Research Coordinator Jobs in Physician Assistants

🔬 Understanding Research Coordinators in Physician Assistants

A Research Coordinator in the field of Physician Assistants is a pivotal role in higher education and clinical research settings. This position involves overseeing research studies that explore the training, practice, and impact of Physician Assistants (PAs), who are advanced healthcare professionals trained to diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications under physician supervision. Unlike general research roles, those specializing in Physician Assistants focus on studies evaluating PA efficacy in primary care, surgical assistance, or emerging areas like telehealth delivery.

The meaning of a Research Coordinator here centers on managing the lifecycle of research projects from inception to publication. For instance, they might coordinate multi-site trials assessing how PAs improve patient access in underserved regions, drawing on data from programs like the U.S.-based Physician Assistant Education Association studies showing PAs handling 89 million visits annually. To learn more about the broader Research Coordinator position, explore foundational duties applicable across specialties.

Historically, the Research Coordinator role evolved in the 1970s alongside the growth of clinical trials regulated by bodies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), with PA research surging since the profession's formalization at Duke University in 1965. Today, these coordinators ensure studies meet ethical standards, contributing to evidence-based expansion of PA scopes of practice globally.

📋 Key Responsibilities

Day-to-day tasks include developing study protocols, recruiting PA participants or patients, collecting and analyzing data using tools like REDCap software, and preparing reports for peer-reviewed journals. They liaise with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for approvals and monitor compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

• Screen and enroll study subjects, often PAs or patients under their care.
• Manage budgets and timelines for grants from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Train teams on data integrity and adverse event reporting.
• Collaborate with PAs as co-investigators to refine research questions, such as PA roles in rural healthcare.

In academic settings, they support faculty in publishing findings that influence PA curricula, with recent studies (2023) indicating PAs reduce physician workloads by 30% in team-based care.

🎓 Required Qualifications and Skills

To secure Research Coordinator jobs in Physician Assistants, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in public health, nursing, or a related field; a master's in clinical research or Physician Assistant studies is highly preferred. Research focus should emphasize healthcare delivery, PA education, or clinical trial methodology.

Preferred experience includes 2-3 years coordinating studies, with publications in journals like the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, or securing small grants. Essential skills and competencies encompass:

• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS) for data analysis.
• Excellent communication for stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) for patient privacy.
• Project management certification like PMP adds value.

Actionable advice: Gain hands-on experience through clinical research jobs or volunteering in PA clinics to build a competitive resume.

📚 Definitions

To clarify key terms in this niche:

• Physician Assistants (PAs): Licensed clinicians with master's-level training who practice medicine with reduced supervision, performing 40% of U.S. physician duties.
• Institutional Review Board (IRB): Ethics committee approving research to protect human subjects.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP): International ethical and scientific quality standard for trials.
• Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC): Credential from ACRP validating expertise.

💼 Career Opportunities and Trends

Demand for Research Coordinator jobs in Physician Assistants is growing 15% annually (per 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics projections for clinical research roles), driven by PA workforce expansion to meet global healthcare shortages. Universities like Yale School of Medicine actively hire for PA-focused studies on interprofessional teams.

Professionals often advance to research directors or pursue PhDs. Stay updated via resources like postdoctoral research roles.

📝 Ready to Advance Your Career?

Explore higher ed jobs, refine your application with higher ed career advice, search university jobs, or post openings via post a job on AcademicJobs.com. These roles offer fulfilling paths in advancing Physician Assistants research.