Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - Kansas/Central

As a Clinical Research Associate - Oncology at ICON, your primary responsibilities include overseeing multiple oncology trials, mentoring junior team members, developing site startup documents, and representing study managers in key meetings. You will actively drive patient recruitment strategies and work alongside investigators and site staff to ensure timelines are met. Your role also involves collaborating with regional teams to support budget development and contract negotiations, making it critical for the success of clinical studies.

To qualify for the Clinical Research Associate - Oncology position at ICON, candidates must hold a minimum of a B.Sc., R.N., or an equivalent degree, preferably in Biological Sciences. Additionally, a minimum of two years of monitoring pharmaceutical industry clinical trials is required, along with one to three years' experience in monitoring oncology trials specifically. Applicants should also have knowledge of good clinical practice and local regulatory requirements.

The Clinical Research Associate - Oncology role at ICON requires candidates to travel up to 50% of the time. This travel may include visits to clinical trial sites to ensure compliance, support recruitment efforts, and foster relationships with investigators and site personnel. Your ability to manage travel effectively while ensuring the success of the trials will be crucial in this position.

Essential skills for a Clinical Research Associate - Oncology at ICON include strong communication and influencing abilities, time management, and analytical thinking. You should also possess a solid understanding of clinical trial systems and databases, including CTMS and EDC systems. Moreover, having a proactive attitude towards driving patient recruitment and the ability to collaborate in both remote and in-person settings will greatly benefit your success in this role.

ICON provides extensive support to its Clinical Research Associates, focusing on professional development and well-being. The company offers comprehensive benefits such as diverse health insurance options, retirement planning, and a Global Employee Assistance Programme. Additionally, there are training opportunities for skills enhancement, mentoring programs, and a culture that prioritizes inclusion and support for all employees.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of the oncology trials you've worked on, including your role, responsibilities, and any challenges you faced. Highlight how you contributed to patient recruitment strategies and compliance with study protocols, showing your understanding of the unique aspects of oncology research.

Discuss your strategies for maintaining open lines of communication with clinical site staff. You might mention regular meetings, updates, and feedback sessions as well as your adaptability in using various communication tools, whether remote or in person, to foster strong working relationships.

Explain your approach to prioritizing tasks, such as evaluating study timelines, deadlines, and the critical nature of each task. Mention specific organizational tools or techniques you employ, like to-do lists or project management software, to ensure that you always adhere to timelines without compromising the quality of your work.

Share your familiarity with good clinical practice, ICH guidelines, and local regulatory requirements. Provide examples of past experiences where you ensured compliance during trials and how you prepared for audits or inspections to demonstrate your commitment to high standards in research.

Choose a specific example that showcases your problem-solving abilities and readiness to adapt under pressure. Discuss how you assessed the situation, the steps you took to resolve the issue, and what you learned from the experience that could benefit future trials.

Discuss the various strategies you have implemented to enhance patient recruitment, such as engaging with site staff to develop outreach programs, creating informational materials, and leveraging local community resources. Highlighting any success stories can add weight to your answer.

Talk about your conflict resolution skills and your approach to addressing disagreements. Explain how you encourage open dialogue, seek to understand each party's perspective, and find compromises that align everyone's goals, ultimately fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

Describe your familiarity with different CTMS platforms, outlining your hands-on experience and how you have utilized such systems to streamline processes, track progress, and maintain documentation for trials. Providing examples of how this has contributed to successful studies will reflect positively on your tech-savvy expertise.

Elaborate on the strategies you employ to maintain data integrity, such as regular audits, double-checking data entry, and training site staff on proper data handling techniques. Connecting your actions to real-world outcomes can reinforce your capability and diligence.

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s mission and values, emphasizing how your career goals align with ICON’s commitment to advancing healthcare through research. Highlight your passion for oncology research and the opportunity to impact patient lives positively.