FSP Senior Clinical Research Associate

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Sr CRA (Level I)

Purpose:

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. Manages procedures and guidelines from different sponsors and/or monitoring environments (i.e. FSO, FSP, Government, etc.). 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. 

Essential Functions and Other Job Information:

Major Job Responsibilities

• 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. 
• Escalates 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. 
• Contributes 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. 
• Contributes to other project work and initiatives for process improvement, as required.

Travel requirement >75%.

Job Knowledge 

A seasoned, experienced professional, with a full understanding of area of specialization; resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways. 

Job Complexity 

Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.

Supervision Received /Freedom to act

Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments. Demonstrates good judgement in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. 

Interactions /Business Relationships

Represents the department as a prime contact on projects. Interacts with internal and external personnel on significant matters often requiring coordination between functional areas. Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise. 

Qualifications:

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 where applicable. 

In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills, and 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 mindset, in-depth investigation for appropriate root cause analysis and problem solving 
• Ability to manages 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 interpersonal 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: solid knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to learn appropriate software
• Good English language and grammar skills
• Good presentation skills

Management Role:

No management responsibility. 

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is performed in an office/ laboratory/clinical/and/or home office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment
• Frequent drives to site locations. 
• Frequent travel, generally 60-80% but more for some individuals
• May also include extended overnight stays
• Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms
• Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves
• Exposure to fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures on rare occasions
• Must be able to comply with specific sponsor/client/site requirements, even if not required by Thermo Fisher Scientific (e.g., disclosure of vaccination status, or other personal information). On some occasions, this information may be required to be provided directly to sponsor/client/site 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an upright and /or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists
• Frequent mobility required. 
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and offthe-shelf
• Ability to communicate complex information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Frequently interacts with others to obtain or relate information to diverse groups
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence
• Ability to perform under stress 
• Ability to multi-task
• Regular and consistent attendance

Percent Billable:

80% - 100%