Workforce Development Program

Jefferson’s mission is to improve lives by providing industry-leading health care, innovative scientific discovery, and by preparing students for the jobs of the future. Clinical research is the intersection where scientific discovery touches human lives and creates improvements through the development of new medications and technologies. The clinical research industry is essential to generating advances in healthcare and is experiencing significant growth. 

Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) are crucial to the success of clinical research, and job opportunities are plentiful. Clinical research is a career path that offers countless and diverse employment opportunities, with enormous growth potential, but often these paths are not visible or accessible. In response to insufficient supply and increasing demand for CRPs, Jefferson has established a Workforce Development Program that will address the critical need for well-trained, entry level CRPs. The aim of the program is to reduce the barriers to entry into clinical research professions for those that have little to no experience, while also creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve.

About the Program

Program directors, in collaboration with departments performing and administrating all aspects of clinical research, will interview and hire a cohort of individuals that are naïve to clinical research, into entry-level positions.   These employees will work closely with a mentor within the hiring department, and go through a clinical research education and training program, with increasing levels of work responsibilities over time.  The program will employ a blended learning approach, including independent study, classroom training, webinars and on-the-job training and shadowing.  Proficiency will be measured against the core competencies set forth by the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trials Competency, and on-the-job performance.

For questions specific to this program, please contact Kathleen O'Malley, Director, Education and Training.