Clinical research is a competitive industry, and getting experience when you’re new to the field can be tricky. At Medpace, our Associate Clinical Trial Manager (aCTM) track is a career path dedicated to creating an accessible environment for new graduates and early career professionals to gain experience. Within about a year of joining the aCTM program, associates will transition into the Clinical Trial Manager role, which allows opportunities for study and people leadership responsibilities. Vanessa Turkson, Clinical Trial Manager (CTM), went through the aCTM track when she joined Medpace. In this Q&A, Vanessa shares her experience in this career path and the lasting impact it’s made on her career.
Describe your experience in the aCTM role.
The aCTM role was a very comprehensive training role that enabled my professional development in Clinical Trial Management. As a newcomer to clinical research, undergoing the aCTM training curriculum was extremely beneficial to learning the ins and outs of the indus try. While assuming the role of a Project Coordinator and completing daily tasks on studies, the curriculum provided a thorough introduction and walk-through of all the pieces of a clinical trial like regulatory affairs, clinical monitoring, data management, and much more. I was in the aCTM role for a little over a year and still benefit from those foundational trainings today. I love being able to go back and reference various topics from the trainings as they become relevant to my current study assignments.
What is one thing you learned during your aCTM training that surprised you and/or has stuck with you in your CTM role?
On the more practical side – if you’re running into what seems to be a complex or unique issue, chances are someone else around you has already worked through a similar problem. Ask around and you might get a bit of insight to make your day easier!
Why did you join Medpace as an aCTM?
My PhD is in pharmacology, and my dissertation research studied the relationship between a genetic variant and lipid metabolism. While completing my graduate training, I was always very interested in the drug development process and specifically fascinated with how any efforts made in the laboratory have the potential to positively change health outcomes of people years into the future. I joined Medpace as an aCTM in the metabolic therapeutic area with the desire to help play an essential role in bridging the gap between a scientific idea and a therapeutic reality.
The aCTM track is a unique path within our Training & Development program. How has your experience as an aCTM impacted your career in clinical research?
The aCTM track has truly propelled my career in clinical research. As someone starting off with very little clinical research experience, there’s a lot you need to learn about the industry, so being in a role that gives you an in-depth training while getting first-hand experience on the job allows for accelerated growth and opportunity and is really valuable to your professional development.
What is one thing you want candidates who are considering the aCTM track to know about the role?
Coming from a lab background, be prepared to reorient yourself in the role! Clinical Trial Management is different than conducting research, but many of the skills (organization, attention to detail, time management, problem-solving) are very transferrable.
Medpace has a wide global presence of aCTMs and CTMs. Describe how global teams work together in training and beyond.
As an aCTM, you are assigned to a few studies while learning about the clinical trial management. This allows you to immerse yourself in the responsibilities of managing a trial successfully alongside very experienced CTMs and Project Coordinators and build lasting professional relationships. You are also assigned an aCTM mentor, a great point of contact for any questions about the aCTM experience. Additionally, your supervisor and Clinical Operations Line Manager are both very invested in your success, support you in your study assignments, and ensure you are on track to becoming a great CTM.
Transition into Clinical Research
Join our global team of Associate Clinical Trial Managers and start gaining hands-on experience to make a difference in clinical research.
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