As the medical and health care field continues to expand, the need for clinical coordinators may grow along with it. The role of clinical coordinator offers an exciting opportunity to dive into research, understand patient care, and manage health care within a hospital or health care setting. So exactly what is a clinical coordinator, and what does a clinical coordinator do on a daily basis? Take a look at the ins and outs of this role, the skills required, and how to become a clinical coordinator.
What Is a Clinical Coordinator?
To kick us off, a clinical coordinator is, according to Indeed: “a health care professional who monitors and organizes the daily activities of health care facilities. This involves administrative duties as well as some level of patient care.” This unique combination of caring for patients and health care system knowledge makes clinical coordinators a unique role. O*Net Online agrees with this depiction of clinical coordinators, describing the role as suited for those who enjoy leading the charge of clinical research projects. They command the efforts of a skilled team, ensuring their movements align seamlessly with protocols and overarching clinical goals. Finally, clinical coordinators must dive into the depths of clinical data, evaluating and dissecting it with precision and insight.
What Does a Clinical Coordinator Do?
In terms of what a clinical coordinator does on a daily basis, you can expect a clinical coordinator’s responsibilities to range from, digging into data or digging into patient care; understanding the needs of the hospital system or understanding research goals in greater depth. Let’s take a look at what these tasks look like in more detail. Referring back to O*Net Online, clinical coordinator tasks may likely include:
- Scheduling subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays according to study protocols.
- Performing protocol procedures like subject interviews, vital sign measurements, and electrocardiograms.
- Assessing potential subject eligibility via screening interviews, medical record reviews, or discussions with medical staff.
- Preparing study-related documentation including protocol worksheets, manuals, adverse event reports, and progress reports.
- Informing patients or caregivers about study details and anticipated outcomes.
- Recording adverse events and consult with investigators on reporting to oversight agencies.
- Monitoring study activities for compliance with protocols and regulatory policies.
- Supervising subject enrollment and ensure proper informed consent procedures.
- Maintaining records such as case report forms, drug dispensation records, and regulatory forms.
- Identifying and address protocol issues, assisting in revisions as needed.
- Evaluating proposed study protocols, including sample collection and data management plans.
- Collaborating with investigators to prepare presentations and reports on study procedures and results.
- Tracking subject enrollment status and document dropout information.
What Skills Are Needed to Be a Clinical Coordinator?
As you can see from above, the role of clinical coordinator demands a unique set of technical or clinical skills, along with soft skills, to be successful. ZipRecruiter shrewdly summarizes: “Effective clinical coordinators need several specific skills; you need to be good at forming strong working relationships with all kinds of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and insurance representatives. You must also build strong relationships with patients. Clinical coordinators must have good time management skills and be experts in risk management. You need to be a strong leader in this role, as you schedule and manage many medical professionals. You must have a strong understanding of hospital procedures and politics in this role. Clinical coordinators need to remain calm in stressful medical situations.”
How to Be a Good Clinical Coordinator
So, armed with the right technical and/or clinical skills, you still want to be sure you will make a good clinical coordinator. CareerExplorer asserts: "Working as a clinical research coordinator typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that clinical research coordinators are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems." If problem-solving and a passion for learning also rank highly in your skill set, then you just may make a good clinical coordinator.
In addition to strong analytical capabilities, clinical coordinators must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They frequently interact with patients, physicians, researchers, and other members of the clinical team. The ability to clearly explain complex information, build rapport, and collaborate effectively is crucial. Coordinators serve as a bridge between the various parties involved in a clinical trial, ensuring seamless operations.
Furthermore, meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills are indispensable. Clinical trials involve a tremendous amount of documentation, data collection, and adherence to protocols. Coordinators must be able to juggle multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. A mistake or oversight could compromise the integrity of the entire study.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can remain composed under pressure, you may be well-suited for this role. Clinical trials often have stringent timelines, and unexpected challenges may arise. Coordinators must be able to adapt quickly, problem-solve efficiently, and maintain a professional demeanor in stressful situations.
How to Become a Clinical Coordinator
If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a clinical coordinator, the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides some good recommendations on how to enter the field. The BLS does not have a specific occupational profile for "clinical coordinator." However, clinical coordinators typically fall under the broader category of medical and health services managers. Here are the typical steps to become a clinical coordinator, according to the BLS:
- Pursue your education: Most clinical coordinator positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, such as nursing, health administration, or public health. Some employers may prefer or require a master's degree in areas like health services administration, business administration, or public health.
- Gain relevant experience: Clinical coordinators usually need several years of experience working in a health care setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or research facility. This experience can be gained through roles like registered nurse, medical assistant, or other clinical support positions.
- Obtain licenses, certifications, and registration: Depending on the specific role and employer, clinical coordinators may need to obtain certain licenses, certifications, or registrations. For example, if the position involves direct patient care, a nursing license or other clinical certification may be required.
- Receive training: Many clinical coordinators receive on-the-job training to learn the specific protocols, procedures, and regulations related to clinical trials or research studies. This training may cover topics like Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research ethics, data management, and regulatory compliance.
- Hone your skills: Successful clinical coordinators typically possess strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. They should be detail-oriented, able to multitask, and have a solid understanding of medical terminology and procedures.
It's important to note that specific educational and experience requirements may vary depending on the employer, the type of clinical research being conducted, and the level of responsibility within the coordinator role. For more information on careers in this occupational field, please visit the Department of Labor site here.
Summary: What Is a Clinical Coordinator?
A clinical coordinator is a challenging and exciting role set within health care systems that encompasses a rich combination of technical and interpersonal responsibilities. As such, the role also requires a diverse set of skills–from research and data analysis to clinical and patient care skills to communication and time management. Individuals seeking a career as a clinical coordinator can look forward to days that differ from one to the next. This variety ensures fresh opportunities for research, patient care, and more.