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I started in clinical research as an assistant about 10 years ago. At that time, I had a strong medical background having worked as front office staff, nursing assistant, medical tech, and HUC positions but did not have a nursing degree. However, despite this, I knew that clinical research was finally the career that I felt comfortable with and loved. I worked hard along with the research nurses, learning all I could about research and coordinating. The company I worked for at the time, eventually allowed me to start coordinating some studies as they had a shortage of coordinators and knew that I did the job well. This same company eventually went out of business and I returned to the hospital that I previously worked at. I worked as a research assistant and coordinator there until I gathered enough experience and was able to sit for the ACRP CCRC Certification Exam. The hospital I worked for was very supportive of me and helped me through the certification process as they knew that the one coordinator they currently had would be leaving soon. As soon as I had my CCRC certification, I was given a coordinator position and a substantial pay raise at the hospital. My ACRP certification served as a huge stepping stone for my career in research. I then worked for 8 years at the oncology clinic at our hospital and became a very respected trial coordinator with the staff and MDs. I was never made to feel that I was inferior or unable to work as a coordinator and I attribute this to my certification.
After many years living in in Florida, I recently moved to California. My job search brought me to multiple research facilities in the area until I was approached by an oncology clinic that had a need for research staff. It turned out that they had a long time research nurse that had accepted a position with another facility and was moving from the area. The hospital job posting required that the job be filled by a registered nurse. However, finding a nurse that had research experience in our rural community proved to be very difficult. After reviewing my CV and themselves conducting research for a long time, the cancer center director and lead oncologist were impressed with my experience and knew that my certification qualified me for the coordinator position. They arranged through human resources for the position to be changed along with some modifications from a nursing position to a certified coordinator position. I now work alongside our oncologists, chemo nurses and pharmacist to coordinate oncology trials at our cancer center. I am continually told how much they appreciate me being in this position and what a good job I do.
I definitely feel that I wouldn’t have the great research career that I have without my CCRC certification. I can’t say enough about the opportunities that have been given to me because of this. I attribute my very rewarding career to my ACRP certification and am very grateful!
After many years living in in Florida, I recently moved to California. My job search brought me to multiple research facilities in the area until I was approached by an oncology clinic that had a need for research staff. It turned out that they had a long time research nurse that had accepted a position with another facility and was moving from the area. The hospital job posting required that the job be filled by a registered nurse. However, finding a nurse that had research experience in our rural community proved to be very difficult. After reviewing my CV and themselves conducting research for a long time, the cancer center director and lead oncologist were impressed with my experience and knew that my certification qualified me for the coordinator position. They arranged through human resources for the position to be changed along with some modifications from a nursing position to a certified coordinator position. I now work alongside our oncologists, chemo nurses and pharmacist to coordinate oncology trials at our cancer center. I am continually told how much they appreciate me being in this position and what a good job I do.
I definitely feel that I wouldn’t have the great research career that I have without my CCRC certification. I can’t say enough about the opportunities that have been given to me because of this. I attribute my very rewarding career to my ACRP certification and am very grateful!
