Senior Clinical Research Associate- Kansas (REMOTE)

at  Merck Sharp Dohme

JOB DESCRIPTION

The role is accountable for performance and compliance for assigned protocols and sites in a country.
Under the oversight of the CRA manager or CRD, the person ensures compliance of study conduct with ICH/GCP and country regulations, our company’s policies and procedures, quality standards and adverse event reporting requirements internally and externally.
Acts as primary site contact and site manager throughout all phases of a clinical research study, taking overall responsibility of allocated sites.
Actively develops and expands the territory for clinical research, finding and developing new sites. Participates in internal meetings and workstreams as SME for monitoring processes and systems.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develops strong site relationships and ensures continuity of site relationships through all phases of the trial.
• Performs clinical study site management/monitoring activities in compliance with ICH-GCP, Sponsor SOPs, Local Laws & Regulations, Protocol, Site Monitoring Plan and associated documents.
• Gains an in-depth understanding of the study protocol and related procedures.
• Coordinates & manages various tasks in collaboration with other sponsor roles to achieve Site Ready.
• Participates & provides inputs on site selection and validation activities.
• Performs remote and on-site monitoring & oversight activities using various tools to ensure:

o Data generated at site are complete, accurate and unbiased.o Subjects’ right, safety and well-being are protected.

• Conducts site visits including but not limited to validation visits, initiation visits, monitoring visits, close-out visits and records clear, comprehensive and accurate visit & non-visit contact reports appropriately in a timely manner.
• Collects, reviews, and monitors required regulatory documentation for study start-up, study maintenance and study close-out.
• Communicates with Investigators and site staff on issues related to protocol conduct, recruitment, retention, protocol deviations, regulatory documentation, site audits/inspections and overall site performance.
• Identifies, assesses and resolves site performance, quality or compliance problems and escalates per defined CRA Escalation Pathway as appropriate in collaboration with CRA Manager, CRM, TA Head and CRD as needed.
• Works in partnership internally with GCTO country operations, finance, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, legal and regional operations, HQ functional areas and externally with vendors and IRB/IECs and Regulatory Authorities in support of assigned sites.
• Manages and maintains information and documentation in CTMS, eTMF and various other systems as appropriate and per timelines.
• Contributes strongly to CRA team knowledge by acting as process Subject Matter Expert (SME), sharing best practices, making recommendations for continuous improvement and providing training as appropriate/required.
• Supports and/or leads audit/inspection activities as needed.
• Following the country strategy defined by CRD and CRA manager, contributes to the identification of new potential sites and works closely with them to develop strong clinical research capabilities.
• Mentors / buddies junior CRAs on process/study requirements and performs co-monitoring visits where appropriate.
• Could perform Quality control visits if delegated by other roles and trained appropriately.

Extent of Travel

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 65%-75% of working time.

Expected travelling ~2-3 days/week.

• Current driver’s license preferred (Must have in certain countries).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

50%

EMPLOYEES WORKING IN ROLES THAT THE COMPANY DETERMINES REQUIRE ROUTINE COLLABORATION WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, SUCH AS CUSTOMER-FACING COMMERCIAL, OR RESEARCH-BASED ROLES, WILL BE EXPECTED TO COMPLY NOT ONLY WITH COMPANY POLICY BUT ALSO WITH POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY SUCH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS (FOR EXAMPLE, A REQUIREMENT TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 IN ORDER TO ACCESS A FACILITY OR MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS). PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT, AS PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AND AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION OF YOUR JOB IS TO CALL ON EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS WHO REQUIRE VACCINATION TO ENTER THEIR PREMISES OR ENGAGE IN FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS, THEN YOUR EMPLOYMENT MAY POSE AN UNDUE BURDEN TO BUSINESS OPERATIONS, IN WHICH CASE YOU MAY NOT BE OFFERED EMPLOYMENT, OR YOUR EMPLOYMENT COULD BE TERMINATED. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT, WHERE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR POSITIONS, SUCH AS IN GLOBAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH, WHERE THE COMPANY DETERMINES IN ITS DISCRETION THAT THE NATURE OF THE ROLE PRESENTS AN INCREASED RISK OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION.

Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develops strong site relationships and ensures continuity of site relationships through all phases of the trial.
• Performs clinical study site management/monitoring activities in compliance with ICH-GCP, Sponsor SOPs, Local Laws & Regulations, Protocol, Site Monitoring Plan and associated documents.
• Gains an in-depth understanding of the study protocol and related procedures.
• Coordinates & manages various tasks in collaboration with other sponsor roles to achieve Site Ready.
• Participates & provides inputs on site selection and validation activities.
• Performs remote and on-site monitoring & oversight activities using various tools to ensure