Kinjal Mistry was trained in pharmacy and pharmacology in India before moving to the United States in 2019. Mistry sought an affordable path to using her past training paired with a deep interest in research. She discovered an outlet for both passions with PCC's Clinical Research program. We recently sat down with her to learn more about her experience - you can learn more about her journey below! 

Developing new programs at Portland Community College's Institute for Health Professionals requires understanding the needs of Portland’s health industry. One particular area of the industry experiencing high turnover, expensive training, and a lack of qualified applicants: clinical researchers and clinical research assistants. The IHP team went to work and built its online clinical research program, offered during the spring. 

Clinical Research Assistants (CR Assistants) spend their time performing trials for new treatments, diagnostic devices, and medications. They also work with patients directly in a healthcare atmosphere. They have important responsibilities that include: 

Meet Your Instructor: Kristin Stiller, BA, MHA, CCRP
Kristin is an instructor in the Foundations of Clinical Research program.  She teaches Good Clinical Practice; Ethical oversight; Scientific Integrity, Privacy and Overview of Study Design - Methods, Types, and Drug Development Process.

Mica Werner, MSM, is an Instructor at Portland Community College. She grew up in Ann Arbor, MI. After earning a BA in English from Michigan State University she took the next logical step and accepted a job as a medical assistant in a women’s health clinic.

Clinical research is constantly evolving. There are always new findings, practices and technologies transforming the way clinical research is conducted and managed. Staying on top of the latest trends and changes is key if you’re a clinical research professional or someone interested in entering the field.

Clinical research offers rewarding careers for people who want to make a difference in healthcare. Year after year, this field experiences tremendous growth with jobs constantly opening up across the public and private sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this field will grow by more than 13 percent by 2026, which is nearly double the industry average of seven percent.

Sometimes finding a fulfilling career doesn't follow a uniform A-to-B trajectory. Such was the case for Cynthia Trinidad, one of our first Clinical Research internship recipients, who initially graduated with a degree in psychology from the University of Oregon, but wasn’t sure where to go once she entered the workforce. Her passion for people led her to a career in the healthcare industry where she started as a CNA. She originally hoped to grow her skillset into nursing, until she realized she had a passion for research.

Armando Martinez (BS, CCRA, CCRP) is an instructor in the Foundations of Clinical Research program. He teaches courses on study team roles/responsibilities, study operations, drug supply management/accountability, subject interaction, and study procedures/data collection.

Clinical Research assistants and coordinators provide vital roles in the healthcare industry. They help advance medical knowledge and patient care by monitoring clinical trials, ensuring compliance with trial protocol, reviewing case report forms and working closely with more experienced professionals during clinical research projects. In some cases, the success of clinical trials rely heavily on the skills and competence of the clinical research assistant. Our program offers a gateway into the profession so that you may be well positioned to become a Clinical Research Associate.