Clinical Research Associates

The CRA:

• Performs and coordinates all aspects of the clinical monitoring and site management process.
• Conducts remote or on-site visits to assess protocol and regulatory compliance and manages required documentation..
• Acts as a site processes specialist, ensuring that the trial is conducted in accordance with the approved protocol, ICH-GCP guidelines, applicable regulations and SOPs to guarantee subjects rights, well-being and data reliability.
• Ensures audit readiness.
• Develops collaborative relationships with investigational sites.
• Detailed tasks and responsibilities assigned to role are outlined in the task matrix.

A day in the Life:

• Monitors investigator sites with a risk-based monitoring approach applies root cause analysis (RCA), critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify site processes failure and corrective/preventive actions to bring the site into compliance and decrease risks.
• Ensures data accuracy through SDR, SDV and CRF review as applicable through on-site and remote monitoring activities.
• Assess investigational product through physical inventory and records review.
• Documents observations in reports and letters in a timely manner using approved business writing standards.
• Brings up observed deficiencies and issues to clinical management expeditiously and follow all issues through to resolution.
• May need to maintain regular contact between monitoring visits with investigative sites to confirm that the protocol is being followed, that previously identified issues are being resolved and that the data is being recorded in a timely manner.
• Conducts monitoring tasks in accordance with the approved monitoring plan.
• Participates in the investigator payment process.
• Ensures a shared responsibility with other project team members on issues/findings resolution.
• Investigates and follows-up on findings as applicable
• Provides trial status tracking and progress update reports to the Clinical Team Manager (CTM) as required.
• Ensures study systems are updated per agreed study conventions (e.g. Clinical Trial Management System, CTMS).
• Performs QC check of reports generated from CTMS system where required.
• Participates in investigator meetings as necessary.
• Identifies potential investigators in collaboration with the client company to ensure the acceptability of qualified investigative sites. Initiates clinical trial sites according to the relevant procedures to ensure compliance with the protocol and regulatory and ICH GCP obligations, making recommendations where warranted. Ensures trial close out and retrieval of trial materials.
• Ensures that required essential documents are complete and in place, according to ICH-GCP and applicable regulations. Conducts on-site file reviews as per project specifications.
• Gives to the project team by assisting in preparation of project publications/tools and sharing ideas/suggestions with team members. Performs additional study tasks as assigned by CTM (e.g. trip report review, newsletter creation, lead CRA team calls etc).
• Facilitates effective communication between investigative sites, the client company and the PPD project team through written, oral and/or electronic contacts.
• Responds to company, client and applicable regulatory requirements/audits/inspections.
• Maintains & completes administrative tasks such as expense reports and timesheets in a timely manner.
• Gives to other project work and initiatives for process improvement, as required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences related field or a Registered Nursing certification or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification.
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 2+ years as a clinical research monitor).
• Valid driver’s license
• Full Right to work in Germany
• Fluency in English and German language to at least C1 level (note that the interview will be held in German).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Effective clinical monitoring skills
• Demonstrated understanding of medical/therapeutic area knowledge and medical terminology
• Excellent understanding and demonstrated application of ICH GCPs, applicable regulations and procedural documents
• Well-developed critical thinking skills, including but not limited to: critical attitude, in-depth investigation for appropriate root cause analysis and decision-making
• Ability to handles Risk Based Monitoring concepts and processes
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with medical personnel
• Ability to maintain customer focus through the utilization of good listening skills, attention to detail and the ability to perceive customers’ underlying issues
• Effective social skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable in a wide range of scenarios
• Ability to work in a team or independently as required
• Good computer skills: proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to learn appropriate software
• Good presentation skills