Recent Updates
Please do not forget to check out our new FAQ on professional certifications and proctored testing.
New training has been added! Click below to check it out!
Cycles of Tier Advancement
Tier Advancement is offered once annually. Employees may complete assessments, and managers may score them, at any time during the year. Proctored testing is held only during the Tier Advancement cycles. Managers are encouraged to use the assessments as tools for onboarding, training, and evaluating staff performance.
Eligibility (official policy can be found here)
Staff mapped into, or hired into, any of the four classifications below may be eligible:
- Clinical Research Coordinator (1201)
- Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (1203)
- Regulatory Coordinator (1219)
- Research Program Leader (1280)
These staff are eligible if they:
- Have not reached the top tier for the classification (Tier 3, except in the case of Research Program Leader, which is Tier 2).
- Have not received an overall “Needs Improvement” on their most recent performance appraisal or mid-year review (if applicable) prior to announcing intent to go through tier advancement.
- Appropriate parties believe the candidate is ready for tier advancement. Appropriate parties may include faculty, managers, and those in human resources – those who are associated with the professional development of the clinical research staff member.
Process Overview
- The RPM will be responsible for serving as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC; official policy can be found here) and completing a REDCap survey for each employee applying for Tier Advancement. The link to complete this survey can be located on the RPM Wiki. It is the department/center/institute’s responsibility to ensure appropriate parties (faculty, HR, others) are included in the conversation about whether an employee is ready for advancement.
- WE-R will contact employees participating in tier advancement. Employees will:
- Complete a survey to record the competencies and level at which they would like to be tested.
- Drive the process and complete assessments in a timely manner.
- The manager will:
- Review the employee’s survey submission and make necessary adjustments.
- Review with the employee the list of assessments that will need to be completed.
- Conduct and score relevant assessments.
- Input the results of employee assessments into REDCap by the cycle due date. We strongly encourage early submissions.
- WE-R will:
- Input scores from centrally-reviewed and proctored assessments.
- Confirm final point tally.
- Convene committees for review of applications for staff advancing to Tier 3 (CRC, CRNCs, and Reg Coordinators) or those advancing to Research Program Leader Tier 2; input outcome of committee meetings.
- Communicate employee results to the department/center/institute RPM in October. It is the department/center/institute’s responsibility to share the results with the employee.
Tiering Results & Salary Implications
Staff and their managers will be notified of results of their testing in September, with an expected effective date of November 1st. The salary increases will be as follows:
- 3% for advancement to Tier 2
- 5% for advancement to Tier 3, or for those advancing from a Research Program Leader Tier 1 to Research Program Leader Tier 2
Welcome Packets
These documents provide employees and managers with a comprehensive look at the Tier Advancement process.
Employee Welcome Packets
CRC, CRNC, and Regulatory Coordinator Welcome Packet
Research Program Leader Welcome Packet
Manager Welcome Packets
Manager of CRC, CRNC, and Regulatory Coordinator Welcome Packet
Manager of Research Program Leader Welcome Packet
Sign Up for Office Hours
Virtual Office hours for WE-R Tier Advancement will be held every Monday (with the exception of Holidays), 12PM-1PM, from April 10 to July 10. We will speak individually with people who have questions; please prepare your questions in advance. To sign up for a 15 minute slot, click this link. Sign up for Office Hours. A WE-R team member will call you during your designated time. If you become unavailable during your selected time, please contact WER-jobs@dm.duke.edu.
Readiness Tool
Use this tool to plan for Tier Advancement for clinical research job classifications at Duke. This is to be used by employees and their supervisors, faculty, and HR managers to decide whether tier advancement is appropriate. Note – this is a self-assessment tool. Candidates applying for Tier 3, and Tier 2 for RPLs, will also receive committee review of their application.
CRC, CRNC, and Regulatory Coordinator Readiness Tool
Research Program Leader Readiness Tool
Certifications in relation to Tier Advancement:
As part of the Tier Advancement program for CRCs, CRNCs, and Regulatory Coordinators, staff members who hold a professional certification through a clinical research organization, and are current on their certification, will receive credit. In their next Tier Advancement cycle, staff members will receive two points for being certified, provided that they upload documentation of their certification. Furthermore, staff members may receive an additional two points if they have a current certification that they have maintained for at least one renewal cycle, but please refer to the specific certification requirements of your organization as they may vary. It's important to note that staff members may receive a maximum of four points throughout the Tier Advancement process. If you have additional questions about this program, please check the FAQ on the program's website. If you still have unanswered questions, you may email WER-jobs@dm.duke.edu for further assistance.
Note: Please do not submit to Tier Advancement just to add these points.
Assessments
Below are the assessments for tier advancement. If you have questions, please contact wer-jobs@duke.edu.
Note: * This is a proctored assessment and learning objectives are provided below.
Research Operations
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| WE-R | Knowledge | |
| Manager | Self-Report | |
| WE-R | Knowledge | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report |
Safety and Ethics
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) | |
| Manager | Direct Observation | |
| WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) | |
| WE-R | QA | |
| WE-R | Knowledge |
Data
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| WE-R | Knowledge | |
| WE-R | Case Study | |
| Manager | Self Report |
Scientific Concepts
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| WE-R | Knowledge | |
| Manager | Self Report |
Site and Study Management
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination with Sponsor/CRO | Manager | Self Report |
| WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) | |
| Electronic Management of Research Protocols | WE-R (+ Manager for Advanced Self-Report) | Knowledge (+ Self-Report for Advanced Only) |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report | |
| Manager | Self Report |
Expert/Senior and Other
|
Competency assessment or guideline |
Scored by |
Mode of testing |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Self Report | |
|
**Other |
Manager | Self Report |
**Employees may only test for one “Other Competency”. Employees and managers will alert WE-R to the chosen “other competency” via a separate process, using this survey: Other Competency REDCap Survey. This survey will need to be completed with both manager and employee present no later than April 24th to be considered for approval. You will receive an email from WER-jobs@duke.edu with a final determination by April 28th.
Competency assessments for RPLs
Complete this template, upload into your Box folder
Leadership assessments for RPLs
Complete this template, upload into your Box folder
Leadership assessments for CRCs, CRNCs, Reg Coordinators seeking Tier 3
Complete this template, upload into your Box folder
Guidelines for Portfolio Submissions
Cover page for RPLs
Guidelines for RPLs
Cover page for CRC, CRNC, Reg Coordinators seeking Tier 3
Guidelines CRC, CRNC, Reg Coordinators seeking Tier 3
Training for Tier Advancement
Training for All Staff and Managers
Tier Advancement Overview: This course will provide an overview of the Tier Advancement process and tips on how to navigate the Duke Office of Clinical Research Workforce Engagement and Resilience (WE-R) web page to access important tools and resources available.
Building Your Portfolio for Tier Advancement: The information in this course will help Duke Clinical Research Professionals (CRC, CRNC, Reg Coordinators, and RPL) prepare a portfolio for Tier Advancement into the highest tier for their role.
Training for Managers
Self Report Assessment and Scoring Guide for Managers: This self-guided course provides a detailed look at the Self Report Assessment that is used during the Tier Advancement process. This course is intended for managers, to understand how the form is completed by employees, and how the form is used to assess competency levels.
Difficult Conversations: Tier Advancement Guide for Managers: This course will provide Duke Clinical Research Managers with resources, best practices, and communication tips for potentially difficult conversations they may face before, during, and after the Tier Advancement process.
Manager Tips for Advancement Success
This session for managers provides tips and strategies for successfully navigating the Tier Advancement process with your employee. Topics that are covered include: how to reduce the time burden for yourself and your employee, how to strategize competency and level selection to maximize opportunities for success, and the manager’s and employee’s distinct roles in the Tier Advancement assessment submission.
Training for RPM/ARPM
RPM/ARPM Overview of WE-R Initiatives and Tier Advancement Responsibilities: This course will introduce new RPMs and ARPMs to responsibilities related to WE-R initiatives and the tier advancement process as a whole.
Certification Related to Tier Advancement
Where will I record this information?
When you apply for the next cycle of Tier Advancement, you will receive a REDCap survey to record the competencies and levels that you would like to test for. The survey will begin with a demographic section where you will be asked if you have a professional research-related certification. If you answer yes, you will need to upload documentation of your certification. The survey will also ask if you have a current certification that has been maintained for at least one renewal cycle. If you answer yes, you will be prompted to upload documentation of maintenance.
If I am professionally certified by more than one organization, do I receive two points for each?
No, you will receive credit for one certification. You may receive the additional two points if you have maintained the certification for at least one renewal cycle and are currently certified.
If I was certified in the past, but did not maintain the certification, can I still receive credit towards Tier Advancement?
As long as you have documentation of this, you are able to receive the two points for being certified.
If I was certified in the past and maintained certification for at least one renewal cycle but am not currently certified, can I still receive the additional two points for maintaining certification?
No, to receive additional points for maintaining certification, you must have maintained your certification for at least one renewal cycle AND be currently certified.
If I am currently certified, do I need to submit documentation if I am not applying to tier right away?
No, in the beginning of the next cycle of Tier Advancement that you apply for, you will be asked for this information.
Does this apply for Tier Advancement for Research Program Leaders?
Research Program Leaders do not receive points, however they are encouraged to submit documentation with their portfolio if they are certified.
What if the renewal cycles are different?
You should refer to the certification requirements. They are on different certification renewal cycles.
Proctored Testing for Tier Advancement
How do I sign up?
To schedule an appointment, please use this link: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01cYa2ixDtoBqf4. The testing center will create an appointment to send to you using outlook calendar. This invite will contain the time and date as well as the Zoom link that you will be asked to sign into during your appointment.
How many appointments can I schedule?
We expect you to schedule no more than two sessions. We expect that during each proctored testing appointment, you will be able to complete at least four tests (although more may be taken if the staff member chooses to do so).
How long can my appointment be?
The session can span any time between 8AM-5PM. If longer than 4 hours, schedule a break—must be between assessments and not during an assessment; no breaks during an assessment; all assessments for an individual person must be scheduled in as few sessions as possible, no more than 2 sessions per person without express permission from WE-R.
What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel my appointment?
All cancelations or reschedules should be made by calling or emailing the testing center testingcenter@duke.edu; (919) 684-1601 48 hours or earlier before the scheduled time. Rescheduling or canceling an appointment within the 48 hour cutoff is at the discretion of the Testing Center.
Will the testing center contact me if I do not log in on time?
No, it is your responsibility to be there on time.
Can I choose what order I take my proctored test(s) in?
No, proctored tests are set up in a specific order. Tests will be presented in the order they are listed on your assessment checklist. Each test will roll into the next after you have completed it. You will be assigned the tests based on those you have selected to be tested on.
How long are the assessments?
Most assessments are approximately 20 questions in length.
How long will the assessments take me?
Each assessment takes approximately 30 minutes.
Do I receive my scores immediately after testing?
No, the WE-R operational team performs and item analysis after all tests have been taken to ensure fairness and correctness of questions. Individual scores will be sent out with the full packet of results in early October.
What if I need to complete an “Advanced Only Self-Report?”
These can be located on the WE-R website under the competency assessment section.
Does the level chosen for testing change the test I will take, or is it the same test for everyone regardless of which level they want to be tested?
The tests will all be the same with the exception of Mapping Data Flow. This assessments is administered according to the level requested.
If I choose to be tested for the Advanced level but only score high enough for the Skilled level, will I still get points for reaching the Skilled rating?
If the knowledge test is based exclusively on score (ex: Contracts and Agreements) you’ll receive the level that you end up scoring on regardless of what you entered.
60- Fundamental or 1 point
80- Skilled or 2 points
90- Advanced or 4 points
However, there are some competencies that have an extra component that is required to achieve Advanced. For these, even if you score 100 on the assessment, the highest you could score is Skilled if you aren’t completing that second piece. (Study Level Documentation)
60- Fundamental or 1 point
80- Skilled or 2 points
90-you would still receive skilled unless you did the extra component