CCRPS Reviews: Maria Lopez's Journey with CCRPS Certification: From Physician to Chief Medical Officer at a Specialized CRO

Before CCRPS Maria Lopez was an experienced physician with a background in medical devices, looking to expand her role within clinical research. After CCRPS Maria ascended to the role of Chief Medical Officer at a CRO in Columbia, specializing in medical devices, significantly enhancing her expertise in clinical research operations.

In preparation for further accreditation for CCRPS, we are conducting case studies with graduates to discuss their experience in our course in 15-30 minute interviews with our clinical research educator, Courtney. We invited students to share their feedback asking extensive questions on why they chose the course, what they felt while taking the course, and how the course has helped them after completion. Today, we share Maria's insights provide a profound view of the impact that the CCRPS certification program has had on her professional capabilities and her organization's services.

Key Takeaways

● Maria appreciated how the course was structured, which allowed her to develop a deep understanding of clinical research administration, particularly in the context of medical devices.

● The inclusion of templates and structured guidance within the course enabled Maria to streamline her workflow and implement standardized procedures at her CRO.

● The focus on quality and safety in the course resonated with Maria’s values as a physician, empowering her to uphold high standards in her organization's research practices.

Engagement and Professional Development:

● The course's flexible, self-paced format was perfectly suited to Maria’s busy schedule, allowing her to engage deeply with the material and apply the knowledge effectively in her role.

Closing Thoughts:

● Maria's experience with the CCRPS certification underscores its value not just in educational enrichment but also in practical application within the clinical research industry. Her story is a testament to the program's role in advancing careers and enhancing the quality of research practices globally.

Recommendations to Colleagues:

● Maria strongly recommends the CCRPS course to her peers, emphasizing its comprehensive coverage of clinical trials, its practical utility, and the continuous access to updated content, ensuring that learners stay informed of the latest industry standards and regulations.

Career Advancement:

● The CCRPS certification was pivotal in Maria’s promotion to Chief Medical Officer, where she now plays a crucial role in expanding her company’s services to include clinical research for medical devices, demonstrating the direct career benefits of the program.

Insights for Future Improvement:

● Maria suggested enhancements to the course, including more interactive teaching methods beyond slide reading and better follow-up on participant inquiries to strengthen the learning experience.

@0:00 Courtney Fulkerson: "All right. First of all, thank you for meeting with me today and we're pretty much just going to kind of go through some questions and get your feedback on the program and things that you like about it, things you didn't and pretty much just to tailor the program from here on out like any feedback."

@1:15 Maria Lopez: "It was really important for me, the part where we're at it. I mean, you usually know the basics of the history of political research, but it was like a really wide and long, it gave me a lot of information about it in a timeline. It was many things I didn't know. And now I have a wider structure about it. It was really from the beginning was like, wow, they usually go really fast through ethics, but it was really important."

@2:30 Maria Lopez: "The other thing that I loved is you gave us a lot of templates and for example, letter structures, then you can start using them that when you now have a file of papers that I don't have to have a changed name, the log. Oh, I've got a little bit more of my devices, but not only the knowledge, but now have a lot of papers that are always ready to start going on. So that is that was amazing. That is the, this is the only course I ever done that I really find that those many times and stuff."

@3:45 Courtney Fulkerson: "Yeah, it's good to hear just any really point of view. And I feel like as long as it was useful and you're able to kind of talk about like the way you've been able to use it, which I know you have a little bit, but we're grateful for any feedback."

@4:50 Maria Lopez: "I was really interested in quality that is like the main thing we are really into it. So quality was when I read what I went over the course, me and my boss, we were ready. It was like, OK, we need this to be like really into quality. Because our CRO, we all of us, I mean, our doctors, we're all physicians, basically, we're physicians. So all everything around quality and safety, it's really important."

@6:10 Courtney Fulkerson: "Right, that's very, I mean, it's important. It's important in anything. But I mean, that's not too good that you found that within our course."

@7:22 Maria Lopez: "You know, me as a non, I mean, I speak my native language Spanish and Sometimes you get into those programs and you have many accents that are so hard, but you didn't. That was really good. I understood like everyone."

@8:55 Courtney Fulkerson: "Good."

@9:10 Maria Lopez: "I'm definitely coming back. I didn't download everything. And I just got it there. And the topics that I feel like not very strong, I've listened to them. Not like starting for the exam, but like listening to it. we were a podcast, listening to them and really getting into them."

CCRPS Reviews: Hannah Fischer's Career Growth with CCRPS Certification: From Grant Program Manager to Leading Clinical Trials at UCSF

Before CCRPS: Hannah Fischer Was A Grant Manager Struggling with Clinical Trial Coordination. After CCRPS She Elevated to Clinical Trial Leader at UCSF, Excelling in Trial Management and Grant Applications, Thanks to Our Clinical Trials Training.

In preparation for further accreditation for CCRPS, we are conducting case studies with graduates to discuss their experience in our course in 15-30 minute interviews with our clinical research educator, Courtney. We invited students to share their feedback asking extensive questions on why they chose the course, what they felt while taking the course, and how the course has helped them after completion. Today, we share Hannah Fischer’s feedback underscores the significant positive impact of the CCRPS certification program on her professional life. Her experience highlights the program’s effectiveness in enhancing participants' understanding of clinical trials, improving job performance, and facilitating career advancement. This testimonial serves as a strong endorsement of the program’s value to professionals in the clinical trials industry.

Key Takeaways

● Hannah had a very positive experience with the self-paced online format, which she found accommodating to her busy schedule.

● The content was comprehensive and directly applicable to her current role in managing clinical trials, significantly aiding her daily responsibilities and strategic approach.

● Successfully leveraged course content and certification to secure a promotion at work, underscoring the practical benefits and career enhancement potential of the program.

● Enthusiastically recommended the course to colleagues due to its thorough coverage of clinical trials from start to finish.

Recommendations to Colleagues:

● Hannah enthusiastically recommended the course to her colleagues due to its thorough coverage of clinical trials, highlighting its value in professional development within her field.

Learning Tools and Resources:

● Quizzes and the comprehensive final exam were highlighted as beneficial for reinforcing knowledge and ensuring thorough understanding of the material.

Career Advancement:

● The certification and the knowledge gained from the course played a crucial role in Hannah securing a promotion at work, illustrating the career enhancement potential of the program.

Course Structure and Content:

● She appreciated the self-paced online format, which was perfectly suited to her busy schedule, allowing her to integrate learning seamlessly with her professional responsibilities.

● The course provided a solid foundation in understanding clinical trials from start to finish, making complex processes understandable and manageable.

@0:00 - Courtney Fulkerson: "Congrats on successfully completing your CCRPS program, and thank you also for taking time to meet with me today. We're pretty much just going to go through some questions and answers just to have a conversation about basically how we can improve the program and then your experience with it and kind of where you're at right now in your professional career. Alright, and if you're ready, we'll go ahead and get started with some questions. Okay, could you share some of your favorite moments from the course that enriched your learning experience?"

@0:48 - Hannah Fischer: "I think that's very beneficial. It would be fun to think about, you know, what is needed in the workplace. It helped me. I worked in grants, so I'm the grant program manager for our department, and we are starting a clinical trial for one of our products. I didn't necessarily have a strong engagement and understanding of how everything works together. I have little pieces; I've done this before, but being on the grant side, having this understanding really helped me put together our new grant, our OC2 grant together, and also trying to help implement this trial with some of the events."

@1:35 - Courtney Fulkerson: "Right, well that's really good to hear. What sort of program were you looking for when you chose CCRPS and were you pleased with the content of the course once you got started?"

@2:12 - Hannah Fischer: "I was looking for something that fit my schedule, had a very busy schedule with us, so when I was looking I was looking for something that was self-paced, but also something that had a good foundation, so it explains everything from start to finish about what all is involved in clinical trials, so that it's not too overwhelming."

@4:12 - Courtney Fulkerson: "Would you consider revisiting the course for a refresher, and is there any specific information that you'd want to see within a refresher course?"

@4:25 - Hannah Fischer: "Yes, I can see how that could help with my job in clinical research. Integrating real-world scenarios would be helpful, just because it's nice to see how this knowledge is applied in the workplace."

@4:50 - Courtney Fulkerson: "And if someone from our program were to ask for recommendations for future editions, such as the 2025 edition coming up, would you be open to sharing a list of recommendations and potentially being featured as a course contributor on a future edition of the course?"

@5:05 - Hannah Fischer: "Absolutely. I'm all for continuing education and helping others. If I can help anyone, please let me help."

@5:19 - Courtney Fulkerson: "Can you share what factors motivated you to choose this course and how it stood out from other options that you might have considered?"

@5:41 - Hannah Fischer: "I was looking for something that was self-paced because of my busy schedule. I needed something that provided a thorough foundation, explaining clinical trials from start to finish, so it matched my needs well. CCRPS offered that, and it was easier to fit it into my schedule."

@6:02 - Courtney Fulkerson: "Great, it checked all your boxes then. Now, can you share about your professional journey prior to embarking on this course and how you envision the course contributing to your career growth?"

@6:26 - Hannah Fischer: "Yes. Before taking this course, I was involved in clinical trials administration and coordination but needed a deeper understanding to write clinical trial grants successfully. The comprehensive nature of this course really helped me improve my understanding, which is crucial for my work in managing grants and coordinating trials."

@7:01 - Courtney Fulkerson: "How long did it take you to complete the course and do you feel like the duration was adequate for your learning?"

@7:14 - Hannah Fischer: "I worked on it periodically over 2-3 months. It could be completed in 1 month if someone focused fully on it. The pace was good — the content was clearly explained and I didn't feel rushed."

@7:45 - Courtney Fulkerson: "After completing the course, how did you update your resume and enhance your professional profile?"

@8:06 - Hannah Fischer: "I added the CCRPS certification to my resume and LinkedIn profile. It gave me credibility and deeper knowledge that set me apart in my field. It's definitely helped in job interviews and discussions within my professional network."

@8:36 - Courtney Fulkerson: "How would you describe your experience with our learning platform? Did it facilitate a smooth and engaging learning process?"

@8:48 - Hannah Fischer: "The platform was easy to navigate and use. The content was accessible, and I could go back to review material as needed, which was very helpful for reinforcing knowledge."

@9:35 - Courtney Fulkerson: "And finally, what part of the course did you find most engaging and beneficial to your professional development?"

@9:48 - Hannah Fischer: "The quizzes were particularly helpful for reinforcing the material. The final exam was also very beneficial as it forced a comprehensive review of everything covered, which solidified my understanding and confidence in the subject matter."

@10:23 - Courtney Fulkerson: "What are some reasons you would recommend this course to others based on your experience?"

@10:30 - Hannah Fischer: "It covers clinical trials thoroughly from start to finish and is helpful for anyone involved in clinical trials. I've recommended it to colleagues because it provides a solid foundation and understanding of the clinical trial process, which is essential for anyone in this field."

@10:44 - Courtney Fulkerson: "And lastly, could you share how your career has advanced since completing the course?"

@10:58 - Hannah Fischer: "Since completing the course, I've been promoted at work. The knowledge I gained through the CCRPS program directly helped me secure a higher position where I now manage more critical aspects of clinical trials. It's been a significant boost to my career."

CCRPS Reviews: Scott Boyle: From CRO Intern to Regulatory Affairs Specialist Enhanced by ICH GCP Certification

Scott Boyle's Professional Advancement with CCRPS GCP Certification: From Intern at a CRO to Regulatory Affairs Specialist at UPenn

In preparation for further accreditation for CCRPS, we are conducting case studies with graduates to discuss their experience in our course in 15-30 minute interviews with our clinical research educator, Courtney. We invited students to share their feedback asking extensive questions on why they chose the course, what they felt while taking the course, and how the course has helped them after completion. Today, we share Scott Boyle’s feedback underscoring the effectiveness of the GCP certification program in providing essential knowledge and skills for professionals transitioning into or advancing within regulatory affairs. His suggestions for bundling courses and adding detailed workflows indicate areas for potential enhancement that could benefit future learners. Overall, Scott’s experience with the course was highly positive, significantly impacting his professional development and career progression.

Key Takeaways

● Scott found the course straightforward to navigate and access, appreciating the professionalism of the website and the reasonable pricing.

● The self-paced nature of the course was beneficial, allowing Scott to fit the learning into his schedule effectively.

● The course content, especially the Code of Federal Regulations section, was directly applicable to Scott’s job in regulatory affairs, enhancing his confidence and competence.

● Completing the course helped Scott secure a job in regulatory affairs, attributing his success in part to the confidence gained from being GCP certified.

Professional Development:

● The GCP certification was a significant addition to Scott’s resume and LinkedIn profile, leading to increased visibility and job opportunities in clinical research.

Recommendations for Others:

● Scott would recommend the course to peers for its accessibility, affordability, and comprehensive coverage of essential GCP knowledge.

Content Satisfaction:

● The course covered essential GCP elements that were crucial for Scott’s role, particularly the detailed information on regulatory requirements which he found most engaging.

Learning Platform:

● Scott praised the learning platform for its user-friendliness and the ability to revisit the content anytime, which he found helpful for continuous learning.

@1:00 - Courtney Fulkerson:
"You're looking to get a certification or like what made you choose this specific one?"

@1:05 - Scott Boyle:
"It was exactly GCP. It was a great refresher learning course. It wasn't required as part of my current job now. They made me redo my GCP. But overall, I think it was a great refresher and it did help me prepare for my current job now."

@1:37 - Scott Boyle:
"I think maybe if there was like a bundle, like I could do like a GCP and a CRA kind of thing."

@1:48 - Scott Boyle:
"Combining two courses, yeah, because I would say some of them can definitely go hand in hand and others could definitely, I mean, all together work out pretty good."

@2:07 - Scott Boyle:
"So I currently work in regulatory affairs at UPenn. Maybe if there is a regulatory aspect of it, I'm a regulatory affairs specialist. Yeah. could be like a like a workflow process kind of thing like this is how every day is going to work for generalized regulatory affairs specialists. And then once you go to a company, it can vary depending on company policies."

@3:20 - Scott Boyle:
"And is there anything that you would like to see within that if you were to? I already have. I already went on the website recently, and I was just reading through it again about processes. again, the CRF, Title 21, overall, I'd say it was good taking class and what I like most about it is in my account. I can still go back or refer to it whenever I want. I like how it's a one-time thing, and there's not blocked by a bunch of different day walls."

@5:05 - Scott Boyle:
"Yes, I would."

@5:41 - Scott Boyle:
"Um, I would say the website looked the most professional out of all. And the GCP course was reasonably priced at very easy to access. I mean, I think it was like two Google searches and I got right there."

@6:02 - Scott Boyle:
"I do do others, but I think overall it was easy to use. It was very open with what you offered. And I think it was pretty fairly priced at $50."

@6:26 - Scott Boyle:
"So before I took this, I did an internship at a CRO company. And they were talking all about GCP and ICH. And it encouraged me to go out and get the certification. I just didn't know where to go. And going back to the same thing, as I said before, it was very easy to go to Google found this organization right away. And they gave me a pretty informational course and a certification to go along with it. that was very helpful."

@7:27 - Scott Boyle:
"Yeah, I loved that with self paste."

@7:45 - Scott Boyle:
"And then how has it enhanced your professional profile? I would say is it has helped me get my current job now. GCP certified on my resume, and then I even put it on my LinkedIn. And I have I noticed more people requesting to follow me in clinical research because they see some of my credentials."

@8:17 - Scott Boyle:
"I would say it overall was very good because like you said again, it was self-paced and there was an option to, if people wanted to, can like read faster, you could have the person reading speed it up to like times two or times five. That was a good process."

@9:35 - Courtney Fulkerson:
"Good. I'm glad that that made you feel confident and I feel like that is one of the biggest parts of clinical research so it's always good to know."

@10:30 - Scott Boyle:
"The top reasons I'd say is easy to navigate, you make your account, you pay a one-time fee, and then you can always go back to it, which I think is very, very good."

CCRPS Reviews: Justin Scott Brathwaite From a Startup Associate to a Senior Startup Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator Graduate.

Justin Scott Brathwaite's Career Growth Through the CCRPS Coordinator Course Justin Scott Brathwaite advanced from a Startup Associate to a Senior Startup Specialist after completing the Clinical Research Coordinator course offered by CCRPS.

In preparation for further accreditation for CCRPS, we are conducting case studies with graduates to discuss their experience in our course in 15-30 minute interviews with our clinical research educator, Courtney. We invited students to share their feedback asking extensive questions on why they chose the course, what they felt while taking the course, and how the course has helped them after completion. Today, we share Justin Scott Brathwaite’s feedback emphasizing the course's strengths in providing comprehensive, relevant content at an affordable price. His career advancement post-course completion serves as a testament to the program's effectiveness in equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge for professional growth in clinical research.

Key Takeaways

● The broad knowledge gained from the course has bolstered Justin's confidence, particularly in his ability to understand and manage different roles within clinical research. This is pivotal as he aims to move into a project management role, indicating his readiness to handle more complex tasks and leadership duties.

● Since completing the course, Justin has advanced from a Startup Associate to a Senior Startup Specialist, and he is now taking on responsibilities related to project management. This progression demonstrates the tangible impact of the course on his career trajectory.

● Justin's willingness to recommend the course to others, especially due to its comprehensive content and affordability, underscores his positive evaluation of the program's value. This recommendation reflects his belief in the course's ability to provide foundational knowledge essential for newcomers to the field or those seeking a cost-effective way to enhance their skills.

● Justin's participation in the CRC course significantly improved his grasp of critical aspects such as regulatory standards, ICH guidelines, GCP, and SIV. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for his role in study start-up and aids in his professional efficacy.

Confidence in Professional Settings:

● The broad knowledge acquired from the course has enhanced Justin’s confidence, particularly in understanding different roles within clinical research, which supports his ambition to transition into a project management role..

Enrollment Motivation:

● He was attracted to the program through a LinkedIn advertisement, citing the affordability of the course compared to other options as a major factor in his decision to enroll.

Professional Impact and Career Growth:

● Since completing the course in 2020, Justin has advanced from a Startup Associate to a Senior Startup Specialist and is now taking on project management responsibilities. The course significantly contributed to his understanding of site operations and broadened his perspective, facilitating his career progression.

Course Value and Effectiveness:

● Justin praised the course for being comprehensive and cost-effective. He found the focus on site perspectives particularly enlightening as it aligned with his work in Startup Associate to Senior Startup Specialist..

Content Relevance:

● The sections on regulatory standards, International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and Site Initiation Visits (SIV) were highlighted as the most relevant and beneficial, directly aiding his professional duties.

@0:00 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "Hey Courtney, how are you?"

@0:27 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "That's perfect. I'm just going to start recording on Zoom as well."

@0:39 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "How are you today?"

@0:40 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "Doing well."

@1:42 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "Could you share some of your favorite moments from the course that enriched your learning experience?"

@1:49 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "Yeah, I took the clinical research coordinator course. I work in study startup and it was really helpful to understand the coordinator's role since I do a lot of work with sites. I found the SIV, ICH, and GCP sections particularly helpful."

@2:45 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "So it was pretty comprehensive. Good. So you feel like it kind of covered a lot of bases and it was able to translate into what you’re doing now."

@3:10 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "I was looking for something that was relatively cost-effective and also up to date to expose me to the material. I needed something comprehensive. That's kind of why I chose the program."

@3:59 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "The content was really good. It was just that sometimes the narration was a bit rushed."

@7:13 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "I would consider revisiting the course. I think I would do a refresher. I'm thinking about doing the PM one because I just saw there was a project manager course."

@11:00 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "It gave you a little bit of background on the site side of things, I think."

@14:52 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "The regulatory, ICH, GCP, SIV sections were the most relevant because I deal with a lot of regulatory in this position so it's kind of helped me to leverage that to work with sites."

@16:13 - Courtney Fulkerson (Certified Clinical Research Professionals Society CCRPS): "And what are some reasons that you would recommend this course to others based on your experience?"

@16:28 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "I think it's a pretty comprehensive course. The content is there. I think it's especially good for people on a budget."

@17:37 - Justin Scott Brathwaite: "No problem. Thank you, Courtney. Thanks for having me."