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    Florida State College at Jacksonville
   
 
  Sep 24, 2023
 
2023-2024 Catalog [Aug. 2023-Aug. 2024] 
  
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2023-2024 Catalog [Aug. 2023-Aug. 2024]

Clinical Research Coordinator (6408) (T.C.)


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Technical Certificate

Mission/Purpose

The mission of the program is to provide the opportunity for students to develop skills and abilities that will allow them to become competent clinical research professionals with entry-level skills. In addition, the program is dedicated to creating competent, ethical, and confident entry-level research professionals committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory, and supportive learning environment.  

The Program

Clinical research helps find new and better ways to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Members of the research team come from a variety of backgrounds. Types of clinical research include clinical trials, which test new treatments for a disease, and natural history studies, which collect health information to understand how a disease develops and progresses over time.

The program offers the perfect mix of health information technology, clinical research, medical terminology and the aspects of business education that is needed to work in this growing field of healthcare. The Clinical Research Coordinator program prepares the student to work as a member of the clinical research team. Graduates will possess the skills needed to coordinate clinical research protocols throughout the startup phase of the trial, to work collaboratively with other departments as needed, to verify required protocol documentation and to interact appropriately with patients. The curriculum consists of a strong focus on research methods and applications, regulatory affairs, the business aspects of clinical research an introduction to health information management and informatics, health insurance billing, health law, basic pharmacology, health data analysis, and a practicum experience to allow students the opportunity to apply practical skills, knowledge, and training learned throughout the program. The goal of the practicum experience is to provide students with the opportunity to practice the essential functions of a clinical research coordinator. 

Upon program completion, students will have the technical skills needed to enter the field of research as an entry-level research professional while possessing the knowledge and skills to startup, implement and follow-up on clinical trials while adhering to all applicable regulations. 

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all professional coursework.

The Career

Clinical Research Professionals play a critical role in all aspects of clinical trial protocols. Florida ranks within the top five states in the country for clinical studies (FSCJ Workforce Education & Economic Development Research & Analysis Report); The Mayo Clinic is the largest research participant and other organizations sponsoring trials including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) the University of Florida-Jacksonville Children’s Oncology Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Southwest Oncology Group, and AddVie (FSCJ Workforce Education & Economic Development Research & Analysis Report.  Entry-level clinical research professionals may be employed in a variety of settings wherever clinical research is conducted. Graduates may find employment opportunities as clinical research coordinators, clinical trial data entry specialists, clinical research technicians, associate research coordinators, clinical research subject recruitment specialists, clinical research assistants in variety healthcare fields or in other areas related to clinical research.

Need More Information? Contact:

The Health Career Information Center, (904) 646-2300 or hcic@fscj.edu

More Information Online

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP): acrpnet.org
Society of Clinical Research Association (SOCRA): socra.org

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen


Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, additional fingerprinting and background check (e.g. the Jessica Lunsford Act for school environments), drug testing, flu shot, Covid-19 testing/vaccine and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.  It is the students’ responsibility to renew their annual physical examination as well as tuberculosis (TB) test.

Graduation Requirements


In order to be awarded a technical certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

  1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
  2. Earn minimum prescribed semester hours for the chosen program of study with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses that apply to the chosen program of study.
  3. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
  4. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating. 
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up).
  • Students who enter under the (2023/2024) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2023/2024 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  • Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or higher regardless of program of study.
     

Articulation


This certificate articulates directly into the Clinical Research Professional (2408) (A.S.)  degree. Students may pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

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