01-14-2016, 06:38 PM
Few skills that you need for being in Clinical Research field ( I worked as a research assistant since 2006 till now @ Emory)
-SPSS software ( This is so key because this will help you in doing basic statistical analysis)
- Pubmed/medline/database search skills - Most of good university health science libraries offer free sessions on mastering this skills. If you database search skills and strategies are superb then doctors love to keep you in team. For your info- this is not easy as a google search. There is a thorough scientific method to learn here and you need to be trained.
- Citation software - Zotoro and End note. ( Any researcher will know the value of knowing these software because it is a very important aspect of clinical research).
- CITI certification - Get certified for human and non human research. It is free and it is valued in the research community.
If you want to do bench lab work then getting Animal handling certification will help a lot because most of wet lab research that involves handling animal models and tissues need people who knows how to keep, feed and handle animal models.
Finally - Good scientific writing skills. When you send your resume it is important that you send a copy of your scientific writing sample. Resume and cover letters are not enough. A good writer is always needed in research teams since you will be able to submit proposals and eventually write your own papers.
Having all these under your belt besides your medical degree will definitely help you get a Research Assistant
position with a principle investigator. Having a medical degree is not enough to prove your research skills. These are current skills needed by good universities and it will help you connect with a doctor who need help with her/his research.
-SPSS software ( This is so key because this will help you in doing basic statistical analysis)
- Pubmed/medline/database search skills - Most of good university health science libraries offer free sessions on mastering this skills. If you database search skills and strategies are superb then doctors love to keep you in team. For your info- this is not easy as a google search. There is a thorough scientific method to learn here and you need to be trained.
- Citation software - Zotoro and End note. ( Any researcher will know the value of knowing these software because it is a very important aspect of clinical research).
- CITI certification - Get certified for human and non human research. It is free and it is valued in the research community.
If you want to do bench lab work then getting Animal handling certification will help a lot because most of wet lab research that involves handling animal models and tissues need people who knows how to keep, feed and handle animal models.
Finally - Good scientific writing skills. When you send your resume it is important that you send a copy of your scientific writing sample. Resume and cover letters are not enough. A good writer is always needed in research teams since you will be able to submit proposals and eventually write your own papers.
Having all these under your belt besides your medical degree will definitely help you get a Research Assistant
position with a principle investigator. Having a medical degree is not enough to prove your research skills. These are current skills needed by good universities and it will help you connect with a doctor who need help with her/his research.