As the medical field is expanding, causing more jobs to pop up all over the place for nurses, EMT's, and the like, the necessity for more researchers is expanding as well. As the number of researchers increases, it leaves more work available for those whose duty it is to oversee the research for the sponsors. Job opportunities for trained Clinical Research Associates (also called Clinical Research Monitors) are plentiful and growing; and while the job itself does not require certification, it is often advantageous to receive training to make one an even better candidate for such a career. Some clinical research associates have scientific BS degrees, nursing degrees, and a good understanding of FDA regulations but it is not mandatory for entry.

Clinical Research Associates (CRA's) are employed to monitor progress made on specific clinical studies sponsored by the CRA's employers. They help keep research inside the protocols and objectives, and evaluates clinical data. CRA's also interact with all sorts of personnel involved with the research at hand, including other CRA's, medical writers, statisticians, and external sources, especially those with the FDA. It is the job of a clinical research associate to visit clinical sites frequently and monitor progress and procedures to make sure the studies are kept on schedule and within the confines of agreements made between researchers and sponsors.

At Unitek College, learn the ropes of clinical research in their clinical research course, where 40 hours of information on clinical research is packing into a five day course leaving students ready to head into a career in the clinical research field. During the five days, students of the clinical research associate class will learn about the history of research, laws governing research, regulations and ethics, research factors, ethical problems, responsibilities of CRA's, dealing with the FDA and FDA inspections, audits, and the like.

Unitek College offers many types of financing to aid prospective students in paying for their clinical research associate training. With the price of tuition, students are given a CD-ROM of references, documentation and internet links to help aid in educating CRA's-in-training.

If a career in researching appeals to you, visit the Unitek College website at