- What should your clinical research coordinator resume include?
- How can you create a professional summary?
- How should you describe your work experience as a clinical research coordinator?
- Include a fitting clinical research coordinator resume education and certifications section
- Which key skills are relevant for a clinical research coordinator resume?
- How to select the most impactful clinical research coordinator resume template
- Copyable clinical research coordinator resume example
- Key takeaways for writing a clinical research coordinator resume
Are you struggling to write a clinical research coordinator resume? Find some inspiration with our step-by-step resume guide and example. We’ve done the research to determine the best resume practices, so you don’t have to.
When managing a clinical trial, you’re meticulous about collecting, analyzing, and documenting data. Use the same level of detail on your resume when applying for a new job as a clinical research coordinator. You can follow this how-to guide and example to create a resume that shows off your clinical research expertise.
This guide and example will show you how to write a clinical research coordinator resume. We’ll go over:
What information to include on your resume
How to describe your experience and education
The right skills to include on your resume
Insights about the best template to choose
What should your clinical research coordinator resume include?
Your resume should provide an overview of your experience in clinical trials and research studies. It should show an employer your ability to coordinate trials by recruiting participants, managing research teams, and collaborating with healthcare professionals. Your resume should also emphasize your knowledge of regulatory compliance and ethical standards.
Make sure your resume includes the following elements:
A resume header with your contact information
A professional summary
A work experience section
An education section
A resume skills section
How can you create a professional summary?
Your professional summary should grab a hiring manager’s attention, inspiring them to read the rest of your resume. In a few sentences, describe the skills, qualities, or strengths that set you apart from other clinical research coordinators. For example, you may emphasize your experience with a specific type of trial or your vast knowledge of regulatory requirements.
Under your summary, you can include a bulleted list of your areas of expertise, as we’ve done in the resume example. Segment your core competencies into different areas, such as research and development, clinical trial management, and technical skills. This format makes it easy for a hiring manager to learn about your top qualifications.
Passionate research / clinical professional adept in all facets of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and proposal. Advanced leadership, investigation, and administrative talents backed by academic and hands-on experience in a wide range of healthcare and analytical / laboratory environments; trained and certified in Human Subject Research (CITI). Expertly review, prepare, and present medical records and research findings with accuracy, comprehensiveness, and clarity. Reputation for sound, ethical decision making that supports independent, unbiased study management
How should you describe your work experience as a clinical research coordinator?
Your work history section should describe your experience with managing clinical trials, including recruiting patients, collecting data, and maintaining documentation. It should also include details about the types of trials you’ve coordinated, such as drug trials.
List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include all the clinical research jobs you’ve had, as well as related healthcare roles. Briefly describe your duties in each role, emphasizing the results of your work. When possible, use quantifiable data to measure your impact as a coordinator. For instance, you can highlight enrollment targets, completion rates, or budgets for the trials you’ve managed.
Expert Tip
Focus on your achievements
A hiring manager wants to know whether you can lead successful studies and trials. Use bullet points to describe your past achievements in other jobs. For example, our resume highlights the applicant’s success in using global marketing to recruit patients for studies, leading the university to have high enrollment rates.
Clinical Endovascular Research Coordinator at the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Buffalo, NY 2021 - present
Propel clinical studies and trials of endovascular device products, coordinating with a diverse community of medical professionals, hospital staff, patients, and product / company sponsors as PI's key study contact to collect data and help R&D evolve products for improved patient outcomes.
Coordinate Phases I, II, III of trial management; organize and adopt changes in regulatory protocols with CRO.
Evaluate patient qualifications, discuss protocols, secure Informed Consent, and arrange follow-up visits.
Perform electronic database captures and eTMF reconciliation planning. Review trial documentation, sources, and CRFs for accuracy, including those for SIV, cGCP, ICH, SOP, FDA compliance, and device accountability; report SAEs, AEs, UADE, and PDs per IRB and sponsor guidelines.
Communicate updates to sponsors during weekly conference calls and presentations.
Helped steer global marketing; enrolled more than 150 aneurysm and high-risk carotid patients (excluding screen fails), enabling the university to rank among the highest for enrollment across multiple study sites.
Maintained meticulous oversight of documentation, ensuring success of FDA audits.
Initiated productive discussions with national PIs and sponsors on importance of IT during trials, leading to implementation of new money and labor-saving tools.
Garnered several letters of appreciation for outstanding professionalism and research leadership.
Research Assistant (Internship) at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Buffalo, NY 2020 - 2021
Performed preparation, review, abstraction, and follow-up of research files for ovarian cancer survival study (HOPE).
Administered comprehensive review of medical records for epidemiological research utilizing EMR.
Liaised with care providers in collection of medical histories and data.
Expertly managed and maintained highly confidential information, facilitating smooth implementation of all phases of study.
Collaborated with wide range of specialists and administrators, effectively communicating with all levels of staff.
Include a fitting clinical research coordinator resume education and certifications section
Your education section can show a hiring manager you have the right academic background for a clinical research position. Beyond listing your degrees, you can include detailed information about your studies in relevant fields, such as health or natural sciences.
Follow these tips as you create your education section:
List your education in reverse order. Begin with your highest degree, such as a master’s degree in clinical research. List your degrees before certifications.
Showcase your research. Our example resume provides details about the applicant’s research they completed while in school. If you’re a recent graduate, this research can supplement your limited work experience.
Highlight certifications. Mention any relevant certifications you’ve earned outside of formal education, such as the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification.
Master of Science in Clinical Research at the University at Buffalo, New York, NY
Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
Inorganic Chemistry I/II, Physics I/II), Graduate Neurophysiology, Graduate Forensic Science, Phytomedicinal Chemistry, Calculus I/II
Which key skills are relevant for a clinical research coordinator resume?
Your resume should have a skills section listing your core competencies, such as data analysis and quality assurance. However, don’t confine your skills to one section of your resume. Mention your skills in other places, particularly in your professional summary and work experience sections. For instance, our example resume highlights the applicant’s communication skills in a bullet point about collaborating with specialists and administrators.
Additionally, review the job description to ensure you’re including skills that an employer has specifically requested. These keywords can also help you improve your resume for an applicant tracking system (ATS), which an employer may use to scan resumes. (For more information on mastering the ATS, check out our article on resume ATS optimization.)
Some key skills you may include on your resume are:
Research and development
Clinical trial management
Quality assurance
Regulatory compliance
Patient recruitment
Data analysis
Project management
How to select the most impactful clinical research coordinator resume template
Choose a clean, professional template for your clinical research coordinator resume. Format your resume with bold section headers for your work experience, education, and skills. Use bullet points to make it easy for a hiring manager to review details about your past research and clinical trial management experience.
Limit your resume to one or two pages, even if you have many years of clinical research experience. Avoid using a small font or crowded margins to include more information. You want your resume to provide enough information to interest a hiring manager without overwhelming them.
You can find a high-quality template by browsing the options in our resume builder. If you want more inspiration, you can also take a look at over 100 resume examples we have available.
Copyable clinical research coordinator resume example
Summary example
Passionate research / clinical professional adept in all facets of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and proposal. Advanced leadership, investigation, and administrative talents backed by academic and hands-on experience in a wide range of healthcare and analytical / laboratory environments; trained and certified in Human Subject Research (CITI). Expertly review, prepare, and present medical records and research findings with accuracy, comprehensiveness, and clarity. Reputation for sound, ethical decision making that supports independent, unbiased study management
Employment history example
Clinical Endovascular Research Coordinator at the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Buffalo, NY 2021 - present
Propel clinical studies and trials of endovascular device products, coordinating with a diverse community of medical professionals, hospital staff, patients, and product / company sponsors as PI's key study contact to collect data and help R&D evolve products for improved patient outcomes.
Coordinate Phases I, II, III of trial management; organize and adopt changes in regulatory protocols with CRO.
Evaluate patient qualifications, discuss protocols, secure Informed Consent, and arrange follow-up visits.
Perform electronic database captures and eTMF reconciliation planning. Review trial documentation, sources, and CRFs for accuracy, including those for SIV, cGCP, ICH, SOP, FDA compliance, and device accountability; report SAEs, AEs, UADE, and PDs per IRB and sponsor guidelines.
Communicate updates to sponsors during weekly conference calls and presentations.
Helped steer global marketing; enrolled more than 150 aneurysm and high-risk carotid patients (excluding screen fails), enabling the university to rank among the highest for enrollment across multiple study sites.
Maintained meticulous oversight of documentation, ensuring success of FDA audits.
Initiated productive discussions with national PIs and sponsors on importance of IT during trials, leading to implementation of new money and labor-saving tools.
Garnered several letters of appreciation for outstanding professionalism and research leadership.
Research Assistant (Internship) at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Buffalo, NY 2020 - 2021
Performed preparation, review, abstraction, and follow-up of research files for ovarian cancer survival study (HOPE).
Administered comprehensive review of medical records for epidemiological research utilizing EMR.
Liaised with care providers in collection of medical histories and data.
Expertly managed and maintained highly confidential information, facilitating smooth implementation of all phases of study.
Collaborated with wide range of specialists and administrators, effectively communicating with all levels of staff.
Education example
Master of Science in Clinical Research at the University at Buffalo, New York, NY
Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
Inorganic Chemistry I/II, Physics I/II), Graduate Neurophysiology, Graduate Forensic Science, Phytomedicinal Chemistry, Calculus I/II
Skills example
Research & Development (R&D)
Clinical Data Management & Reporting, Data Collection / Analysis / Validation,
Regulatory Compliance
Neurosurgery / Endovascular (Endovascular Device Intervention)
OB/GYN, Women's Health Care
Vital Sign Assessment
Fusion, Medtronic-Oracle RDC Onsite 5.1, 6.0, Phase Forward, Inform Gtm, Insight, Mednet, Oculus 2.1 imaging, Covidien RDC, iMedidata (RAVE), RedCap 5.7.3, Intelemage, EDES, Bioclinica, Clindex, CTMS, MENTICE
Key takeaways for writing a clinical research coordinator resume
A clinical research coordinator resume should highlight your knowledge of clinical trials and your leadership skills.
You can include detailed information about your academic studies and research, especially if you have limited experience.
Use resume keywords, such as clinical trial management and regulatory compliance, to optimize your resume for the ATS.
