Clinical trials are cutting-edge research studies designed to evaluate
medical interventions, including surgical and behavioural procedures and
products. In Ireland,
they must be authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority
(HPRA) and the National Office for Research Ethics Committees (NREC).
These studies play a crucial role in developing new treatments, including
diets, devices, or drugs, and allow scientists to monitor patient response,
efficacy, and side effects before a new treatment launches on the market.
Governments all over the world require stringent clinical trial data before
approving medical interventions. As a result, clinical research
organisations (CROs) are in high demand, as they conduct clinical trials
and report on their findings. An effective clinical trial requires a
skilled and experienced management team, often working for trusted CROs
like ICON.
The most important aspects of clinical trial management
Every clinical trial requires a dedicated trial manager who is solely
focused on overseeing the team and ensuring overall success. They
often work alongside the clinical project manager, though their duties are distinct. Here are some of the most important
aspects of a career in clinical trial management.
Preventing bias in reporting
Clinical trials must remain free from bias. This is not the same as
ensuring the medical intervention is found safe and effective – the
trial manager must stay neutral and commit only to the data. Therefore,
trusted companies such as ICON follow stringent trial management
guidelines,
including blinding, to prevent bias and ensure that the results are neutral and accurate.
Keep the project organised and on schedule
Clinical trial managers must have excellent time management skills and
planning capabilities, as they are responsible for keeping the trial on
schedule. Even when employee morale dips or the results are unfavourable,
the clinical trial coordinator must be able to lead and motivate the team.
After all, the results could be unusable if the time-sensitive schedule is
not followed.
Overseeing project design and identifying errors
Project planning is an essential aspect of all clinical trial
management jobs. Despite this, some CROs prefer to bring trial managers
on after the project has been designed to save costs and
reduce their staffing budget.
However, this often prevents the clinical trial manager from
identifying serious errors in the project design right from the
beginning. As they are familiar with a clinical trial's daily process,
they can pinpoint critical flaws in a study’s practical aspects.
Ensuring the trial is correctly documented and evaluated
Most importantly,
clinical trial managers oversee all other nurses, apprentices, and
lab
technicians to ensure that the trial has been correctly documented and
evaluated. Without these vital processes, the entire trial would have
been for nothing, as the medical company would not be able to use the
data.
Working with a diverse team of people
One of the most important skills needed for clinical trial manager
jobs
is excellent intrapersonal skills, as you’ll work with a diverse array
of different professions. On a daily basis, you’ll need to communicate
with clinical trial nurses,
clinical research associates, lab technicians, doctors, patients, and admin staff, as well as
representatives from the commissioning company. Therefore, the ability
to relate to and collaborate with people from multiple backgrounds is a
must.
Simply put, a successful clinical trial requires an experienced,
professional clinical trial manager to take the reins and keep the trial on
track. As the industry is rapidly changing and adopting pioneering
technology, AI, and
virtual trials, it’s an exciting time to start or advance your career.
Clinical Trial Management careers at ICON
Are you looking for a new challenge in a professional and innovative
setting where you will be supported to grow in your clinical trial career?
ICON should be at the top of your shortlist. ICON is the world's leading
clinical research organisation (CRO) – working with ICON will immerse you
in the most complex healthcare challenges and give you the chance to
overcome them.
Now is the time to browse
clinical trial vacancies and take the next step in your career with ICON.
