Meet Kyle, Senior Clinical
Research Associate

I appreciate this question because there's no typical "day in the life" of a Clinical Research Associate (CRA). Our role demands flexibility and strong time management skills. Most days, I'm traveling to site visits by air or car, typically spending at least 3 days a week on-site, sometimes more. The CRA role differs from a standard 9-5 job. Some days begin with administrative tasks at home before I travel to a different city. Once at my accommodation, I prepare for the next day's site visit, often working into the evening to catch up on communications and tasks. During site visits, I perform one of four types of monitoring activities. Afterward, I'm usually en route to the next location, aiming to reach my next destination with enough time to review emails and start my visit report. I reserve Fridays for administrative work, focusing on reports, correspondence, and other tasks I couldn't address during site visits. As a CRA, I'm always available to my sites for support, whether through calls, virtual meetings, emails, or last-minute on-site visits. In clinical research, urgency is common. As traveling CRAs, we must discern between immediate priorities and tasks that can wait. This ever-changing landscape is what makes the CRA role so engaging and rewarding.

Success as a CRA requires a diverse skill set. Flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, effective time management, and sharp problem-solving abilities are all crucial. However, I've found that exceptional organizational skills are the cornerstone of excelling in this role. In clinical research, thorough documentation is paramount. I've developed a habit of comprehensive record-keeping, which has proven invaluable. Proactivity is also key to staying ahead in this dynamic field. To enhance my efficiency, I leverage digital tools like OneNote. This helps me prepare for monitoring visits, manage my travel schedule, and document step-by-step system processes for future reference. For instance, I maintain detailed guides on generating various system reports. Time management is critical, given the demanding nature of our work. I structure my calendar with clear start and end dates for tasks, ensuring I allocate my time effectively across multiple responsibilities.

Additionally, I maintain a well-organized system for my email inbox, OneNote files, and digital folders. This approach ensures that all communications, documents, and notes are readily accessible when needed, saving valuable time and reducing stress in high-pressure situations. These organizational strategies have not only improved my productivity but also enhanced the quality and consistency of my work as a CRA.