Communication and Teamwork Skills:
The ACRP has done a wonderful job putting together a core competency framework for Clinical Study Monitoring. One particular domain covers communication and teamwork skills. In general, this competency area covers relationships and communication with clinical study team members and investigative site staff.
The ACRP’s specific expectations within this competency include the ability to:
- Communicate effectively to resolve compliance issues.
- Provide clear and technically accurate information and instructions – both orally and in writing.
- Maintain timely communications.
- Engage in effective discussions.
- Demonstrate attentive and active listening skills.
- Abide by the project’s communication plan and pathway.
Interestingly, I have never interviewed a candidate who has openly admitted they need to improve their communication skills. And almost everyone we interview feels their teamwork skills are excellent. However, poor teamwork or communication skills are a top ‘trip and fall’ of our CRAs, resulting in about 20% of our terminations.
Join us today as we discuss some of the basic blunders we see in this space. We also provide some excellent ways to improve your communication and teamwork soft skills. And for those who may be conducting a job search, be sure to properly prepare to highlight these skills in an interview.