With a robust background in public health, Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Joe Grider has spent his career in pursuit of improving clinical trials from an individual and systemic level.
Laying the Groundwork
While working towards his undergrad degree in public health, Joe felt called towards clinical research. The combination of improving patient outcomes and the collaborative nature of research was compelling, and he found a home at this intersection as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC). “Public health can be very broad,” Joe says. “I really wanted to find a role that impacts patients but also pushes science forward.”
He dove into learning the ropes of clinical trials, from scheduling labs to ensuring all study procedures are complete to face-to-face time with patients. Joe spent the early years of his CRC career laying the foundation for what would become a larger endeavor.
As Joe journeyed deeper into the world of clinical research, his next step became more and more clear. He was approaching a level of skill proficiency that left him looking for more, and that’s when the CRA role came into view. The significant differences in responsibilities, namely traveling and creating site relationships, piqued his interest. Joe was ready to pivot into a new role, and he joined Medpace as a CRA.
CRA Inauguration
Upon becoming a CRA, Joe spent the first few months of his tenure in the PACE® training completing training visits and shadowing seasoned CRAs. Jumping into a series of new challenges doesn’t come without struggle, though. Joe’s support team – a Training & Development Manager and a mentor – helped him work through the uncomfortable beginnings and quickly became an integral tool as he learned the role.
Joe quickly noticed his CRC training emerging up in unexpected ways. While CRAs and CRCs tend to work closely together at sites, the intricate connections between role duties can sometimes be difficult to see. When working with sites, Joe’s ability to facilitate communication between CRO and site has allowed him to foster strong relationships. “I have been in their shoes and know what it takes to be a CRC,” Joe shares. “My experience allows me to resonate with site staff.”
Mastering Public Health
After about a year as a CRA, Joe decided to return to school for his Master of Public Health. From here, he expanded his understanding of how public health informs clinical research, and vice versa. “Throughout my MPH program, I focused on clinical research but also accessibility to healthcare in general, focusing on underserved and underrepresented patient populations,” Joe explains.
With an MPH, Joe approaches trials with a broader understanding. As a CRA who visits sites around the United States, this renewed perspective has allowed him to operate with a deeper appreciation and consideration for the impact of trials on patient populations and the role he plays in this process.
Your Background, Your Future
CRAs at Medpace come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, and Joe holds his time as a CRC in high regard. “Although the [CRA] role is different, your CRC experience can lay the groundwork to be a successful CRA,” he says. From robust training to foundational mentorship teams to a peer support structure, CRAs at Medpace are set up to succeed not only in their professional development but within the greater context of clinical trials.
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