Clinical Research Coordinator - Medicine

Clinical Research Coordinator

The Department of Medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA is seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator. The Clinical Research Coordinator will provide dedicated operational and administrative support to the Principal Investigator and study team in the coordination, execution, and ongoing management of clinical research studies within an academic medical center environment. This position will support the full lifecycle of clinical research activity, with particular emphasis on patient identification, recruitment, screening, enrollment coordination, study documentation, regulatory readiness, data collection, and communication with patients, clinical teams, research offices, sponsors, and institutional partners.

The role is designed to strengthen the Principal Investigator's ability to activate, manage, and successfully enroll patients into clinical studies while ensuring that research activities are conducted in accordance with approved protocols, institutional requirements, human subjects protection standards, Good Clinical Practice expectations, and applicable federal, state, and University policies.

The Clinical Research Coordinator will serve as a key operational liaison between the Principal Investigator, clinical care teams, research participants, the Clinical Trials Office, IRB/HRPP, sponsors, and other internal and external stakeholders. The position requires strong organization, careful documentation, clear communication, patient-centered professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple study-related priorities in a highly regulated clinical and academic setting.

Core Responsibilities

• Patient Identification, Screening, and Recruitment
• Participant Communication and Enrollment Support
• Study Visit Coordination
• Protocol and Regulatory Support
• Data Collection and Documentation
• Operational Coordination for the Principal Investigator
• Compliance and Quality Assurance
• Collaboration with Clinical and Research Teams
• Study Start-Up and Maintenance Activities
• Recruitment Performance Tracking
• Participant Retention and Follow-Up
• Budget and Resource Awareness
• Training and Certification Tracking
• Professional Representation of the Research Program

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting clinical research studies in an academic medical center or health system environment. Familiarity with IRB processes, human subjects research requirements, Good Clinical Practice, clinical trial documentation, EMR workflows, REDCap or similar data capture tools, CTMS systems, and sponsor or CRO communication. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, professional communication, and the ability to coordinate work across clinical, research, and administrative teams.

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Bachelor's Degree; 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted. Required

Certifications:

None

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $86,400.00. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.