Perspectives Winter/Spring 2019

14 | DR. PALLAVI PATEL COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES PROGRAM News The Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences’ Department of Health Science recently developed two new certificate programs in Clinical Research Associate and Clinical Trial Manager. The programs are being offered within the online Master of Health Science Program and are a joint effort between NSU and Biorasi—a leading, full-service global contract research organization. These certificate programs will help prepare students to enter the rapidly growing field of clinical research and provide them with the practical skills and knowledge needed to achieve a well-paying career in the sciences. Designed specifically for health providers, administrators, and educators, the Master of Health Science Program also offers concentrations in sports medicine, higher education, forensic investigative technology, health care risk management, clinical research, bioethics, and health law. The ultimate goal is to have students become knowledgeable about the functions performed by a clinical research associate during a clinical trial. Competent clinical research associates are needed to enable contract research organizations to fulfill their mission by conducting trustworthy clinical trials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2012 to 2022 growth rate for clinical research associ- ates is projected to be 36.4 percent. The Society of Clinical Research Associates also provided compelling information regarding certification. Specifically, the eligibility requirement of having 2 years of experi- ence as a full-time clinical research professional, or compiling 3,500 hours of part-time experience in the past 5 years, can be reduced with an undergraduate or graduate certificate in clinical research with a curriculum of no less than 12 credit hours. This Clinical Research Associate Program, which accepted its first cohort of students in fall 2018, exceeds the certificate-hour component and allows individuals to decrease the required experience hours in half to meet certification eligibility requirements. Career Connections Two Research Certificate Programs Added BY DEBRA A. DIXON, D.H.SC. , RDH CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE TARGET AUDIENCE : Professionals in health care and science disciplines who seek clinical research employment CREDIT HOURS: 15 SAMPLE COURSES: Research Ethics; The Clinical Trial Process; Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance; Reporting Clinical Trial Results; and Clinical Trial Conduct BENEFITS: The understanding of various jurisdictional regulations, the guidance required of a practitioner in terms of clinical trials, and the knowledge of checks and balances put in place to ensure compliance APPLIED SKILLS INCLUDE: The administra- tion, coordination, and management of clinical research trials for the development of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, biologics, and treatment regimens TARGET COMPLETION: 12 months PROGRAM NEWS