SoCRA
The Society of Clinical
Research Associates
Kimberly B. Bradley, CCRP
Overview
Background and Growth
Mission
Certification
Getting Involved
Background
Founded and Incorporated in 1991
First annual conference in 1992
CCRP certifications began in 1995
“Quality Education, Peer Recognition,
Professional Certification”
Current Membership
11,350 members (as of December 31, 2008)
>6,687 are CCRP certified
41 countries
represented
Six continents
53 Chapters
Mission Statement
“The express aim of SoCRA is to provide
training and continuing education for
clinical research professionals and to
establish and maintain an
international certification program for
clinical research professionals.”
Mission-Specific Actions
Establishing educational programming
and provide continuing education
Establishing an internationally
recognized certification program, and
Fostering the professional
development and peer recognition of
Clinical Research Professionals
Clinical Research Professional
Clinical investigator, sub-investigator,
clinical researcher, research nurse,
administrator, coordinator, consultant,
or educator in clinical trial
management…involved in one or more
aspects of clinical trials research…
Clinical Research Professional
data collection, analysis, or
monitoring
case management of protocol
participants
recruitment and enrollment of
human subjects
protection of subjects and
subjects’ rights through IRB
relations
development of informed
consents
preparation of adverse event
experience reports
construction or monitoring of
case report forms
maintenance of drug
accountability records
grant and budget development
report preparation
education of other health-care
professionals, patients or
families regarding clinical trials
protocol development
program administration
research program audit
SoCRA Membership
Open to any clinical research
professional
Do not have to be certified (or obtain
certification) to be a member
Local chapter membership included
automatically
Virginia Membership
159 members, 76 certified CCRPs
7 VCU members certified CCRPs
Certification—CCRP
SoCRA Membership (prior to or at time of exam application)
Eligibility requirements
Successfully pass CCRP Exam
Re-certify every three years
recertification exam
45 hours continuing education
Minimum Experience
Two years of full time employment in clinical
research during last five years, OR
Degree in Clinical Research, with 1 year of full
time experience during the last two years, OR
12 or more semester hours in a clinical research
curriculum with a degree in a related field and
one year of experience during the past two
years.
See exam application for details on degrees and information on qualification with part-time hours.
Common Questions
Will work pay for it?!?!?!
Will I get a raise?!?!?!
Exam Expense
SoCRA Membership is $75 per year
Certification exam is $195 (member rate)
Recertification is $100 (every three years)
SCT (Society for Clinical Trials)
$110 annual membership; no certification available
ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals)
$150 annual membership
$20-25 charge to join local chapter
$410 for certification exam (includes $100 application fee, member rate)
Benefits of Certification
Raises are department specific and
usually multi-factorial
Internationally recognized
Commitment to the field of research
Proof of knowledge and familiarity
with regulations
Salary Survey
CCRP not directly correlated with
higher salary
only applies to newly certified
CCRPs with three years or more of
certification make above average salaries
Higher incomes associated more with
education and years experience
Salary Survey Findings
“More involvement in professional
organizations, including attending the
SoCRA annual conference and
education workshops, is associated
with higher compensation.”
Get Involved
Step One: JOIN!
“The secret of getting ahead
is getting started.”
–Sally Berger
Get Involved!
Attend an Annual Conference
September 2009: Nashville, TN
Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Future Dates:
September 2010: Dallas, TX
September 2011: San Francisco, CA
September 2012: Las Vegas (not finalized)
Get Involved
Attend Educational Courses
FDA Clinical Trial Requirements
Clinical Site Management
Device Research Workshop
Clinical Science Course
SOP Development and Implementation
Monitoring Workshop
Get Involved
Attend local chapter meetings
Meet in conjunction with department
meetings
Sponsor SoCRA programming and
certification tests
Hold “mini” conferences for locals
Get Involved
Take the CCRP Exam
Speak at local and/or national
meetings
Volunteer for committees or Board
membership
Always Changing…
Research is a field of constant change
Regulations
Clinical Care
Technology
Education and involvement are
essential for career movement and field
advancement
Finishing Quote
“If you want to accomplish anything in life,
you can't just sit back and hope it will
happen. You've got to make it happen.”
–Chuck Norris