CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (CRA):

CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (CRA): The CRA(s) in accordance with the sponsor’s requirements should ensure that the trial is conducted and documented properly by carrying out the following activities when relevant and necessary to the trial and the trial site:Acting as the main line of communication between the sponsor and the investigator.Verifying that the investigator has adequate qualifications and resources and remain adequate throughout the trial period, facilities, including laboratories, equipment, and staff, is adequate to safely and properly conduct the trial and remain adequate throughout the trial period.Investigational product(s):That storage times and conditions are acceptable, and that supplies are sufficient throughout the trial.That the investigational product(s) are supplied only to subjects who are eligible to receive it and at the protocol specified dose(s).That the subjects are provided with necessary instruction on properly using, handling, storing, and returning the investigational product(s). That the receipt, use, and return of the investigational product(s) at the trial sites are controlled and documented adequately.That the disposition of unused investigational product(s) at the trial sites complies with applicable regulatory requirement(s) and is in accordance with the sponsor. Verifying that the investigator follows the approved protocol and all approved amendment(s), if any.Verifying that written informed consent was obtained before each subject’s participation in the trial.Ensuring that the investigator receives the current Investigator’s Brochure,all documents, and all trial supplies needed to conduct the trial properly and to comply with the applicable regulatory requirement(s).Ensuring that the investigator and the investigator’s trial staff are adequately informed about the trial. Verifying that the investigator and the investigator’s trial staff are performing the specified trial functions, in accordance with the protocol and any other written agreement between the sponsor and the investigator/institution, and have not delegated these functions to unauthorized/unqualified individuals.Verifying that the investigator is enrolling only eligible subjects.Reporting the subject recruitment rate.Verifying that source documents and other trial records are accurate, complete, kept up-to-date and maintained. Verifying that the investigator provides all the required reports,notifications, applications, and submissions, and that these documents are accurate, complete, timely, legible, dated, and identify the trial.Checking the accuracy and completeness of the case report forms (CRF) entries, source documents and other trial-related records against each other. The CRA specifically should verify that:The data required by the protocol are reported accurately on the CRFs and are consistent with the source documents.Any dose and/or therapy modifications are well documented for each of the trial subjects.Adverse events, concomitant medications and intercurrent illnesses are reported in accordance with the protocol on the CRFs.Visits that the subjects fail to make, tests that are not conducted, and examinations that are not performed are clearly reported as such on the CRFs.All withdrawals and dropouts of enrolled subjects from the trial are reported and explained on the CRFs. Informing the investigator of any CRF entry error, omission, or illegibility. The CRA should ensure that appropriate corrections, additions, or deletions are made, dated, explained (if necessary), and initialled by the investigator or by a member of the investigator’s trial staff who isauthorized to initial CRF changes for the investigator. This authorization should be documented. Determining whether all adverse events (AEs) are appropriately reported within the time periods required by Good Clinical Practices (GCP), the protocol, the Ethic Committees (IRB/IEC), the sponsor, and the applicable regulatory requirement(s).Determining whether the investigator is maintaining the essential documents.Communicating deviations from the protocol, SOPs, GCP, and the applicable regulatory requirements to the investigator and takingappropriate action designed to prevent recurrence of the detected deviations.

Ideally, a CRC from the site once hired in the industry will become a CTA (CRA-I) and later promoted as independent CRA. Generally, all CTAs are promoted as CRAs within 6-12 months depending on the company policies, performance and the skills that he/she presents in that role.

Some organizations name that function as CRA-1 and some as CTA.

Sometime a CRC can know more than to compare a CTA(Clinical Trail Assistant). If we show the better performance in the area definitely we can move forward as soon as possible to get Independent CRA.

job description of CTA Assist Clinical Team Leader(CTL) and Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) with accurately updating and maintaining clinical systems that track site compliance and performance within project timelines.•

Assist the clinical team in the preparation, handling, distribution, filing, and archiving of clinical documentation andreports according to the scope of work and standard operating procedures. Assist with periodic review of study files for accuracy and completeness.•

Assist CTLs with preparation, handling and distribution of Clinical Trial Supplies and maintenance of tracking information.•

Assist with the tracking and management of Case Report Forms (CRFs), queries and clinical data flow.•

Act as a central contact for the clinical team for designated project communications, correspondence and associateddocumentation.•

May perform assigned administrative tasks to support team members with clinical trial execution

Qualification:Graduates/post graduates(preferably) from life sciences would be the general requirement for a CRA. I have personally seen people who have done their MBA/Commerce who are CRAs' in MNCs now.