Anyone a Clinical Research Associate?

[TheSilverSwan]

If so, what qualifications/experience are needed? I have 18 years in the NHS but need a move.
Thanks in advance.

A science or life sciences degree. As a nurse you would definitely have a huge advantage as a CRA. A lot of the job is reading hospital notes and chatting to nurses, pharmacy staff and Investigators. So if you already understand medical terminology, bad doctor's writing, what conditions actually are without googling them, what medications and doses are appropriate, and the zillion abbreviations you might encounter you are doing well. Also knowing how hospitals work, how to speak to doctors (investigators) without looking clueless, and being considerate of the fact that there are real patients behind each patient number are also skills you will have.

The best place to start is a CRO, particularly one with a CRA training program.

There is a lot of travel unfortunately, and more standard operating procedures than you thought possible, ethics committee oversight, and so much training, always documenting everything! After awhile you get used to it, but the hospital staff who are new to clinical trials think it is all ridiculous.