Clinical Research Essentials Foundational Training for Early-Career Clinical Research Professionals

Clinical Research Essentials is a redesigned training program from the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Formerly known as Clinical Research Coordinator 101, this program builds on its strong foundation while expanding content, interactivity, and relevance across clinical research roles.

Designed for early-career professionals, Clinical Research Essentials provides practical knowledge and hands-on experience to support success across the clinical research workforce.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for individuals who are new to clinical research or early in their careers, including those who:

• Coordinate or support clinical research studies
• Work in regulatory, data, or administrative roles
• Provide clinical care within research settings

Examples of roles include:

• Clinical research coordinators
• Research nurses
• Clinical research associates
• Regulatory specialists
• Research data specialists
• Clinical research managers
• Research administrators

The program is also appropriate for faculty, staff, students, trainees, and others exploring careers in clinical research.

Program Format

This blended training includes pre-work, an in-person workshop, and web-based modules. Participants must complete all components to receive full credit for the course.

1. Pre-work: CRC Foundations through CITI

   Participants must complete the Clinical Research Coordinator Foundations course in CITI prior to attending the in-person session.
   
   To access this training:
        1. Log into CITI using your linkblue username and password
       2. Under Learner Tools, select Add a Course
       3. Select Human Subject Protection
       4. Select Additional Courses of Interest
       5. Select Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Foundations
    

2. In-person Workshop

   The expanded in-person experience is 1.5 days long and includes:

   • The role of clinical research professionals
   • Understanding research protocols
   • Navigating the regulatory frontier
   • Participant recruitment and engagement (new)
   • Ethics in action: from principles to participant protection
   • The art and practice of informed consent (new)
     
     Participants will also benefit from:
   • Increased opportunities for networking
   • Hands-on activities and real-world scenarios
      

3. Web-Based Modules

   After the in-person session, participants will complete online modules covering:

   • Data collection
   • Drug and device accountability and record keeping
   • Investigational Drug Services
   • Quality assurance
   • The Clinical Research Support Office
   • Coordinator considerations for behavioral trials
   • Clinical research ethics
      

Because this training is designed as an entry-level course, this program does not provide continuing education credit.

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