What is after MBBS? Course in Clinical Research in USA
Clinical research is the bread and butter of the healthcare industry. Studies conducted via course in clinical research can help develop safe and effective treatments. A graduate of Masters in Clinical Research can find jobs easily due to the steady expansion of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. A clinician with a masters in clinical research in USA sees promising growth, with more than the US salary average. Clinical Research job profile has been described in detail in this article.
Why pursue a course in clinical research from USA
Doctors who wish to pursue clinical research in the United States must graduate with a Masters in Clinical Research in USA from a recognized institution within the country. Some of the highest-ranking universities specializing in Clinical Research are situated within the United States. Therefore, admission to one of these universities requires a high GPA, relevant research experience, and GRE or GMAT scores. Due to COVID-19, the GRE and GMAT exam scores have been waived off for the current academic year. However, the verdict for future years is yet to come. During the course in clinical research studies, you will be able to specialize in different fields, depending upon interest and availability.
Innate curiosity leads physicians to pursue a course in clinical research. Clinical research is based on long-term lasting results and working towards the bigger picture. Performing clinical trials, analyzing data, and developing new treatment methodologies can only be accomplished by professionals with a drive to innovate. In addition, clinical research associates can network with other professionals in similar backgrounds across the globe.
Masters in clinical research in USA - Admission information
Many factors constitute your admission to a good university. We have provided the basic information for your path to clinical research here. Admission to your preferred university for clinical research studies is only step one. Securing the right visa is an important factor to take into account. The F-1 student visa is required for an Indian national to study in the United States. So, all prerequisites for the visa must be gathered well before applying. In addition, you must submit IELTS or TOEFL scores. This is proof of English language proficiency.
Jobs in Research
While Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is the most common job title within the clinical research field, a clinician can choose from a variety of jobs after completing a course in clinical research. Other common jobs of a clinical research professional are Clinical Research Coordinator, Biostatistician, and Clinical Research Scientist. Many graduates also opt for a profession in academia.
The common role of a clinical research professional is the collection, distribution, and storing of data. Responsibilities of other positions vary with experience, job title, and company. The United States is home to some of the most advanced research laboratories in the world. Therefore, there will be little to no difficulty finding the perfect clinical research career for a graduate from the United States.
US salary average for clinical research professionals
A quick search for clinical research vacancies on various job sites reveals an astonishing amount of available openings. LinkedIn USAlists around 37,700 jobs for clinical research professionals on their website. Other local websites like Glassdoor and Indeed USA have about 33,900 and 21,100 job openings respectively. The most common employers of clinical research professionals are Medix, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, IQVIA, and Cancer Research Institutes.
The US average salary of an entry-level research associate is 57,300 USD per annum. This is much higher than the national median average salary in the US. Moreover, the compound annual growth rate in salary is 7.6%. Within 10 years, most clinical research associates’ salaries average at 90,700 USD per annum.
Job Prospects after a course in clinical research
Since clinical research is a competitive field, employers offer competitive salaries and benefits. The work schedule is highly flexible within the clinical research field. Job satisfaction and job stability are high. The income of an individual pursuing clinical research is more than enough to leave behind savings at the end of the month.
An individual living in the United States spend around 930 USD per month, excluding rent. A family of four, on the other hand, spends around 3300 USD per month. The average clinical research associate can live comfortably in the United States with these values. Still confused about what is after MBBS?
Lifestyle and Working Environment in United States
The Indian population in the United States is very diverse. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that there are many renowned Indian research scientists working all over the country. In 2012, the Obama administration awarded four scientists of Indian origin for their extensive researches in varying fields. Of the four, two were leading researchers in the field of medicine. This is the perfect example to show that Indian immigrants have always fared well in the clinical research profession. In addition, it provides an incentive to pursue courses in clinical research.
Other important factors to consider are:
- Your financial situation – will you be able to afford the cost of tuition for the course duration? Will you be able to afford accommodation and other expenses? Will it be possible to secure loans or sponsorships?
- Current job satisfaction, salary, and lifestyle
- Field of interest, and ability to work in challenging environments – is a career in research the right fit for you? Which specialization are you focused on?
- Risk-Benefit analysis
If you can check off all or most of these factors on your list go for a course in clinical research and a career in clinical research is a step in the right direction. For expert advice on research careers, please fill the form below:
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