Clinical Research Coordinator Training

Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) are an essential component of the clinical research enterprise at CHOP, serving a pivotal role in human subject’s protection and overall study management. CHOP’s Research Institute is committed to providing the proper education, training, and support for CRCs.

All CRCs are required to complete the CRC Fundamentals Program offered by the Clinical Research Support Office Staffing Core; this is currently a two half-day program, offered every other month.

Additional information about the program:

• Applies to any research staff performing research coordinator functions and/or listed in the role of study coordinator on an IRB protocol submission. Specific job titles may include, but are not limited to: Research Assistant, Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Nurse, Clinical Research Nurse, Study Nurse, and Clinical Project Manager
• All CRCs new to the Research Institute must complete the CRC Fundamentals Program within 6 months of their date of hire; it is recommended that the program be completed between 3 and 6 months of the date of hire so employees have the opportunity to establish some familiarity with their role before attending the program.
• Before attending the CRC Fundamentals Program CRCs should complete the following pre-requisites:
  1. CITI Program’s The Protection of Human Subjects curriculum
  2. CHOP’s online study coordinator modules
• Consistent with current policies, all CRCs must complete CITI training and the on-line study coordinator modules prior to participating on an IRB approved protocol.

Registration for the program is available through the mycareer@CHOP learning module. Once in the learning module, type “CRC Fundamentals” in the Find Learning box to sign up for the class.

If you have questions about the program, please email Michele Toms, Director, CRSO Staffing Core, toms@chop.edu or call 215-590-7727 or Kerri Sullivan, Office Coordinator, CRSO, sullivankl@chop.edu or call 267-426-8642.

Dates and Locations for 2022

January 2023 - Virtual

• Tuesday, 1/24/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm
• Thursday, 1/26/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm

March 2023 - Virtual

• Tuesday, 3/21/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm
• Thursday, 3/23/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm

May 2023 - Virtual

• Tuesday, 5/23/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm
• Thursday, 5/25/2023 - 7:45am to 1:15pm

The responsibility for administering and tracking completion of this requirement lies with the Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs (ATOP). Completion is centrally tracked and available to IRB and ATOP staff. In addition to human subject protections (CITI) training, coordinators listed in IRB protocols must also complete the coordinator training requirement before a protocol can be approved.

Completion of the Clinical Research Coordinator Education Program will be required for individuals in any of the following categories:

• All staff with the job title of "coordinator", as in "clinical study coordinator", "nurse coordinator", or "research coordinator."
• All staff, regardless of HR job title, whose job description includes primary responsibility for study coordination or who function as a study coordinator by virtue of the high-level responsibilities (managerial, administrative, supervisory, clinical, or otherwise) assigned to them on a clinical research protocol.
• All new personnel in the study coordinator role (as defined above) will be required to complete the training within 90 days of their hire date. Only coordinators who complete the requirement will be permitted to serve as the primary or sole coordinator on a clinical research protocol.