[Hiring] Senior Clinical Research Associate @Merck

Role Description

• Develops strong site relationships and ensures continuity of site relationships through all phases of the trial.
• Performs clinical study site management/monitoring activities in compliance with ICH-GCP, Sponsor SOPs, Local Laws & Regulations, Protocol, Site Monitoring Plan and associated documents.
• Gains an in-depth understanding of the study protocol and related procedures.
• Coordinates & manages various tasks in collaboration with other sponsor roles to achieve Site Ready.
• Participates & provides inputs on site selection and validation activities.
• Performs remote and on-site monitoring & oversight activities using various tools to ensure:
  • Data generated at site are complete, accurate and unbiased.
  • Subjects’ right, safety and well-being are protected.
• Conducts site visits including but not limited to validation visits, initiation visits, monitoring visits, close-out visits and records clear, comprehensive and accurate visit & non-visit contact reports appropriately in a timely manner.
• Collects, reviews, and monitors required regulatory documentation for study start-up, study maintenance and study close-out.
• Communicates with Investigators and site staff on issues related to protocol conduct, recruitment, retention, protocol deviations, regulatory documentation, site audits/inspections and overall site performance.
• Identifies, assesses and resolves site performance, quality or compliance problems and escalates per defined CRA Escalation Pathway as appropriate in collaboration with CRA-Manager, CRM, TA Head and CRD as needed.
• Works in partnership internally with GCTO country operations, finance, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, legal and regional operations, HQ functional areas and externally with vendors and IRB/IECs and Regulatory Authorities in support of assigned sites.
• Manages and maintains information and documentation in CTMS, eTMF and various other systems as appropriate and per timelines.
• Contributes strongly to CRA team knowledge by acting as process Subject Matter Expert (SME), sharing best practices, making recommendations for continuous improvement and providing training as appropriate/required.
• Supports and/or leads audit/inspection activities as needed.
• Following the country strategy defined by CRD and CRA-Manager, contributes to the identification of new potential sites and works closely with them to develop strong clinical research capabilities.
• Mentors / buddies junior CRAs on process/study requirements and performs co-monitoring visits where appropriate.
• Could perform Quality control visits if delegated by other roles and trained appropriately.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Local Languages and English (verbal and written) and excellent communication skills, including the ability to understand and present technical information effectively.
• Excellent understanding and working knowledge of clinical research, phases of clinical trials, current GCP/ICH & country clinical research law & guidelines.
• Excellent understanding of Global, Country/Regional Clinical Research Guidelines and ability to work within these guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor/lead.
• Hands on knowledge of Good Documentation Practices.
• Proven Skills in Site Management including independent management of site performance and patient recruitment.
• Demonstrated high level of monitoring skill with independent professional judgment.
• Good IT skills (Use of MS office, use of various clinical IT applications on computer, tablet and mobile devices) and ability to adapt to new IT applications on various devices.
• Ability to understand and analyze data/metrics and act appropriately, also in a virtual environment.
• Experience with conducting site motivational visit designed to boost site enrollment.
• Capable of managing complex issues, works in a solution-oriented manner.
• Performs root cause analysis and implements preventative and corrective action.
• Capable of mentoring junior CRAs on process/study requirements and is able to perform co-monitoring visits where appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or above) with at least 4 years of direct site management (monitoring) experience in a bio / pharma / CRO.
• 7 years of relevant experience in the healthcare field, including at least 4 years of direct site management (monitoring) experience in bio / pharma / CRO.

Benefits

• Adaptability
• Clinical Site Management
• Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA)
• Clinical Trial Compliance
• Clinical Trial Documentation
• Clinical Trial Management
• Clinical Trial Planning
• Clinical Trials Monitoring
• Clinical Trials Operations
• Competency Management
• Conflict Management
• Cross-Cultural Awareness
• Cultural Awareness
• Customer Centricity
• Decision Making
• Document Management
• Growth Mindset
• ICH GCP Guidelines
• Matrix Management
• Multitasking
• Patient Recruitment
• Product Information
• Regulatory Compliance
• Relationship Building