Career in Clinical Research Courses in India: Engineering and MBBS have become everyone’s choice when choosing a career after the 12th. But most of you may not have given any thought to Clinical Research, although it is a very demanding branch of Medical Research. It helps you to be a part of research centres for drugs and cures. This article will give you an inside review of the Clinical research careers and clinical research jobs available after clinical research courses.
When the Indian Government stated that each medicine should be presented in the market only after a clinical researcher examines it, the demand for clinical researchers became high.
Recent surveys have shown that around 60,000 clinical professionals are required to make this rule reality. In this article, you will find all information related to Clinical Research and Clinical Research Investigators.
What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research is a division of healthcare science that studies the safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatments for human use. Clinical Research determines the best way to prevent and treat various diseases.
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A person who practices Clinical Research and has studied clinical research courses is usually called a Clinical Research Investigator. The field of Clinical Research is generally divided into three major parts, i.e.
- Patient-Oriented research
- Epidemiologic and Behavioral research
- Health Service research
The experiments are done with a test article subjected to pre-clinical studies or animal studies.
How to become a Clinical Research Investigator?
Those with a Life science or Pharmacy background can take a PhD in different Clinical Research Courses. Students having Research degrees may have numerous areas of research to choose from in the Clinical Research Field.
A sample of state and privately funded Colleges in India offer different Clinical Research courses. Getting admission to a college that provides Clinical Research is not that challenging compared to other pure medical degrees like MBBS.
Various Clinical Research Courses in India
To work as a Clinical Research Investigator, one can earn a degree by following a Clinical Research course. A Bachelor’s Degree in life sciences or pharmacy is a must to enter this field.
| Course Name | Duration |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research | 1 year |
| Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research | 3 years |
| Master of Science in Clinical Research | 2 year |
| Certificate in Clinical Research | 6 months |
Admission Procedure
- 10+2 in the science stream (physics, chemistry, and biology) from a recognised school or board in India.
- Candidates should score a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Eligibility Criteria for Clinical Research Courses
The following are the eligibility criteria for clinical research courses:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualification | 10+2 in the science stream (physics, chemistry, and biology) from a recognised school or board in India. |
| Qualifying Marks | Candidates should score a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. |
Clinical Research Courses Syllabus
Here in this section, we provide detailed information about the Clinical research courses curriculum for diploma, certification or pg courses. Let’s have a look.
| Particular | Courses Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Diploma | Basic Safety Clinical Trial Planning and design Clinical research Guidelines and Regulations Pharmacovigilance Clinical Trial Conduct, Compliance and Quality Assurance Clinical Research Management Data Analysis and Management in Clinical Research |
| PG Diploma in Clinical Research | Module 1: Introduction to clinical research Module 2: Pharmacology and drug development Module 3: Ethics and Guidelines in Clinical Research Module 4: Regulation in Clinical Research Module 5: Clinical Trial Management Module 6: Clinical Data Management & Biostatistics |
BSc Clinical Research Curriculum
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Spoken English | Advanced Spoken English |
| Management Concepts | Organizational Behaviour And Human Resource Management |
| Accounting-I | Pharmacology-I |
| Fundamentals Of Clinical Research | Marketing Management |
| Introduction To Health Care | Health, Hospital And Drug Administration |
| Mind Management And Human Values | Medical Therapeutics-I |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Communicative English | Research Methodology |
| Analytical And Clinical Biochemistry | Pharmacology-II |
| Basics of Biostatistics | Fundamentals of Clinical Trials Operations |
| Bioethics And Bio Safety | Global Regulations Of Clinical Trial |
| Preclinical Studies | Environmental Studies |
| Business Application-Excel | Molecular Diagnostics |
| Medical Therapeutics-II | |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Fundamentals of Pharmacovigilance and safety reporting | Medical Records Management |
| Clinical Data Management | Basic Epidemiology |
| Medical writing | Quality In Healthcare and Total Quality Management |
| Project Management | Ethics In Clinical Research |
| Healthcare Administration | Hospital Management And Law |
| SAS Training | Soft Skills & Personality Development Training |
| Minor Project as per approved topic | Internship Training & Reporting |
| Major Project As Per Approved Topic |
Top Colleges in India Offering Clinical Research
Many colleges in India offer this course. A few of them are:
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI) | Mumbai |
| Asian Institute of Health Sciences | Mumbai |
| Apeejay Institute of Health Sciences | Mumbai |
| Saveetha University | Gurgaon |
| ICBIO Clinical Research | Bangalore |
Clinical Research Job Opportunities
Recent changes in regulations have a significant influence on a Clinical Research Investigator’s life. The latest studies prove that the Clinical Research field, which is currently having business growth of around 250 crores, will soon increase to around 5000 crores. This profession helps investigators to end up with good incomes like doctors.
Many research sectors, such as Pharma Industries, Biotech Companies, Research Labs etc., have opened job opportunities for clinical investigators. Various types of Clinical Research positions are available, and a few of them are:
- Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
- Clinical Research Managers (CRM)
- Clinical Research Coordinator (CRO)
- Counsellors
- Project Manager
Job Profile
| Job Profile | Job Role |
| Biostatistician | Combines mathematics, statistics and science to arrive at the best possible solutions to the problems in the public health sector. |
| Clinical Research Associate | Collects and preserves the data obtained during various trials and studies conducted to know more about the issues in the public health sector |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Develops, implements and coordinates research and administrative procedures for successfully managing clinical trials. |
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Roles of a Clinical Researcher
- Develop and write trial protocols.
- Present trial protocols to a steering committee
- Design data collection forms, known as case report forms (CRFs)
- Coordinate with the ethics committee, which safeguards all trial subjects’ rights, safety and well-being.
- Manage regulatory authority applications and approvals that oversee the research and marketing of new and existing drugs.
- Identify and assess the suitability of facilities to use as the clinical trial site.
- Identify/select an investigator who will be responsible for conducting the trial at the trial site.
- Liaise with doctors, consultants or investigators on conducting the trial.
- Set up the trial sites – ensuring each centre has the trial materials, including the trial drug, often known as the investigational medicinal product (IMP).
- Train the site staff to trial-specific industry standards.
- Monitor the trial throughout its duration, which involves visiting the trial sites regularly and dealing with and solving any issues.
- Verify that data entered into the CRFs is consistent with patient clinical notes, known as source data/document verification (SDV).
- Collect completed CRFs from hospitals and general practices.
- Write visit reports and file and collate trial documentation and reports.
Skills of a Clinical Researcher
- Clinical Research Knowledge
- Skills for Analysis
- Skills for Laboratory
- Confident Student
- Patience and attention
- Coordinating and Cooperating Skills
Average Salary
The following are the average salary for the clinical research courses:
| Job Profile | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Biostatistician | Rs 2.50 LPA |
| Clinical Research Associate | Rs 3 LPA |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | Rs 2 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some career opportunities in clinical research?
A clinical research associate’s role is coordinating, collecting, distributing, and storing data obtained during clinical trials. The execution of this role, however, involves quite a few responsibilities.
1. Develop and write clinical trial protocols
2. Develop forms and templates for data collection
3. Coordinate with the Ethics committee to ensure trials are conducted in an ethical manner
4. Set up trial sites, and ensure trials are conducted as per procedures and regulations
5. Educate patients, doctors and other personnel about the trial
6. Monitor the conduct of trials at various sites and review data for regulatory submissions
7. Prepare reports, presentations and manuscripts for publications
Why do you think clinical research is a prospective career option?
Clinical Research is a field of science working towards developing new and better ways to cure diseases and finding methods to enhance one’s overall quality of life. With the help of clinical trials, researchers have found cures for diseases considered incurable in the past. A career in clinical research allows you to contribute to this noble cause and make a difference in people’s lives.
In addition to this, Clinical Research is an industry with a multitude of diverse workplaces. You can work in the field, perform clinical trials, work in a corporate office, or coordinate research. This gives you many options to choose from while opting for a career option.
Another factor that makes this an advantageous career option is that it offers handsome salaries to candidates straight from the entry level.
How do I become a clinical research associate?
A person should be of life sciences or medical background; if you are from these domains, try to gain some knowledge about clinical research by attending courses like a diploma or any other relevant courses. If you already have decent clinical research expertise, apply and try to attend walk-ins from CROs. If you clear the interview, then you can start as a fresher.
What are clinical research opportunities after BDS?
Clinical Research has high demands in the Pharmaceutical Industry; if you choose Clinical Research, these are the position you can get in:
1. As Principal Investigator
2. As Co-investigator
3. As Medical Advisor
4. As Drug Developer
5. As Regulatory Affairs Manager
6. As Clinical Research
7. Physician Technical Writer
What is a better career move, a senior research coordinator or a clinical research manager?
A medical studies coordinator (CRC), now and again referred to as a clinical trial manager, performs an imperative role in medical studies of all kinds. They commonly paint below the course of the foremost investigator (PI), who’s in the price of designing, engaging in, and coping with the medical trial from an excessive level. The CRC’s job is to assist, facilitate, and prepare everyday scientific trial activities.
Clinical studies coordinators also work alongside the department, sponsor, and institution to manual them through compliance, finances, and personnel problems. The CRC manages the everyday medical operations sports, overseeing and executing delegated responsibilities to suitable events.
Is clinical research a good career in India?
Clinical Research is a Better Career Option and is an attractive industry for researchers in India because it foresees enormous growth and job opportunities not only for trained medical, pharmaceutical, and paramedical professionals but also for project management staff etc
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It is a very useful blog and very important information about Clinical Research.
HOW MUCH IS PG Diploma in Clinical Research
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Best institutes for clinical research courses.
If you are planning to take Clinical Research training course in USA, here is a college called Sollers which offers Clinical Trial Management Course, Clinical Research Training Program at Edison, NJ
Thanks for your suggestion.
Prorelix Lifesciences Education is the best Award winning institute of India. It is the right place to have the clinical research knowledge. The main emphasis is on the knowledge, and with that they also provide the 100% placement support and also give the training to appear for the interview. It is the best Clinical Research institute in India, best institute for Regulatory Affairs in India with the clinical diploma, it also has the Post graduate program in Hospital and Pharma Product Management.
Thank you very much for sharing this informative blog..I am student of 12th with PCB group and I wish to make my Career in Clinical Research..Your article really helps me alot to find colleges…Can you please give fees structure of the organisation..looking forward for your reply..Thank you once again
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Pharmaceutical companies have turned to botanical drugs for alternative medicines to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Clinical research is growing now and there are various career opportunities in this field. Thanks for sharing this blog.
what os the admission procedure in various colleges for taking admission in clinical research
Can students pursuing degree in B.M.L.T( Bachelor of Medical Lab Technology ) opt for M.Sc. clinical recearch?