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 8 to July 8. 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 by the employee and confirmed by the manager no later than April 22nd to be considered for approval. You will receive an email from WER-jobs@duke.edu with a final determination by April 26th.
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 (Updated 3/2024) |
Register |
|
Self-Report Assessments: Overview and Scoring Guide (NEW: 1/2024) |
Register |
| 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. |
Register |
| Tips on Navigating Tier Advancement From a CRC II and Manager Perspective This session was presented by Laura Van Althuis, Clinical Research Coordinator II and Diane Bresch, Research Practice Manager, on February 15, 2024 for the Research Professionals Network. Laura and Diane describe tips for the Tier Advancement process from a CRC and manager perspective. |
Training for Managers and Leaders
| 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. |
Register |
|
Manager Tips for Advancement Success |
View Slides |
| 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. This module is included in RPM/ARPM Express Start. |
Register |