Meet Katherine, Clinical Research Associate II

What does a day in the life of your role look like?

No two days are the same as a CRA at Parexel! One day, I might be conducting on-site hospital visits, reviewing patient data, and collaborating with study coordinators and principal investigators. The next, I'm diving into remote monitoring, writing reports, and attending crucial study meetings. This dynamic mix keeps me engaged and constantly learning, making every day an exciting new adventure in advancing clinical research.

What part of your job ignites your passion for clinical research?

This role is a constant learning journey – you'll never find yourself bored! I get to dive into various therapeutic areas, expanding my knowledge of diseases and cutting-edge treatments. But the most rewarding part? We're actively supporting the development of breakthrough treatments that can save lives. There's nothing quite like hearing a doctor or nurse say that a patient is improving – it's moments like these that remind me why I chose this career!

What skills are needed to be successful within your team?

Success as a CRA requires a diverse skill set and a willingness to embrace challenges. It's about being adaptable, thinking critically, and mastering the art of stress and time management. Because 50% of our job involves traveling, we need to be effective in our time management and organization skills. Additionally, arriving to sites organized, prepared and knowing the protocol will set you up for a successful visit. As we get limited time to be onsite, we need to make sure we are able to complete the important tasks, document important issues and protocol deviations. However, depending on the visit we can always face an unexpected situation, which can change our whole initial plan, therefore being able to adapt to different situations and use our critical thinking is very important. Additionally, building our relationships with our nurses, study coordinators and principal investigators is very important for the site to want to continue working with us and meet our deadlines. As a CRA we need to be able to read the room, adapt our communication, be supportive and respond in an appropriate way depending on the situation and who we are talking to.

If you could give prospective team members one key insight about this position, what would it be?

This role will push you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. It's fast-paced and demanding, but for those passionate about clinical research, the personal and professional growth opportunities are unparalleled. You'll be challenged daily, but you'll also be supported every step of the way. The satisfaction of knowing you're directly contributing to advancing medical treatments makes every effort worthwhile. If you're ready for a dynamic career where no two days are the same and your work truly matters, this role is for you.

Can you describe a particularly fulfilling project you've been involved with and explain what made it so rewarding?

Managing a high-recruiting site in a large vaccine study was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Successfully navigating a sponsor audit with no findings was a testament to our team's hard work and dedication. At Parexel, your efforts don't go unnoticed – recognition and support are part of our culture. This experience not only enhanced my skills but also reinforced the importance of our work in bringing new treatments to patients. It's moments like these that make me proud to be part of the Parexel team.

Why did you choose the Clinical Research industry?

I studied MSci in Biomedical Science with Pharmacology in Aberdeen. I have always wanted to work in the clinical research industry but not directly in the labs. I had an opportunity to do an industrial placement year as a study and site management undergraduate for a top pharmaceutical company where I had a chance to gain insight in how clinical trials are being managed and that is when I decided this is the right career for me!

Can you share a unique aspect of working at Parexel that sets it apart from your previous professional experiences?

Since joining Parexel I have been part of a very welcoming and supporting team where I was able to grow professionally and personally. I have had a great onboarding experience where I was provided with a great training that allowed me to be able to do my job confidently. I am also very lucky to be working with a supportive manager, clinical operation lead and CRAs who I can always rely on and ask for help if I need to. Parexel also encourages co-monitoring which has been so helpful when you have a lot of patient data to review, but also co-monitoring makes the monitoring experience more fun when you go out to the site with your colleagues, get to know them and feel more part of the team and it also makes the job feel less remote!

How do you work With Heart™ and what does it mean to you?

Working With Heart™ at Parexel means putting compassion and dedication at the core of everything we do. In practice, this translates to going the extra mile for our sites, providing clear communication and support to study staff, and always keeping the end goal – improving patients' lives – in focus. It's about creating a supportive environment for colleagues and maintaining the highest standards in our work because we understand the real-world impact of our efforts. Every data point we verify, every protocol we ensure is followed, is a step towards potentially life-changing treatments for patients.

How has Parexel supported your career growth?

Parexel has been instrumental in my professional development. They've provided me with opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects, like managing a large vaccine study with over 200 participants. This experience significantly enhanced my site management and organizational skills. Additionally, Parexel offers a robust training program and encourages us to expand our therapeutic knowledge by working in different areas. They also support co-monitoring, which not only helps manage workload but also fosters team collaboration and learning. The company's commitment to employee growth is evident in their continuous learning platforms and the supportive environment that encourages us to take on new challenges.

In what ways does the Parexel culture promote a flexible work environment?

During busy periods of time my line manager would check in with me and always ask about my workload. Parexel also encourages co-monitoring which has been so helpful in large vaccine studies but also co-monitoring makes the monitoring experience more fun when you go out to the site with your colleague and it also makes the job feel less remote.

How do you feel empowered throughout your job?

Empowerment at Parexel isn't just a concept – it's a daily reality. I'm trusted to manage high-stakes projects and make critical decisions. My voice is valued in team discussions, and I'm encouraged to propose improvements to our processes. The recognition for hard work is consistent and motivating, driving me to excel further. Importantly, I feel empowered to speak up about concerns or suggest areas for improvement, knowing that my input will be taken seriously. This culture of trust and respect enables me to take ownership of my work, contribute meaningfully to our goals, and continuously grow in my role.

What specific practices or mindsets do you and your colleagues adopt to ensure the highest standards of quality in your work?

Quality is very important in our job, as CRAs we make sure sites follows ALCOA+ principles which is critical to the quality and integrity in our studies. Therefore, as a CRA we need to have attention to detail and look out for any trends in data, capture any site findings and follow up on any data discrepancies.

In what specific ways does your position align with and reinforce Parexel's core values and behaviors?

Commit to Excellence: Ensuring protocol adherence, review data quality and integrity during monitoring visits, staying on top of our metrics such as following up on open issue, submitting our reports on time and keeping our sites as clean as possible. Win as one Team: Work closely with our sites, help them resolve open queries, provide them correct study training and help them meet deadlines. Support your CRA colleagues to help them meet deadlines too and work with other cross functional departments. Deliver "With Heart" and determination: Build relationships with the site staff, support your site staff with recruitment strategies to bring the breakthrough treatment to as many patients as possible. Own the outcome: Stay organized, submit your report on time, follow up on issue resolution and plan ahead.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

What is something most people don't know about you that would surprise them?