much for a great and very helpful article. It is awesome! I have MS degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Saint-Petersburg State University, Russia. I have been in States since 2006 (I am a citizen). I worked as biochemist at university, QC technician and R&D scientist/supervisor for a small biotech company, my last job was R/D scientist in start up pharma company (unfortunately they ran out of money). I am really interested in becoming CRC or CRA. I always was inspired by this field. Should I join a training program first? I am just trying to do my research and find the best way to start my carrier in Clinical Research. Please advice. Thank you again and best regards, Anna

Hema Ramaswamy

Very informative! I need some advice / confirmation if I’m in the right path. I have done MS in (OB/GYN) from India and have close to 10 yrs break due to family commitments. I’m not interested in USMLE. I’m looking to restart my career. My plan is to do a certification in clinical research, followed by internship or volunteering, thereafter do a CRA certification course. Does this sound ok? Any advice would be great. Thanks

Mehar Sulthana

I am a physician from India,with MD anatomy post graduation.At present residing in USA for 4yrs.Due to family circumstances unable to pursue my career here.Now planning to do CRA certification course.Have you heard of fast track clinical research in Arizona.Through google I learnt about their course and contacted them.Is it reliable to join.Any adivce plz?

Dear Kunal, Very informative article. thank you for sharing all this information. I am Ph.D. in Organic chemistry from India and currently working as an Assistant professor of Chemistry at a US University, but interested in making a transition to full-time research jobs. Clinical research seems a very interesting research field, as I am doing computer-aided drug designing research, so transitioning from the preliminary step to the final step of the drug discovery spectrum is fascinating. After relocating to Pittsburgh, I was just searching for volunteer opportunities and came across your blog. Very helpful information. Any personal advice to step foot in with my background will be highly appreciated. Thank you!!

Hi Kunal , My name is Gabriel from Ghana. I have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. I am very interested in becoming a clinical research professional. I read your article recently about CRA and I am very interested . I am currently unemployed. I would be very glad to know you more and to contact you. Kindly give me the opportunity to get in touch with you and learn more from you. I need information on clinical research and I have some pressing issues. I received an admission to enroll in a course, but I am still not very clear about it. Please help me 🙏. Thank you in advance for your kindness. I hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Gabby, What specific questions do you have for me?

Hi Kunal, This is a very thorough article and I tend to revisit it whenever I’m in doubt. However, I needed some more guidance/ expert opinion with respect to my career path ,It’d be great if we could get in touch to discuss this. On a side note, what do you think of Masters programs in Clinical Research ( e.g. Master of applied clinical research St.cloud state university) ? How effective are they (in the US/ worldwide) in terms of clinical research education and for a clinical research job profile (specifically CRA) ?

If you invest your hard earned cash on any program and put in the work, you’ll see the results.

Salunke Ganesh

Hi Kunal I m MBBS dch md in pediatric from Mumbai I m practicing since 2002 I want to make my own CRO how much investment I need where can get complete information in mumbai for making CRO I do ve investors too is it lucrative than making hospital set up of 50 beded in mumbai please guide me Thanking you

Hi, i am a psychology major who just graduated this august 2021. How do I get my foot in the door? this was very helpful but for someone like me what is my best bet?

Wow. This is most comprehensive, yet simplistic and very-well explained. I feel like I am in a unique position, but after reading this I have so much more confidence in going forward with my educational plans and pursuing my dream career. I am a student again, after receiving a long-awaited kidney transplant. I was asymptomatic when diagnosed so for this reason, over time, I became extremely interested in learning how kidney disease and other life-altering diseases are diagnosed and treated. The week following my transplant, I enrolled in a AS degreed program for Clinical Research Professional., which comes with a CRC certificate as well. I am nervous that I won’t start my career with a BS degree, but with so many contacts in healthcare, I am quite confident that between my physicians and The Nat’l Kidney Foundation, which I have been working with and for whom I have been fundraising over the last few years, will help me in the area of experience while volunteering. After years of working in Customer Service and management, I am so excited to finally find a career that is a true fit for me. My question is will I be able to eventually transition into a CRA position after a certain amount of years of experience, or do I absolutely need to go back to school for a BS? I am planning to get into as many Professional Associations as I can and get certified wherever possible as well. Again, I am saving this article and I am looking forward to reading all of your insight on Clinical Research Careers. Sincerely, K. Araya

Getting a bachelors degree in your safest bet to being able to considered for the CRA role. It will open up many opportunities for you. Just look through some of the open opportunities for CRA roles, I bet many require a Bachelors degree. If that is the case, consider getting a Bachelors degree sooner than later.

Nethia Mohana Kumaran

Hi Kunal, I am in Perth, Australia and eagerly looking for either CTA or CTC positions. I am also open to volunteering. Could you please help with any opportunities? Thank you

Thanks for this wonderful Article, I have read and expanded my learning skills, but still find it difficult to get a CRA job. I am open for volunteers. I live in Atlanta Georgia. I will be glad if you can be of help. Thanks

This is so helpful. I call this the ABC of entry level to any profession, Well appreciated

You’re welcome, Chris!

Thank you for this wonderful resource into the field of clinical research. Current MD candidate looking for CRC/CRA roles.

IS THERE ANY AGE LIMIT TO START A CAREERIN CLINICAL RESEARCH?

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I have an undergraduate degree and no research experience -- how to begin now?

I recently earned an undergraduate degree in computer science*. I had no interest in going to grad school, so I focused purely on coursework. I have no research experience.

I am now more open to the idea of further education, and I think life will be more fulfilling if I produce knowledge than if I just apply my knowledge in developing a product.

How can I get started on research in a way that will (1) let me know if it is something I want to spend my life doing, and (2) pave the way to a PhD in CS if I decide it is something I want to do? (I ask this question under the assumption that applying for a PhD is off the table for now because I do not yet know if I even like research, and even if I did know that, I have no research experience to show off and no one to write letters of recommendation that vouch for me as a researcher.)

Get a master's degree? (Tuition and moving out of state are a steep price to pay just to see if I like something. Plus, I doubt my potential to get into a good program due to a lack of CS professors who know me well enough to write a letter of recommendation for me.)

Enroll in a post-baccalaureate program with a non-CS major (e.g. math) just to be an undergraduate again and have professors to do some research with, even if I do not intend to complete another undergraduate degree?

Get an entry level software development job and move from there into R&D?

Get a job as a research assistant for university faculty? (Or volunteer to do it for free?)

Whatever the answer, I need the opportunity to prove myself to someone who can write a letter of recommendation that is taken seriously for PhD admissions. (I originally titled this question "How to get LoRs with no undergraduate research experience" until I realized the scope of my question was much wider than how to get into a PhD program. Getting LoRs is still essential, though -- if I decide I want a PhD, then I need to have a shot at it.)

*Or rather, I will in six months -- this question is from a future perspective. I am also considering the options I have before graduating, but those are for another question. The point of this question is: if none of those options work out, then what other options will I have left?

• graduate-admissions
• career-path
• computer-science
• recommendation-letter
• collaboration

• @MadJack I am looking at undergraduate research opportunities, but six month is a very short time, and there is barely any undergraduate CS research at my school. I want to know what other options I will have. –  Jordan Commented Dec 26, 2015 at 4:21
• 2 Is it expected that you have research experience before applying for a PhD program in CS? It isn't in math (in the US), and many people leave after a master's if they decide research isn't for them. –  Kimball Commented Dec 26, 2015 at 16:20
• @Kimball I don't have a particular source to cite, but I have read hundreds of Q&As on this site and several articles/blogs by academics. They are pretty much unanimous in that (1) I should not apply for a PhD unless I know from experience that I love research, and (2) a successful application requires at least 1 letter of recommendation from a reputable professional researcher that says I would be an excellent researcher. I can't imagine how to do that without doing actual research with a real profesional. (Which doesn't mean publishing a paper; it just means attacking a research problem.) –  Jordan Commented Dec 27, 2015 at 0:17
• We all started that way... –  vonbrand Commented Dec 27, 2015 at 0:24

2 Answers 2

One method you can try is to delay graduation by one year and start working on a research project under the guidance of a faculty member in your CS department. If no such undergrad research program exists in your department, it may be possible to arrange something with individual professors (under the name of senior thesis, independent study, or on-campus employment, etc.) who are interested in taking on a student. Another good option is to find an internship or research assistant position in another university after you graduate. However, even such opportunities usually come with the expectation that you have some research experience to begin with. So a more realistic approach may be to start doing research now in your undergrad institute as a stepping stone while you are still a student, and then apply for an external internship/research assistant position with the help of your research supervisor.

Getting a master's degree is a possibility. If you choose this approach make sure that you are not getting a terminal master's degree that is intended to prepare for professional work in, for example, software development, rather than to prepare for further PhD studies. Finally, getting a job in software development is probably not a good idea, because usually the practical experience you get has little direct bearing on the content of a PhD study. Spending one or two years coding does not help to develop your ability to do theoretical research.

No matter which approach you take, the key to a meaningful internship is to find someone who is 1) well-established in the academia and 2) good with mentoring. Ideally, you want to spend 1-2 years in this person's lab, so that you have enough time to grow as a researcher and demonstrate your ability (and potential) to consistently produce good research work. You may want to talk with some professors who are familiar with you for recommendations, or talk with students in your prospective mentor's lab to get to know the professor's reputation. Remember that it is not enough to simply spend 2 or 3 months in a lab just so that you can pad your resume with some extra fluff.

• 1 very good answer! also applicable to other fields. –  SSimon Commented Dec 26, 2015 at 5:07

How can I get started on research in a way that will (1) let me know if it is something I want to spend my life doing, and (2) pave the way to a PhD in CS if I decide it is something I want to do?

I get that you only recently determined that you may want to do research. However, the fact that you haven't already sought out some research projects with faculty at your school may suggest some degree of a lack of seriousness on your part about really finding out if research is right for you or not. That said ...

You are still enrolled in your undergraduate program, and you have 6 months left until you graduate. So I think a logical first step would be to talk to professors at your school now to see if they have any projects you could work on for the remainder of your time at your undergrad institution. While you may or may not obtain any research breakthroughs during a 6-month time frame, this will be a great way to learn very quickly if research is right for you, and could even help you narrow down your areas of interest. Time is of the essence; don't let the last 6 months of your undergraduate career go to waste!

Looking beyond your undergraduate career, there are a few options to consider. Some of the options that you mentioned in your post don't really make a whole lot of sense to me. As I see it, here are the two main, logical options that you have going forward:

Get a job related to your subject area in a city that has a decent graduate program in the field you are interested in, and enroll into the grad program as a part-time Masters student. If being a part-time student while working full-time doesn't appeal to you, check with faculty to see if they'd be willing to work with you as a non-student. Either way, get involved with those faculty who are doing the types of research that you find interesting.

Skip going into industry and go straight into a full-time Masters program. Don't get caught up into the same cycle you are in now, where you are only focusing on your coursework. Be very proactive with the faculty and try to scope out a project where you can really get exposed to research and what it is all about.

For either of the above options, so long as you do good work, and if you decide that research is what you want to do, then obtaining quality LoRs for admission to a PhD program should be a no-brainer.

The key decision that needs to be made is whether you should go into industry after graduating with your undergrad degree or not. This is a very personal decision, and nobody can make this decision for you.

I did my Masters degree part-time while working full-time. It's not easy, and nobody said it would be, but it was the way forward that made the most sense for me at the time. In my case, I felt like I needed to do some industry work before I did any research to

• acclimate myself to where my subfield was going, and
• figure out how I could plug into that.

Whether to go the part-time or full-time Masters degree route is a very personal decision, and the right path for you depends on your preferences and the particulars of your situation.

In the comments, you wrote:

I am looking at undergraduate research opportunities, but six month is a very short time, and there is barely any undergraduate CS research at my school. I want to know what other options I will have.

Again, I am concerned that you are not quite up to the challenge of really finding out the answers you are seeking; stop looking for excuses and start attacking the problem now .

In the end, I can't stress the following enough:

There is no substitute for being very proactive and highly motivated to find out for yourself if research is really right for you or not.

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No Research Experience for Medical School? (What To Do!)

Applying for med school, you probably already know just how important research experience can be. But on top of an already long list of prereqs and extracurriculars, it’s often difficult to secure. So…

What to do if you have no research experience for medical school?

Don’t panic. If other areas of your application are competitive, then it’s not necessarily a big deal. Med schools admissions often only “prefer” research. They don’t make it an absolute must.

Of course, to be sure whether the schools you plan on applying to see research this way, you’ll need to check with their individual admissions criteria.

And if you’re not in that position, then this is the article for you.

We’ll discuss:

• How to get research opportunities fast
• Why your reason for not having research experience may be important
• If you can actually get into med school without it

As a med student that’s gone through the whole process myself, I understand the anxiety that comes with the question. Hopefully, this article can help show you the types of things you can do to feel more positive.

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

How to get research for medical school fast

Here’s what to do if you’re in a bind and need to hit the ground running.

Head to your pre-med/pre-health advisor immediately

The best place to get started is at your college’s pre-health advising services. They’ll likely have contacts or know of programs local to the area. Reach out to them to make connections on your behalf.

Get volunteer exposure in a lab

If you’re a non-trad applicant or your school doesn’t have a pre-health advisor, hit Google and get a list of research labs in your city/area.

Start going through contacts, ring numbers, and reach out to heads of research teams (or people in other positions) via LinkedIn (yes, it pays to have a LinkedIn account).

Just getting exposure to a lab environment can often be a good substitute for actually doing research.

It’ll show you’re at least familiar!

Search research faculties and do cold outreach

The same goes for colleges and teaching hospitals (even those where you aren’t enrolled).

Start contacting people listed as faculty and explain your circumstances and your willingness to commit as a volunteer. Possibly even consider dropping by in person if you know the specific locations.

If you already have the creds then look for research jobs. If you don’t, then know that you can score entry-level jobs as an assistant via sites like glassdoor.com and indeed.com.

Hunt for city-specific research/shadowing summer programs

Look for dedicated research internships and programs in your city (I detail a lot of them in my shadowing/research guides ).

Most are competitive and require you to apply far in advance, but they can still be useful to know about if you run out of time and consider re-applying for med school again in the future.

Consider virtual/online opportunities

These types of programs, although rare, can be fairly easy to get started with owing to the fact you don’t have to travel anywhere.

Start your search for them on the web now.

What’s the easiest research to get involved with?

It’s probably best to apply for jobs as a research assistant. You can usually land jobs here without any specific credentials or STEM background.

Research jobs/internships in the public health sector are also in high demand.

They’re often just as relevant to an application as dedicated medical research too.

What happens if you still can’t get research experience?

Shoot for as high an MCAT and GPA as you can. Then focus on other extracurriculars. Try and shape them so that you pick up leadership experience, important responsibilities, and some aspect of community involvement.

Engage your passions, get to work and then write the best personal statements of your life.

Why don’t you have research experience?

Although a general browse of Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) data suggests that around 75% of applicants have research experience, your reason for not having any may be legitimate.

If you didn’t have time because you were pursuing some other important extracurricular, then that’s fine.

Adcoms will recognize the passion you placed in other things and hopefully still see you’re capable of medicine.

If you didn’t get any research experience but had the time and never tried, then that’s a different story.

In that case, you better hope the extracurriculars you detail have something special about them (or that you get a seriously impressive letter of recommendation), or try and get some by following the tips above.

Either way, the reason is important. It can make or break your application.

Related : What Counts As Research Experience For Medical School? (Explained)

Can you get into medical school without research experience?

The short answer is yes (even if it does put you at a disadvantage).

As I’ve mentioned before, research is not a prerequisite for most med schools .

If you have amazing extracurriculars and an incredible GPA/MCAT score, that’ll equalize the playing field more. Especially if you consider Adcoms teams allocate points to different aspects of an application.

But you’ll also stand more of a chance if you consider the following things…

Non-research heavy medical schools

Med schools outside of the top 20, or those considered “less competitive”, might look at your lack of research experience more favorably.

Because they’re not as dependent on research for funding, they’re not as demanding of it from their matriculants.

You could also tailor your application to what they do well outside of research (suggesting that you’re “more interested” in primary care, for example).

I go into all this in more detail here:

Related : Research Heavy Med Schools (8 Important Facts)

State schools

Another possible avenue to explore is applying for state schools.

Based on the idea that they “favor in-state applicants”, they might overlook your lack of research credentials.

Your lack of research may be a lot more explainable if you’re applying as a career changer or non-traditional student.

Diversity of experience can do a lot to make up for it.

Related : 9 Best Medical Schools For Nontraditional Students (Explained)

Other disadvantages

And if socioeconomic or minority issues come into play, you might be in a better position (than you would otherwise) too.

It’s just something else to consider!

When you have no research experience: Reddit’s recommendations

One thing that can help you keep from feeling disheartened is reading positive stories.

Luckily, the r/premed community has a ton of them when it comes to students making it into med school with zero research experience.

Take a look at some of these anecdotes for a start.

I didn’t have any research and I got into a top 35 school (for research per U.S. news rankings) – max_923

I got IIs to multiple top 10s with basically no research because it just never interested me (literally what I said in my interviews). It’s possible. – Luvestosplooge

If you have long-term clinical experience and non-clinical volunteering, that should be fine. I have zero research under my belt and was accepted. – sagasheus

If you really don’t want to do research, and you have the funds for it, it wouldn’t hurt to apply to like 5-8 that you’re interested in. I would say your interview chances are pretty low, but as long as you apply to plenty of mid-tier schools you shouldn’t have an issue getting an acceptance somewhere! – steaklover4

I got in without. But — I’m a non trad with a weird trajectory where my lack of research was explainable. – awkwardpennster

Final Thoughts

You definitely shouldn’t worry if you have no research experience for medical school. Due to your circumstances, it can be understandable. And if you’re strong in other areas of your application it’s often less of an issue.

Bear in mind too that some candidates have a ton of research experience but might be horrible at writing about it (see: How To Write About Research For Medical School (Important Tips!) ) – that could count in your favor!

But if you are still concerned, don’t panic either. Follow the advice above to start getting involved as soon as you can.

Born and raised in the UK, Will went into medicine late (31) after a career in journalism. He’s into football (soccer), learned Spanish after 5 years in Spain, and has had his work published all over the web. Read more .

Five Ways to Gain Experience Without Shadowing

New section.

Gaining experience is an important part of the medical school application process. But to be considered a competitive applicant, do you really need to shadow a physician?

Gaining clinical experience is an important part of the medical school application. But to be a competitive medical school applicant, some have questioned if it’s necessary to shadow a doctor. It’s true that shadowing is great experience, as it exposes you to patient care in a clinical setting and gives you an idea of the day-to-day demands of a medical career. But as a pre-med student, you’re often balancing a rigorous academic schedule, along with extracurricular and personal responsibilities, so shadowing may not be a possibility.

When you apply to medical school, admissions committees look to see that your application conveys evidence of empathy, service orientation, ethical responsibility to self and others, an awareness of what a career as a practicing physician entails, as well as other characteristics and strengths. While shadowing may offer you exposure to the patient care environment, it’s not the only way to demonstrate these skills and attributes.

In a recent survey of medical school admissions officers conducted by the AAMC, 87% of survey respondents indicated that they accept an alternate activity instead of clinical shadowing.

So how else can you gain clinical experience? Here are five alternatives cited by admissions officers as other ways medical school applicants have gained clinical exposure and demonstrated the necessary skills sought in future doctors.

1. Hospice Volunteer

In a recent focus group conducted by the AAMC, medical students cited dealing with the death of a patient as a stressful time in their training. Spending time as a hospice volunteer may help you better understand the emotional toll of caring for a dying patient, and see first-hand how care providers interact with patients and their families. As an added benefit, hospices are usually staffed with counselors who can help you process your experiences as you serve. The Hospice Foundation of America can assist you with locating a facility in your area.

2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Becoming a CNA is a great way to earn additional income and get hands-on practice while spending time in a clinical environment. CNA training programs vary in length, from four to sixteen weeks, and are offered by local community colleges, vocational schools, and the Red Cross. One benefit of working as a CNA is the flexible hours, so you may be able to work an evening or weekend shift that does not conflict with your classes or other activities.

3. Volunteer EMT

Serving as a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) is a great way to gain hands-on experience as an entry-level health care provider. Volunteer EMTs provide a needed service in their communities and are exposed to a variety of medical conditions. As an aspiring physician, you’ll become knowledgeable about the health care needs in your community and will gain exposure to the delivery of health care in various environments. Read an interview with two medical students about their experiences as EMTs and how it prepared them for medical school.

4. Hospital Scribe

A hospital scribe is usually a paid position found in the emergency department and assists the on-call physician with gathering information and making documentation. Working as a scribe is a unique opportunity to partner with a provider in the delivery of care and demonstrates to admissions officers that you’re skilled in oral and written communication. It also demonstrates that you can be a reliable and dependable member of a health care team. Read what a medical student shared about his experiences and what he learned as a medical scribe.

5. Caretaker

Serving as a caretaker for an ill family member can provide first-hand experience with the types of challenges patients can face when dealing with chronic illness, such as the costs of obtaining medication, the impacts of nutrition on patient health, and the difficulties of scheduling and attending medical appointments. Some students have developed empathy as they supported family members in this way, and have shared this experience on their application or personal statement.

No matter how you choose to gain clinical experience, it’s important to remember quality is more important than quantity. Admissions officers want you to not only show depth of experience and a longitudinal commitment to the work you choose, but also to be able to articulate how your medical exposure has informed your motivation for a career in medicine.  You can learn more about each school’s policies regarding clinical experiences in the  Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) . It’s also a good idea to contact any medical school that you’re interested in to ensure that your planned activity meets their admission criteria.

• @AAMCpremed

Translating Pre-Medical Experiences into Clinical Skills

Michael Foster | May 3, 2023

Your time before medical school is golden. It is a unique time to explore where your passions lie (both within and beyond medicine) and lay a strong foundation of the inter- and intrapersonal skills needed for you to be the best physician you can be. The best advice is simple: challenge yourself, be honest, and have fun! […]

The AAMC offers trusted resources and services to help you navigate the journey from premed to residency and beyond.

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Clinical research is a branch of healthcare science that determines the safety and effectiveness (efficacy) of medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease.

How did you get your first experience in clinical research?

Hi, I am a recent graduate with a BS in Biology and am looking into the clinical research field. Do i need to take a program to gain experience in the field before i ever get a job? Ive been considering Clinical Research Fastrack and CCRPS programs. Or is there some other way to get a job as a clinical research coordinator?

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What Every Premed Should Know About Undergraduate Research

Investigate the below to gain a fundamental understanding of undergraduate research and some of its intricacies. Plus, gain clarity on the extent to which research should be a part of your journey into medicine.

Having research experience on your medical school application is an excellent way to make a contribution to medicine while also gaining extracurricular hours. Perhaps you’ve watched your fellow pre-meds scramble to find labs to work in and hustle to get publications to add to their CVs. Maybe you’ve stressed over sending cold emails to a few Principle Investigators yourself. Conducting research as an undergrad is a wonderful thing, but it’s not everything. Investigate the below to gain a fundamental understanding of undergraduate research and some of its intricacies. Plus, gain clarity on the extent to which research should be a part of your journey into medicine.

What Is Undergraduate Research?

According to the Council on Undergraduate Research, undergraduate research is “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.” Through this research, students can enrich and advance society while also learning a tremendous amount of knowledge in their field. There is a crucial need to research in the field of medicine.

What Are The Advantages to Doing Research as an Undergraduate?

Doing research as a pre-med student will most certainly benefit your medical school application. It demonstrates your ability to work on a team and ask important scientific questions while exposing you to methods, protocols, analysis, and the process of scientific inquiry. Whether you are running PCR in a wet lab or doing data entry in a clinical research department, your roles can vary greatly depending on your skills and interests. Research is defined as the mechanism by which medical knowledge is advanced.

Getting involved in it has the potential to amplify your passion for medicine while also finding solutions to some of the biggest medical problems, and you get all of that for just participating. Even better, if you are in the right lab, at the right time, and with the right mentors, you can get a publication out of it too. All of these things will help your application stand out. However, the research comes with a price.

How Do You Get Research Experience Without Research Experience?

How can I get into a lab when the hiring managers prefer students with research experience (or even require it), and I don’t have any research experience yet? Where can I get my first experience from?

Trust me, you are not alone. It’s natural to have a lot of questions about how to land your first research position. Here’s are a few ways how to land a research position.

Three Ways to Be a Competitive Applicant to a Research Lab Despite No Previous Experience:

•   Meet with the Principle Investigator – Set up a meeting with the PI well before you’d like to start working there to discuss their work and your interest in it (you can do this with or without mentioning your upcoming search for a research position – planting the seed of your enthusiasm and dedication will go a long way when it comes time to formally express your interest in working with them).
• Customize your CV – Amplify your skills most relevant to each particular position. Applying to a clinical research lab with a lot of patient-facing work? Make sure that your interpersonal skills are standing out on your CV (community engagement, peer support roles like tutoring, etc.). Applying to a wet lab that requires a lot of technical skills?
• Showcase Your Related Accomplishments – Highlight the excellent work you did in the Chemistry Lab as you executed each experiment and report diligence. Leverage the connections you made with professors, mentors, and career center advisors. You most likely won’t need a letter of recommendation to apply to work in a lab. This is an application process dominated by cold emails and hopefully warmer conversations. However, if a professor or mentor can send a short email to a PI on your behalf, that would be a great supplement to your CV, especially if that professor or mentor has any connections to the labs/research that you are interested in.

Luckily there are tons of resources out there to help you with all of these tips and more. Check out Dr. Mehta’s article titled, “ Finding an Undergraduate Research Lab as a Pre-Med Student” for more information.

Factors To Consider Once You Land Your Undergraduate Research Position

Once you find a lab and start working, there is a lot to balance. You could be dedicating upwards of ten hours a week to lab work spread out across the week and the weekend. This will be a test of time management and organization for sure.

You may also realize that not all labs or departments have the infrastructure to support undergraduate students. From an administrative standpoint, having short-term research assistants can often be more disruptive than productive to the team, although this varies depending on the department/lab. This variability demonstrates the fact that the research experience a student receives is largely dependent on the team they are working with, not the research being conducted. This is the double-edged sword of undergraduate research.

You can complete an amazing research project, but if you leave that lab without having made any meaningful connections or valuable personal discoveries, you may not have gained much other than a bullet point on your CV. This levels the playing field for all students who didn’t get into the big-name labs doing the research that gets published in the biggest journals. At the end of the day, it’s all about the connections you made with your lab mates and mentors and the lessons that you learned about yourself, life, and medicine.

When it comes time to describe your activities that will go on your medical school application, you may not remember the exact time course of your PCR or the specific strain of mouse that you used. Yet, you will remember the day that the PhD student in the lab taught you a cool trick to help you analyze samples. You’ll recall the day that your PI sat with you and told you about all of their failed experiments to help you feel better about yours. Those are the stories that will resonate with medical school admissions committees during interviews.

Do You Need Research Experience to Get Into Medical School?

No, but it sure helps. Research experience is often seen by pre-med students and as a means to an end – that end being an acceptance to medical school. However, the best way to benefit from your research is to look at it as a means to a beginning. Use research to dive deeper into your passion for science and medicine and as a way to discover new reasons to choose the path of medicine you are passionate about

As you consider whether or not a traditional research experience is of interest to you, remember that it is not technically required in order to get accepted into medical school. If you can create an experience that provides the same outcomes, such as clarity in your pursuit of medicine and exposure to scientific inquiry, then I say go for it!

Don’t be afraid to create your own research project and bring in the mentors that you most connect with. By no means is there one way to get to medical school. With each application cycle, students are becoming more creative in their approach. Trust your gut, remember your “why medicine?”, and seek the advice of a great mentor.

The physician advisors at MedSchoolCoach have helped guide thousands of students down the right research path for them. Look them up if you need help with strategic planning for your medical school application to make your research extracurriculars stand out!

Have more questions about getting into med school or becoming a doctor ? MedSchoolCoach has a team of admissions advisors who’ve all served on admissions committees. They are available to help you better your med school application and boost your chances of getting into medical school . Look them up!

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• Is M.D. Better Than D.O.?

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How to Get into Clinical Research

If you want to get into the clinical research, there are a few steps you will have to go through. In this article, we'll be taking you through the steps and some common questions.

What does Clinical Research entail?

Clinical research entails testing medicines or products for safety and effectiveness. It involves working with patients during extended experiments to record and quantify the effect that different medicines produce. It is a highly regulated field due to the use of human subjects.

Salary earned ranges from $39,000 to $87,000. However, the more one acquires certifications and qualifications, the more opportunities you have. That means you can choose the best position and salary for you.

The first step is to get an education.

Earning a bachelor's degree in a life science or health related discipline by taking specific courses like medicine, pharmacology, biology, molecular biology, genetics, anatomy, biotechnology, nursing, physiology, chemistry, or bioengineering will equip you with the necessary and relevant medical knowledge, science, and technicalities to qualify you into practicing as a clinical research.

Taking courses that are relevant to the clinical research that will give you the necessary experience and knowledge that are relevant to clinical research conducts. Applying for the courses offered at your university or from professional organizations like Certified Clinical Research Professionals (CCRPS) and Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) are a great place to start. These courses will include topics such as study designs, Good Clinical Practices (GCP) , research ethics, drug development cycle, regulatory affairs and U.S as well as international requirements.

You can get a certification from a reputable organization, such as CCRPS , ACRPS, and Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA), as long as you have a Bachelor's design and at least one year of experience in clinical research. This certification allows you gain more access into the clinical research industry.

When you are taking your courses, make sure you study the ICH GCP guidelines and ethics thoroughly. Training in the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Good Clinical Practices (GCP) ethics and guidelines improves your chances of getting hired greatly.

Remember to keep proper documented records of your certifications as well as your education. This will save you a lot of time and stress.

The next step is to gather experience.

The following are ways you can gather experience;

Volunteer - Look for volunteering opportunities around your area and volunteer to help with the projects that will be carried out in the clinical research industry. This helps you get closer to the professionals as well as what to expect at the job. You might be chanced to start out as a clerical worker or a data entry staff, but not to worry, you'll be able to work your way up the ladder. Once you are in the field, you can discuss the possibility of applying for a position with the place you are working at in the future. Employers will be more likely to consider you when there is someone in the company vouching for you.

You can volunteer at clinical research professionals organizations related to the clinical research field or medical field, medical centers or hospitals, International Review Boards (IRB) or Research Ethics Committees.

Research Projects - Most entry level jobs require around two years of experience. Taking up clinical research monitoring projects for a few years can really help you get the experience you need. You can also conduct research studies with human subjects during your pursuit of a bachelor's degree or graduate degree.

Internships - Seek out an internship with medical firms, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies while you're still in college. You may or may not get paid as an intern but it's nothing compared to the experience you'll gain that will be needed for your venture into clinical research.

Finally, the last step is to apply for entry-level positions.

This is the last step that will get you right into the world of clinical research. After all your education and gathered experience, you cam apply for an entry-level position as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) or a Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA). Both positions only require around two years of experience and they are the ones that you can qualify for. Applying for high-level positions you don’t qualify for yet will only waste your time.

Generally, you should apply for positions at smaller firms. It's okay to aim for positions at the biggest pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations (CROs) , but as a newcomer, the competition may just be too high. So, why not just apply for positions at smaller firms and work your way to the top?

Take courses from CCRPS and learn more on how to become a clinical research professional.

Discover more from Clinical Research Training | Certified Clinical Research Professionals Course

Clinical Research vs Clinical Trial

Joining the ich-gcp clinical research program.

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Rooftop where gunman shot at Trump was identified as a security vulnerability before rally: sources

The rooftop where a gunman shot at former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally was identified by the Secret Service as a potential vulnerability in the days before the event, two sources familiar with the agency’s operations told NBC News.

The building, owned by a glass research company, is adjacent to the Butler Farm Show, an outdoor venue in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service was aware of the risks associated with it, the sources said.

“Someone should have been on the roof or securing the building so no one could get on the roof,” said one of the sources, a former senior Secret Service agent who was familiar with the planning. 

Understanding how the gunman got onto the roof — despite those concerns — is a central question for investigators scrutinizing how a lone attacker managed to shoot at Trump during Saturday’s campaign event.

The Secret Service worked with local law enforcement to maintain event security, including sniper teams poised on rooftops to identify and eliminate threats, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. But no officers were posted on the building used by the would-be assassin, outside the event’s security perimeter but only about 148 yards from the stage — within range of a semiautomatic rifle like the one the gunman was carrying.

The Secret Service had designated that rooftop as being under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement, a common practice in securing outdoor rallies, Guglielmi said.Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said his office maintains an Emergency Services Unit team, which deployed four sniper teams and four “quick response teams” at the rally. But he said the Secret Service agents were in charge of security outside the venue. 

“They had meetings in the week prior. The Secret Service ran the show. They were the ones who designated who did what,” Goldinger said. “In the command hierarchy, they were top, they were No. 1.”

Goldinger said the commander of the Emergency Services Unit told him it was not responsible for securing areas outside the venue. “To me, the whole thing is under the jurisdiction of the Secret Service. And they will delineate from there,” he said.

The former senior Secret Service agent also said that even if local law enforcement “did drop the ball,” it’s still the agency’s responsibility “to ensure that they are following through either beforehand or in the moment.”

“Just because it is outside of the perimeter, it doesn’t take it out of play for a vulnerability, and you’ve got to mitigate it in some fashion,” the source added.

A volley of shots rang out minutes into Trump’s speech. He reached for his right ear — he said later it was pierced by a bullet — then dropped to the ground as Secret Service agents rushed to shield him. Trump emerged with blood on his ear and his face. One attendee was killed , and two others were injured.Witnesses listening to Trump’s speech from outside the event’s security perimeter recalled pointing out the gunman to law enforcement a couple of minutes before the shooting began. After the gunfire started, Secret Service personnel shot and killed the 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks .

The clamor over the Secret Service’s biggest failure since the shooting of President Ronald Reagan in 1981 is coming from both political parties, from former agents and from security experts.

“My question is: How did he get onto that roof undetected?” said Anthony Cangelosi, a former Secret Service agent who worked on protective details for presidential candidates, including John Kerry in 2004.

The Secret Service’s work on campaign events like Saturday’s begins with advance planning, setting up a security perimeter and positioning teams on the ground and on rooftops — often in partnership with local law enforcement. The ground deployments include a counterassault team, and the rooftop personnel include counter-sniper teams.

Guglielmi, the Secret Service spokesman, said the agency had two of its counterassault agents at the event and filled out the rest of the platoon with at least six officers from Butler County tactical units. The Secret Service also deployed two counter-sniper teams. Two other security units needed for the event were staffed by local law enforcement agencies, Guglielmi said. Those details were first reported by The Washington Post.Investigators will want to examine the Secret Service’s site security plan for the rally, said Cangelosi, the former Secret Service agent. He expects they’ll discover one of two things: Either officials failed to make an effective plan for keeping potential shooters off the building Crooks fired from, or officers on the ground failed to execute the plan.

“I don’t like making any assumptions, but it does look like some mistakes were made, that this was preventable,” said Cangelosi, now a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

Although it’s common to task local law enforcement agencies with patrolling outside an event’s security perimeter, Cangelosi said, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all vulnerabilities are covered rests with the Secret Service.

If officials had placed an officer on the building where the gunman fired from, Cangelosi said, chances are he “wouldn’t even attempt what he attempted.”

“You don’t surrender the discretion of what’s supposed to be done to the local police,” he said. “In other words, you guys have the outer perimeter, but you would want to say, ‘We need an officer on that roof.’ Not ‘that’s your responsibility; do what you see fit.’”

Jim Cavanaugh, a retired special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who has worked on Secret Service details, told NBC News that while the Secret Service did a good job taking out the gunman after shots began, the failure to post officers on the building he scaled was “a tremendous lapse.”

“The only way to stop that is you have a lot of people, you get there first, and you command the high ground,” Cavanaugh said. “This is basic, and the Secret Service has done it for years successfully, so I’m really surprised that they did not have that high ground covered.”

The questions extended to Congress, where members demanded answers from the Secret Service and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security.“This raises serious concerns regarding how a shooter was able to access a rooftop within range and direct line of sight of where President Trump was speaking,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Green asked Mayorkas to provide documentation relating to the event’s security plan, the screening of attendees and the level of resources provided to Trump’s Secret Service detail. A committee spokesperson told NBC News that Republican members would hold a briefing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday “to voice their concerns and ask pressing questions.”

Another lawmaker, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., wrote Cheatle asking who approved the security plan, whether a proper threat assessment was conducted, whether attendees raised alarms and whether there were failures in following protocols that allowed the attack to happen.

“I call on all those responsible for the planning, approving, and executing of this failed security plan to be held accountable and to testify before Congress immediately,” Gallego wrote in a letter to Cheatle .

Robert McDonald, a former Secret Service agent who ran protection for Joe Biden when he was vice president, told NBC News that he believes the assassination attempt will prompt soul-searching and procedural changes at the agency.

“The Secret Service is going to need to ask some hard questions of itself here and be prepared to stand up and represent why, what happened,” McDonald said.

Cangelosi, the former Secret Service agent, said investigators are also likely to ask when agents identified Crooks as a potential threat, how they reacted and whether it’s possible they could have taken him down before he fired at Trump.Secret Service snipers are trained to make rapid decisions, he said. But it’s possible that if they noticed Crooks on the roof but couldn’t tell whether he had a rifle, agents might have waited to fire on him.

“If the sniper can’t tell whether he has a gun, he or she is not going to take the shot,” Cangelosi said. “Because God forbid it’s a child who’s just excited to see a political candidate, right? So you want to make sure that there’s actually a threat.”

If there was uncertainty, Cangelosi said, it’s possible the sniper team would have dispatched officers to investigate and confirm. But investigating a potential threat can take minutes, he said, while a gunman with a semiautomatic rifle can fire several shots in a matter of seconds.

That’s why, Cangelosi said, the best defense would have been to plan ahead to keep the shooter off the roof in the first place.

“Who wants to be in that position?” he said of the snipers protecting Trump on Saturday. “You’ve got to make a split-second call. And imagine if you’re wrong.”

Sarah Fitzpatrick is a senior investigative producer and story editor for NBC News. She previously worked for CBS News and "60 Minutes." 

Julia Ainsley is the homeland security correspondent for NBC News and covers the Department of Homeland Security for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Mike Hixenbaugh is a senior investigative reporter for NBC News, based in Maryland, and author of "They Came for the Schools."

Andrea Mitchell is chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News.

Jon Schuppe is an enterprise reporter for NBC News, based in New York.

Suspect came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why

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Gabriella Borter is a reporter on the U.S. National Affairs team, covering cultural and political issues as well as breaking news. She has won two Front Page Awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York - in 2020 for her beat reporting on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 for her spot story on the firing of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The latter was also a Deadline Club Awards finalist. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and joined Reuters in 2017.

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Taiwan curtailed its annual Han Kuang war games on Tuesday as Typhoon Gaemi barrelled towards the island, and is expected to bring strong winds and torrential rain.

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How to get into clinical research

• Thread starter mojetter
• Start date Sep 1, 2015

Junior Member

• Sep 1, 2015

OldPsychDoc

Senior curmudgeon.

Monkey House

Senior member.

• Sep 2, 2015

Writing a review paper. If you already know the material, writing it up is not too bad. If you can publish it and show industry that you are the expert in that area - it will at least get you taken seriously.  

OldPsychDoc said: Study horticulture and move to Colorado? Click to expand...

smalltownpsych

Psychologist.

Maybe you should call the thread "how to become a hired gun for the pharmaceutical companies". Actually, the psychiatrists that I have seen give talks about various medications seemed knowledgeable and generally ethical, but I don't know if they are really involved in the research that these companies are conducting. They seem to usuaully report the drug companies research and then provide anecdotes of clinical experiences and answer clinical questions from the audience. I could be wrong, but don't you have to be a MD/PhD and make that your career to really be involved in the clinical trials?  

michaelrack

All in at the wrong time.

smalltownpsych said: I could be wrong, but don't you have to be a MD/PhD and make that your career to really be involved in the clinical trials? Click to expand...

michaelrack said: To work for the pharm company that designs the trial, probably. To be a doc in the community that carries out the trials, NO. The pharm company needs docs in the community (or in academia) to enroll patients in clinical trials (multi-site) and carry them out. The doc follows a protocol and typically performs various rating scales (PANNS, CGI, HAM-D, etc), under the remote supervision of the pharm company. There is big $ to be made from doing clinical trials, in the community. Click to expand...

Former jolly good fellow

I've seen some psychiatrists do a research fellowship. Other than this be in a residency that's actively doing pharm research. Please do not let the unethical actions of a few taint the view of all research psychiatrists. The fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of academic psychiatrists are making less money than they would had they done private practice. I'm currently involved in a pharm-research study and I'm not going to make 1 penny on it for myself. All of the money is being scooped up and taken by the department. I have no problem with a hard working researcher getting some of that money cause heck I'm getting NOTHING and I am doing work on it on top of my regular full-time job that pays half of what I would've made in private practice. Does that sound fair? Where I'm at we have staff members actively getting doctors into research. I was in a residency where there was very little research being done and I asked everywhere and I wasn't getting any cause the attendings weren't doing any nor was any effort by the department being done to get research done. My advice-go to a residency where research is going on and then see if you can get involved in it. I've seen some programs do research but the people doing the work didn't extend their hand to get students and residents involved. Some programs will go out of their way to get students and residents involved.  

Full Member

whopper said: I've seen some psychiatrists do a research fellowship. Other than this be in a residency that's actively doing pharm research. Please do not let the unethical actions of a few taint the view of all research psychiatrists. The fact of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of academic psychiatrists are making less money than they would had they done private practice. I'm currently involved in a pharm-research study and I'm not going to make 1 penny on it for myself. All of the money is being scooped up and taken by the department. I have no problem with a hard working researcher getting some of that money cause heck I'm getting NOTHING and I am doing work on it on top of my regular full-time job that pays half of what I would've made in private practice. Does that sound fair? Where I'm at we have staff members actively getting doctors into research. I was in a residency where there was very little research being done and I asked everywhere and I wasn't getting any cause the attendings weren't doing any nor was any effort by the department being done to get research done. My advice-go to a residency where research is going on and then see if you can get involved in it. I've seen some programs do research but the people doing the work didn't extend their hand to get students and residents involved. Some programs will go out of their way to get students and residents involved. Click to expand...

Blitz2006 said: and if your residency program isn't a research heavy weight like Columbia or McLean, how do I go about it after residency? Click to expand...

Shikima said: Continue with the development of a close relationship with your faculty and carry that momentum into you getting your CPI and setting up your own. Click to expand...

Blitz2006 said: Thanks. I'm assuming joining the faculty at a big name place like Columbia is also a ticket into clinical trials. And for me to join a place like this as staff, do I just have to publish like mad in residency? Or are there are factors? One of the major reasons I chose psych is for psychopharm/clinical trial involvement.... Click to expand...

Shikima said: Pedigree doesn't get you into clinical trials. Experience and connections create opportunities. Click to expand...

Experience in conducting clinical trials as a Sub-I and working towards getting your PI. Collaborating with clinical trial coordinators to be sure you have the necessary resources to complete the study requirements. Lately the trials I've seen want expensive and rare neuroimaging such as PET.  

Shikima said: Experience in conducting clinical trials as a Sub-I and working towards getting your PI. . Click to expand...

michaelrack said: exactly, this is how to do it. Click to expand...

• Sep 3, 2015

I don't have an easy answer for this. Might I recommend that you join an academic institution which has clinical trials on-going to learn and to work as a Sub-I?  

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