Clinical Data Analyst Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Data Analyst Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

If you need to know what make up the job description of a clinical data analyst, this post provides the information. It provides in detail the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that usually make up the clinical data analyst work description.

This post also reveals the requirements that most employers expect applicants for the clinical data analyst job to meet to be hired, so you can better prepare yourself for the position if you are applying for it.
.
Please, read on:

What Does a Clinical Data Analyst Do?

The clinical data analyst is primarily responsible for ensuring that data collected through clinical trials is sound, relevant, and accurate and reliable.

They develop and manage database, generally in a clinical setting or in relation to clinical trials for healthcare organizations.

They are employed by healthcare associations, hospitals, medical facilities, physicians, pharmaceuticals, etc.

The clinical data analyst job description entails gathering, reviewing, and organizing medical trial results; meticulously checking and double-checking data used to ensure the numbers been worked with are valid and accurate.

It also involves ensuring adherence to Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP), and established organizational processes.

Clinical data analysts apply fundamental and advanced knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, and medical chemistry to understand the laboratory data (chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and urinalysis) and pharmacology data to identify data issues to ensure additional data analysis and reporting by other line functions accurately.

They are responsible for conducting analysis of the pharmaceutical, biochemistry, and laboratory data (depending on where they work), utilizing various analytical methods using the provided software (e.g. Statistical Analysis System/SAS software like SAS/STAT/SQL/Graph).

In performing their job, they also develop and analyze the clinical reports consisting of tables, listings, and graphs that are generated from the available large databases.

The clinical data analyst work description also entails performing statistical analysis of clinical trial data, documenting and analyzing the data, and communicating with the data management and analytical laboratory personnel to ensure that any outlier data, data issues and discrepancies are resolved when found.

It also involves reviewing and validating reports generated by other team members to support the reporting and analysis of clinical trial data.

Clinical data analysts are responsible for the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of large scale clinical data for analysis and reporting; preparing reports to assist the management team in problem analysis, as well as submitting recommendations for resolution.

To work as a clinical data analyst requires a minimum of an Associate degree, but most often, a Bachelor’s degree with focus on life sciences, computer sciences, or health-related fields is required.

Individuals interested in the clinical data analyst career should also possess key skills, including critical thinking, written and verbal communication, time management, problem solving, and sound judgment skills, as well as the ability to use industry-specific software tools.

Clinical Data Analyst Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Clinical data analysts perform various functions, primarily to ensure completeness, accuracy, and consistency of clinical data and data structure.

The major tasks, duties, and responsibilities of a clinical data analyst are listed in the job description example below:

• Responsible for all data management activities for assigned studies
• Undertake Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) review and input
• Develop and maintain Case Report Form (CRF)
• Responsible for developing and maintaining Data Management Plan
• Undertake Data Quality Checks and discrepancy management to ensure accuracy of data
• Responsible for data analyses and identification of trends/pattern in data
• Responsible for the preparation of data tables for reports
• Perform database setup testing and edit check programming testing
• Study specific activities and participate in post market surveillance reporting when necessary
• Actively participate in efforts to improve data management processes as needed
• Represent the data management group at study team meetings and on cross-functional task forces as assigned
• Provide subject matter expertise in one or more areas within data management
• Contribute input to departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Departmental Work Instruction (DWIs), and guidelines
• Comply with applicable company policies, operating procedures and processes, as well as regulatory requirements such as, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Clinical Data Analyst Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for a Successful Career

If you are seeking to work as a clinical data analyst, be aware that most recruiters will expect you to meet certain requirements before you can be hired. This is to ensure that you will be effective in performing the obligations, objectives, and purpose of the clinical data analyst role that will be assigned to you.

Shown below are major requirements by employers for applicants for the clinical data analyst job to meet to get an interview appointment:

• Education: A minimum of Associate degree is acceptable, but most often, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Health Sciences, or Informatics is required, and a Master’s degree may be preferred
• Experience: Depending on the recruiting organization, applicants for the position of clinical data analyst may require a 3-4 years experience working in a clinical research environment
• Knowledge: They must possess a general understanding of the clinical trial process and regulations that apply, and a good understanding of clinical data management processes. They also require the ability to use development environment, classification, analytical, and other industry-specific software tools. They must possess good technical skills in querying and analyzing data (SQL, Oracle, SAS or equivalent)
• Organizational skills: It is essential that they can effectively prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks, as well as complete projects within deadlines or in a timely manner
• Project management skills: They also require the ability to leverage on the skills and competencies of others; engage others to accomplish projects within specified time-frames
• Attention to detail: The clinical data analyst job description requires them to ensure the accuracy and validity of data and trial results. Hence, they must pay meticulous attention to detail, factoring every piece that might alter the validity of data
• Computer skills: They must possess advanced skills with MS Office applications, especially Excel, Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint.
• Data management: They require strong ability to work with clinical data management systems
• Team work abilities: They must be able to work effectively in a team oriented environment, and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Communication skills: They must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to communicate and collaborate with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.

Conclusion

If you are looking to hire for the position of clinical data analyst in your organization, you will need to post a comprehensive description of the position to help interested persons understand the duties and responsibilities of the role that they will be expected to perform if hired.

You can apply the sample clinical data analyst job description provided above as a template in making one for your company.

By posting a detailed description of the job, you will be better able to attract and hire the best person for the clinical data analyst job for your organization.

And if you are interested in getting into the clinical data analyst career, the content of this article will also help you gain the needed knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the role, so you can make the right decisions about your career choice.

Did this post help you better understand what clinical data analysts do? Please, leave a comment in the box below. Do also share your job description if you work as a clinical data analyst.