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Clinical Research Associate
The traveling auditor who keeps trial sites compliant and data clean.
Also known as: CRA · Clinical Monitor · Site Monitor
Salary band (US)
$85k–$130k
Salary band (UK)
£45k–£75k
Typical YoE
2–6 years before senior CRA
What the role is
Clinical Research Associates monitor investigator sites on behalf of the sponsor or CRO. They verify that protocol procedures are followed, source data matches the eCRF, and adverse events are reported on time. The job blends GCP fluency, communication with site staff, and meticulous attention to source documents.
A typical day
- Pre-monitoring prep: review site visit report from last visit, flag open items
- On-site source data verification against eCRF for 10–30 subjects
- Investigator meeting on protocol deviations and enrollment lag
- Drug accountability and IP storage check
- Draft monitoring visit report within 10 business days
Required skills
ICH-GCPSource data verificationEDC systems (Medidata, Veeva)Protocol interpretationSite relationship management
Certifications that matter
Career ladder
Junior
CRA I
This role
CRA II
Next
Senior CRA → Lead CRA → Clinical Trial Manager
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