In order to have enough evidence to justify investing in these studies, companies pay investigators an enormous sum of money. You, on the other hand, get paid for helping the company with its goal of identifying all the causes of disease. Sounds like a win-win situation, right? However, if you’ve never worked as an investigator, it may not sound that way.
Before you can become part of the study team, you must successfully complete your clinical internship. There is no quicker way to become a practicing clinician than completing this two-week program. This internship is also where clinical investigators are tested in various areas such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology. In addition, clinical investigators must demonstrate proof of their skills in writing the required reports, manuscripts and specifications.
Clinical investigators must apply to the ACRP before they can become full members. Once accepted into the organization, investigators are able to access the latest resources to complete their research. This includes a host of journals in which to present their findings and discuss their case studies in an editor-friendly format. Additionally, they can download the latest guidelines and case studies from the organization’s repository. The ACRP also sponsors conferences, workshops and educational seminars in order to disseminate information to the clinical research community.
There are several steps involved in becoming a full member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. First, clinical investigators must successfully pass the written portion of the exam known as the ACR Test. Students must also complete a minimum of one year of training at an approved clinical research training institution. Training can be from accredited schools or from recognized vocational colleges and universities.
The next step is the clinical practice test, also known as the PCPT. The test covers a variety of topics, such as basic principles of anatomy and physiology, ethics, reimbursement procedures and pharmacology. The clinical study group also tests the clinical investigators’ knowledge and skill in using the most effective research designs. The last requirement is the examination, which includes two sections that assess the investigator’s management skills and managerial communication skills. The first section tests the ability to coordinate the activities of clinical research personnel and the second section assesses the professional’s ability to perform his/her job in an effective and organized manner. Once these requirements are completed, the applicant is then considered a full member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
The ACR is very strict in its standards and guidelines. Because the Association of Clinical Research Professionals sets the clinical research workers’ code of ethics, all its members commit to these rules and regulations. For instance, all members are required to complete a core set of classes dealing with the ethical issues involved in clinical research work. Other requirements include a yearly ethics workshop and a specific number of clinical site visits depending on the specialty of the medical practitioner. This yearly process helps the organization maintain its stance against unethical conduct by its members.
The ACR website includes valuable information for clinical researchers and practitioners. It contains a glossary of terms, a glossary of medical terms used in the field, and a glossary of diseases and conditions related to clinical research work. Another useful feature is a database with current information on vacancies in clinical research. This database is frequently updated and contains details on available positions, including those reserved, as well as those available under contractual arrangements. All these features provide an up-to-date and comprehensive view of the changing job market.
