New Continuing Education Opportunities for Research Coordinators

In this new academic year, ITHS Education is re-launching our popular Clinical Research Education Series (CRES). The ITHS CRES is a continuing education and networking series for research coordinators and other research staff interested in clinical research topics. This 2-hour in‐person event is held between Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, and the University of Washington. The first half of each event focuses on the presentation of a clinical research topic area, with the second half featuring networking and interaction with fellow attendees to discuss presentation points, exchange ideas, and share experiences. “We are excited and looking forward to this new education series for research coordinators. This career needs to stay current on best practices in the field, and these workshops will help tremendously in our goal to continue to help research coordinators develop and stay connected,” shared Arti Shah, Director of Education at ITHS.

We are excited and looking forward to this new education series for research coordinators. This career needs to stay current on best practices in the field, and these workshops will help tremendously in our goal to continue to help research coordinators develop and stay connected

CRES is designed for research professionals of all levels of experience who perform research coordination duties in the health sciences fields at:

• Fred Hutch
• Harborview Medical Center
• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
• Seattle Children’s
• University of Washington
• Institutions throughout the five‐state WWAMI region

We are hosting our first CRES event on November 12, called Steps to Market Medical Devices or Diagnostic Tests. Research coordinators work on research studies involving drugs, medical devices, and diagnostics. However, they may not know what the steps needed to get a product into the medical setting. This presentation will provide research coordinators with an overview of the commercialization process, FDA requirements, and the types of expertise needed to take an idea from bench to patient.

At ITHS, we are dedicated to providing education, training and resources to faculty, research staff, and investigators who want to continue to build their research careers and help us speed discoveries into the clinic for the benefit of all patients. The successes of most clinical research studies often rely on research coordinators. They are instrumental in the research field and conduct complex protocols in compliance with good clinical practice guidelines. Research coordinators support, facilitate, and organize daily clinical trial activities alongside the principal investigator. “The role of the research coordinator is varied and complex. Staying current in the field can be a challenge. CRES is an opportunity to expand knowledge and close knowledge gaps. This also provides a wonderful opportunity to connect and learn from colleagues and peers. CRES is such an important education workshops that is useful to all research coordinators,” shared Amy Good, Implementation Manager, CTO, Research Coordination Center.

The successes of most clinical research studies often rely on research coordinators. They are instrumental in the research field and conduct complex protocols in compliance with good clinical practice guidelines. Research coordinators support, facilitate, and organize daily clinical trial activities alongside the principal investigator.

In addition to the CRES workshops, ITHS also supports an annual conference for research coordinators called Networking to Enhance Development (NED). NED is a day‐long professional development conference held in Seattle, WA. Participants attend both general sessions and choose relevant breakout sessions to expand their knowledge and skills. A catered lunch and collaborative activities offer coordinators a chance to develop contacts, share ideas, and learn from peers to help continue to expand their resources and careers. You can learn more by visiting the NED website. NED will be hosted on January 30, 2020. Stay tuned for details around this exciting event for research coordinators in Seattle and in the region!

For more information about CRES, please visit the website.