1. Education and
Training
Mentoring,
Shadowing,
and
Hands-on
Training
High-
Functioning
Coordinators
Development of the Study Coordinator Apprenticeship and Mentoring Program (SCAMP)
Stephanie Swords MA, CCRP
ICTR
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Where Science and People Connect
A good study coordinator who is able to manage significant amounts of diverse
work is an invaluable asset to any investigator. Yet for the importance of this
role within a study team, very few academic institutes put emphasis on
education and training of coordinators beyond the standard research training
required for participation in human subjects research.
The Study Coordinator Apprenticeship and Mentoring Program (SCAMP) seeks
to address this issue by creating a unique training program that will cultivate a
workforce of highly-trained, experienced coordinators through traditional
education and training activities, direct mentoring, and guided hands-on
learning.
Each year, SCAMP will hire four promising applicants into a two-year intensive
educational work program. These apprentices will receive rigorous training
and mentoring, based on a curriculum developed by a group of seasoned
research professionals. The program will utilize a variety of established
educational activities through the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and
Translational Research, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health1, Johns
Hopkins School of Nursing, Professional Development Programs2, Baltimore
Chapter SoCRA monthly meetings, and available online trainings through
multiple sources3,4,5. Curriculum objectives not covered by already available
educational programs will be filled by newly developed educational content.
Apprentices will also learn and gain experience through research rotations in
the Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Units, shadowing experienced research
staff in the field, developing a quality improvement project focused on
improving participants’ experiences in clinical research, and work assignments
with Investigators through a “consultative support service” offered through
SCAMP. The inclusion of hands-on learning within the program will allow
apprentices to apply their education and training in real time and learn from
situations in the field through intensive mentoring by the SCAMP Manager.
Methods
Purpose
The initial cohort of four apprentices was hired on October 1, 2012. Within the
first year, this cohort developed a high level of human subjects research
knowledge and experience. All SCAMP apprentices have been working on
multiple part-time work assignments with study teams throughout Johns
Hopkins. The program has rapidly developed a reputation for providing high-
functioning individuals who are able to work as a coordinator for study teams,
and have a noticeably shorter learning curve when compared to coordinators
from outside SCAMP. Investigators have also noted that use of apprentices
from SCAMP has increased the speed, efficiency, and quality of their research
studies.
The successful first year of this program has confirmed the adage that a high-
functioning study coordinator is an invaluable part of a research team.
Additionally, this first year of the program has illustrated that the program is
positively impacting the culture surrounding clinical research; highlighting the
importance of appropriate and continuous training and education of both study
coordinators, and clinicians alike. As this program continues to expand with the
hiring of the second cohort in September of 2013, the program capacity for
coordination support and guided education of investigators through their
interactions with SCAMP apprentices will continue to increase.
Demand for apprentices is significantly higher than anticipated. SCAMP
reached capacity for work assignments in Aug 2013, and is scheduled at
capacity until Jan 2014. To meet the demand we hope to expand the yearly
cohort beyond the current four apprentices.
Through Traditional Education and Training, Mentoring, Shadowing, and hands
on Work Assignments almost all Year 1 competencies have been exceeded
based on a self-reported survey taken by the apprentices. Knowledge in some
areas has been under achieved – particularly pertaining to grant writing, RFA
interpretation, and DOT/IATA regulations due to the types of work assignments
received through the consult service.
Utilization of
Traditional Education:
Required Human
Subjects Research
Training
Johns Hopkins
Educational Programs1,2
SoCRA monthly Local
Chapter Meetings
Online Training through
various sources3,4,5
Mentoring & Shadowing:
Beyond standard supervision,
SCAMP manager provides
intensive group mentoring, in
the field mentoring, and
one on one meetings
on a weekly basis for
each apprentice.
Apprentices receive “baby
steps” into research by
shadowing experienced
research staff and
completing rotations
in the Clinical
Research Units
New Education:
SCAMP Manager
builds upon education
and training through
case studies,
independent projects,
open forum discussions.
Education is sometimes
exclusive to the apprentices,
and other times open to all
research staff to encourage
professional networking.
Hands-On Training:
Apprentices receive
hands-on training
through work
assignments for study
teams throughout Johns
Hopkins
SCAMP began accepting
work assignment applications
on Dec 28, 2012 and thus far
has provided coordination for
15 studies, 12 different PIs,
and 7 different departments
Represents “typical”
education and
training at most
academic sites
Represent added
education, training, ,
and mentoring
covered in SCAMP
Highly recognizable
program in which
apprentices are sought out
by study groups, not only
for part-time work
assignments through
SCAMP, but also from PIs
wanting to hire them
out of the program.
Results
Conclusions
Future Program Development
1. Apprentices will complete the Science of Clinical Investigations Certificate Program in the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
2. Apprentices completed the Research Coordinator Training Program and attend monthly webinars in the Johns Hopkins School of
Nursing, through the Professional Development Programs
3. Online Training completed through the Johns Hopkins Learning Management System
4. Online Training completed through Forte Research Systems
5. Online Training completed through Coursera