Clinical Research Coordinator Level 2 Programme (July 2024 intake)

For the fourth run of the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Level 2 Programme in July 2024, SCRI Academy welcomed 30 CRCs from across the public healthcare clusters. This programme is designed to equip CRCs with at least two years of experience in coordinating clinical research studies.

 The programme was spaced out across six weeks, and participants acquired relevant knowledge and skills to coordinate for investigator-initiated clinical research studies across different study design protocols. Th CRCs were able to apply the skills they learnt progressively each week to the clinical research studies they managed back in their respective institutions

In the first week of the programme, CRCs learnt about the function and responsibilities of trial sponsors in investigator-initiated trials (IIT) as well as key concepts in project management such as planning ahead to optimise allocation of resources and finding solutions to overcome limitations and building rapport to facilitate stakeholder management. Participants learnt strategies on how to maintain the quality of research data gathered from the study, and why robust clinical data is key in contributing to the success of clinical trials. The programme also took a deep dive into core clinical research processes such as conducting protocol reviews, safety monitoring, and assessing site feasibility.

In the second week, participants were exposed to a series of hands-on learning which included how to manage resources, budget planning, apply for research grants and data collected in a study, designing a study, coordinating investigator and site initiation meetings, as well as keeping updated on the current Institutional Review Board (IRB), ethics and regulatory requirements for clinical research.

In the final week, the CRCs were introduced to strategies to overcome challenges met in patient recruitment and other career pathways they can explore in Project Management. The last stretch of lessons featured key topics on proper handling of clinical research samples and biological specimens and how to correctly chart checklists for study monitoring, inspections, and site closure.

Throughout the programme, participants were given opportunities to practice and apply the skills that they had gained through classroom activities and case scenario discussions

The programme was delivered by our experienced team of trainers, comprising clinical research professionals from both the public and private sectors in the clinical research industry. Our guest speakers included Dr Yeo Jing Ping, Global Head of Project Operations, Head of Transformation from George Clinical, Ms Michelle Ho, Executive Director, and Ms Stacey Low, Director, Quality Management from Syneos Health.

At the end of the programme, participants shared their key personal takeaways from the programme:

SCRI Academy expresses its gratitude to the trainers who continue to dedicate their time to impart their knowledge and experiences to the participants in the CRC Level 2 Programme. We would also like to congratulate the CRCs who have completed the programme!

For latest updates about the CRC Level 2 Programme, click here ↗ (opens in new tab) to find out more!