Training and development is critical in a professional’s career. Many Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) provide training to employees, but what makes Medpace’s program unique? Three leaders within our Training & Development department sit down to share insight into the program, covering topics like common misconceptions, success signifiers, mentorship, and everything in between.
Clinical Monitoring
Jessica Townsend, Sr. Director, Training & Development
Clinical Monitoring’s Training & Development group’s core goal is to qualify CRAs (Clinical Research Associates) to monitor clinical trials while upholding patient safety and data integrity to the highest standards. This is where PACE® training comes in. PACE®, or Professionals Achieving CRA Excellence, bridges the gap between learning and real-world application. Each CRA works with their Training & Development Manager, who provides coaching and preparation for key milestones throughout the PACE® program and beyond into the CRA role.
PACE® training challenges CRAs to progressively apply the critical monitoring concepts they learn in their instructor-led sessions and individual training through hands-on exercises, scenarios, mock site visits, and observations. While CRAs are given real-world practice on field-based visits accompanying a Training Visit Trainer, they are also paired with CRA Mentors who provide insight and preparation for key milestones CRAs can expect throughout the program.
At Medpace, career coaching doesn’t simply stop with an employee’s five-year anniversary or graduation from our PACE® training program. “One common misconception is that Training & Development is simply creating and delivering training courses to new hire CRAs,” explains Jessica. “While CRA education is a key part of what we do, our role extends far beyond that.” The Clinical Monitoring Training & Development team contributes to system builds, mock visit practices, process development documentation, and more. The team works closely with members of the Clinical Monitoring team and has the unique ability to translate real-world experiences from CRAs into training opportunities.
The clinical research industry is constantly evolving, and Clinical Monitoring’s training programs grow right alongside industry changes. They keep up with regulatory updates, system enhancements, and process improvements to deliver the best possible training elements to CRAs in and out of training.
One of Medpace’s greatest differentiators is our dedicated team of Training & Development staff that supervise and support CRAs. We maintain a trademarked, global, and comprehensive CRA training curriculum that effectively qualifies and equips CRAs to monitor trails successfully. The PACE® training program combines technical expertise, practical application, and ongoing support.
Sr. Director,
& Development
Site Activation & Maintenance
Sara Fromm, Director, Training & Development
Training & Development groups are the very foundations of Medpace’s operations. They are embedded into Medpace’s long-term strategy and carry out three core functions: fueling Medpace’s organic growth model, ensuring compliance and quality, and centralizing system development and maintenance. While Training & Development impacts the organization as a whole, more granularly, it is a critical tool for the development and long-term success of our associates. At any and every point in their career, associates have an ecosystem of support. Training & Development works to create an environment where “no employee has to navigate their role or career progression in isolation,” explains Sara.
Mentorship is key. Mentors are hand-picked based on a variety of qualifiers and continually assessed to provide associates with the highest possible level of professional development. “Our mentorship pairings are carefully curated to ensure high-quality instruction and support,” shares Sara. The structured mentorship program follows associates throughout their career, meeting their needs as new hires, leads, and new managers. Training models follow a continuous feedback loop, so both mentors and mentees work within a robust system to ensure education remains current and relevant.
Medpace Training & Development stands apart from other CROs because we do not just create and deliver training; we serve as an integrated engine for global operational excellence, risk mitigation, and software development. While traditional training teams focus strictly on onboarding and instructional design, our department acts as a strategic partner embedded in the company’s core operations.
Director, Training & Development
Clinical Trial Management
Lorie Nugent, Sr. Executive Director, Training & Development – Clinical Trial Management
At its core, across global regions and functional areas, Training & Development is about helping associates succeed. “Success is seeing people take what they’ve learned and apply it with confidence,” says Lorie.
No matter where our associates are located, Training & Development is committed to creating a connected and supportive learning experience that fosters engagement, consistency, and growth across the organization. Training & Development has created scalable education programs so that associates across different regions have consistent access to learning opportunities. They also recognize the value of different perspectives and experiences in global offices, and by bringing multiple viewpoints together, they are able to create cohesive learning experiences.
Working with departments throughout the organization, Training & Development is able to better understand departmental challenges and identify opportunities for training solutions. Because of this close collaboration, Training & Development can create individualized training programs, resources, process documents, and solutions that support associates on an individual level as well as Medpace as a whole.
One of the things that makes Medpace unique is our Training & Development team is deeply connected to the business. Our work spans the entire employee journey. We support individuals who are brand new to clinical research as well as experienced professionals joining Medpace and looking to grow their careers. No matter where someone is in their journey, our goal is to provide the knowledge, tools, and support they need to thrive.
Sr. Executive Director, Training & Development
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