What it Takes to Be a Certified Clinical Data Manager

The flourishing industry of clinical data management has opened many great opportunities for would-be clinical data managers. There are strict policies and standards that govern this growing industry, so does the quest for the best clinical data managers.

For a newbie in this industry, they should not only possess good analytical and scientific knowledge. The never-ending advancement of technology is as important as any knowledge there is, and a good candidate should be savvy in more ways than one. Skills and work experience are also vital in the selection of a would-be manager. However, a topnotch, certified clinical data manager should not only possess certain skills and vast knowledge, he/she must also meet the requirements for being one.

Data Collection Tools

Professional eligibility, competency in the skill sets and knowledge, and adherence to the code of ethics for professional clinical data management are the core imprints of a certified clinical data manager. High level of expertise and responsibility, and continuous recognized contribution to the industry are also as important as the rest of the qualifications that make one.

An interest in this career is brought about by the very competitive salary base and benefits. In the United States, the base salary range for a certified clinical data manager is from ,000 to 0,000. Top it up with benefits and perks such as bonuses, social security, disability and healthcare, car and housing loans, pension, time-off and 401k.

A great career comes with responsibility and eligibility. It is important that a candidate possesses the right skills and experience to meet the industry standards.

Key responsibilities of a certified clinical data manager:

Works and coordinates with the research team. He/she supervises all the aspects of data collection and entry, analysis and report generation. It is his/her responsibility to oversee and maintain the productivity and accuracy of the research team.

Responsible for developing data collection standards of various research and/or department projects. He/she may also be tasked to develop new protocols, update methods and generate ideas for software development. Experience in a laboratory setting and familiarity in research and its aspects are also vital factors that back-up the skill sets and knowledge. Exposure to research and development are also key competencies of a certified clinical data manger.

He/she should be effective in communicating in both verbal and written form, and can develop and implement procedures and timelines. They should also know how to explain technical information to both research participants and stakeholders. Good problem-solving skills, creative and analytical thinking and ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines are just some of the best characteristics of a certified clinical data manager.

Qualifying Factors that make a good certified manager:

A Masters degree is a minimum requirement, while a PhD is often required. Area of specialization such as microbiology, molecular biology, genetics and chemistry are just some of the required educational backgrounds from a qualifying candidate.

They should have extensive laboratory experience with a minimum of five years on research within the scope of his/her specialty. Additional training, research exposure and laboratory skills are also qualifying factors and give you an edge over the competition.

What it Takes to Be a Certified Clinical Data Manager