What Does a Medpace Clinical Research Associate Do?

Medpace is a global clinical research organization that provides comprehensive clinical development services to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. They specialize in providing clinical trial management, regulatory affairs, data management, and other services to help bring new treatments to market.

A Clinical Research Associate at Medpace is responsible for managing clinical trials from start to finish. This includes developing study protocols, recruiting and training study staff, monitoring study sites, and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. The Clinical Research Associate is also responsible for collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and presenting results to the client.

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Job Duties

A Medpace Clinical Research Associate typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Monitor clinical trials in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and applicable regulations
• Ensure that all study-related activities are conducted according to the protocol, SOPs, ICH/GCP guidelines, and local regulations
• Perform site selection, initiation, monitoring, and closeout visits for assigned studies
• Prepare and submit visit reports within specified timelines
• Review source documents for accuracy and completeness
• Track regulatory documents and ensure timely submission of required documents
• Assist in the development of project plans and budgets
• Provide guidance and training to sites on protocol requirements and GCP compliance
• Maintain effective communication with internal teams and external vendors
• Monitor data entry into electronic databases and review data listings for accuracy
• Participate in investigator meetings as needed
• Develop and maintain relationships with investigative sites

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Salary

The salary of a Clinical Research Associate at Medpace is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s experience and qualifications, the complexity of the job, the geographic location of the position, and the company’s budget. Additionally, the company may take into consideration the cost of living in the area, the availability of similar positions in the area, and the overall market demand for the position.

• Median Annual Salary: $82,926 ($39.87/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $112,270 ($53.98/hour)

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Job Requirements

To be hired as a Clinical Research Associate at Medpace, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field, such as biology, chemistry, or a related field. Previous experience in clinical research is preferred, but not required. Additionally, applicants must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is also preferred, but not required. Finally, applicants must be able to travel up to 25% of the time, as some clinical research sites may be located outside of the local area.

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Skills

Medpace Clinical Research Associate employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Site Initiation Visits (SIVs): SIVs are the first time a clinical research associate visits a research site to assess its suitability for clinical trials. This is an important part of the job, as it ensures the site meets the standards of the clinical research industry. Clinical research associates must be able to assess a site’s facilities, staff and resources to determine if it’s a good fit for clinical trials.

Informed Consent: Informed consent is the process by which a research participant is informed about the details of a study, including the potential risks and benefits of participating. Clinical research associates must be able to explain study details to participants in a way that is clear and easy to understand. This requires clinical research associates to have a thorough understanding of the study protocol and procedures.

IRB: An associate working in a clinical research company’s IRB (Institutional Review Board) is responsible for ensuring that the company follows all regulations and laws regarding the treatment of human subjects. This position requires a thorough understanding of the regulations and laws, as well as the ability to interpret and apply them to the company’s research.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP): GCP is a set of standards that clinical research associates must follow to ensure the integrity of a study. These standards include ethical treatment of patients, accurate data collection and reporting and compliance with all regulations. Clinical research associates must be familiar with GCP to ensure the quality of the data they collect and the safety of the patients involved in the study.

Ethics Committee Approval Process: Clinical research associates must follow ethical guidelines when conducting research. This includes ensuring the safety of the participants and ensuring the research follows the guidelines set by the committee. Clinical research associates must also follow ethical guidelines when recording data and maintaining confidentiality.

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Work Environment

Medpace Clinical Research Associates (CRA) typically work in an office setting, but may also travel to clinical sites to monitor clinical trials. CRA’s typically work 40 hours per week, but may be required to work additional hours to meet deadlines or to complete tasks. CRA’s may also be required to travel to clinical sites to monitor clinical trials, which may require overnight stays. CRA’s must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. They must also be able to work independently and be able to handle stressful situations.

Medpace Clinical Research Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Medpace Clinical Research Associate employees work.

Data Management

Data management is becoming increasingly important in the clinical research field. Medpace Clinical Research Associates must be able to manage and analyze large amounts of data from multiple sources, including patient records, laboratory results, and medical images. They must also be able to interpret this data accurately and efficiently.

Data management tools are being developed to help streamline the process of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data. These tools can help reduce errors and improve accuracy, as well as provide insights into trends that may not have been previously visible. As such, it is essential for Medpace Clinical Research Associates to understand how to use these tools effectively in order to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.

The Role of the CRA During and After COVID-19

The role of the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) has become increasingly important during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As clinical trials have been disrupted due to the pandemic, CRAs are now tasked with ensuring that protocols are followed and data is collected accurately.

CRAs must also be able to adapt quickly to changing regulations and guidelines in order to ensure compliance. Additionally, they must be able to effectively communicate with sponsors and sites to ensure that all parties involved understand the protocol and can work together to achieve successful outcomes.

The CRA’s role will continue to evolve as the industry recovers from the pandemic. It is essential for CRAs to stay up to date on new technologies and trends in order to remain competitive and provide the best possible service to their clients.

Patient Engagement in Clinical Trials

Patient engagement in clinical trials is becoming increasingly important as the healthcare industry shifts to a more patient-centric approach. Medpace Clinical Research Associates are at the forefront of this trend, working with patients and their families to ensure that they understand the risks and benefits associated with participating in a trial.

Patient engagement also helps to improve data quality by providing real-time feedback on how the trial is progressing. This allows for better decision making and faster results. Additionally, it can help to reduce costs associated with running a trial by reducing the need for additional resources or personnel. By understanding the importance of patient engagement, Medpace Clinical Research Associates will be well positioned to take advantage of this emerging trend.

Advancement Prospects

Clinical research associates can advance their careers by taking on more responsibility and gaining experience in different areas of clinical research. They may move up to a supervisory role, such as a clinical research manager, or they may move into a more specialized role, such as a clinical research coordinator or a clinical research scientist. They may also choose to pursue a higher degree in clinical research or a related field, such as a Master’s degree in Clinical Research Administration.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Medpace Clinical Research Associate interview questions and answers.

1. How would you handle an irate client?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you have the patience and problem-solving skills to diffuse a tense situation and resolve it quickly.

Example: “I would first listen carefully to what they’re saying and ask questions if I don’t understand something. Then, I’d explain in simple terms why their concerns aren’t valid or how we are working on resolving them. If they continue to be upset, I would offer to speak with them privately so no one else has to hear their complaints.”

2. Have you worked with any regulatory documents before? What kind?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with regulatory documents and how you apply them to your work. You can use examples from previous jobs to show that you know what a regulatory document is, how it works and how to apply it to your research.

Example: “I have worked with several regulatory documents in my past roles as a clinical research associate. I’ve worked with both FDA and IRB regulations for all of my projects, which has helped me ensure that our company’s research was safe and ethical. I also used GCP guidelines when working on studies abroad, where we had to comply with local laws.”

3. What are some of your skills that would help make you successful as a Clinical Research Associate?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include a brief description of the skill or ability along with an example from your experience that shows how you use it.

Example: “I have excellent organizational skills, which I developed through my previous role as a medical records clerk at a hospital. This helped me keep track of patient information and ensure all documents were filed correctly. Another skill I possess is my attention to detail, which has helped me notice errors in data entry before sending reports to clients.”

4. What is your experience with data collection and management?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with clinical research and how you might fit into their team. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills, but also consider including any personal projects or volunteer work that helped you develop these skills.

Example: “In my last position as a medical researcher, I was responsible for collecting data on patient demographics, health history and treatment plans. This involved entering information into our database and ensuring it was accurate before sending it to the lead researchers. I also worked closely with other members of the team to ensure we were all using the same terminology when recording data.”

5. Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of pressure at work, what did you do to manage it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stressful situations. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work under pressure and remain calm, focused and productive.

Example: “I once had an extremely busy week at my previous job where I was working on several projects at once. One day, I received a call from one of our clients who needed some additional information about their study. I told them that I would look into it right away and find out what they needed. After finishing up with all of my other tasks for the day, I looked over the client’s file again and found the information they were looking for. They were very happy with my response.”