Pathways to a Career in Clinical Research

Durham Technical Community College*: Education via Clinical Trials Research Associate's Degree

ApprenticeshipNC: NC state registration for program and liaison with U.S. Department of Labor 

Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP): Apprentice assessments and pathways to certification

*Apprentices from other clinical research degree programs may be considered with approval from DOCR.

Program Details:

• Positions may be opened for individuals who are currently enrolled in a clinical research degree program (Pre-Apprentice) or who have recently completed a clinical research degree program (Apprentice). 

• Apprentices are required to have protected time for 144 hours of supplemental education (provided by DOCR or other approved entities) and on-the-job training within a clinical research unit. 

• Units collaborate with DOCR to define agreements and expectations, hire individuals into the program, track training hours, assess apprentice competency, and report career progression. 

• Pre-Apprentices and Apprentices are hired into DOCR with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for apprentice payment and placement within the unit upon successful completion of the program. 

Benefits:

• Accelerated Access and Timelines: Apprenticeship expands access and provides an accelerated pathway into an exempt clinical research professional career. 
• Structured Learning and Mentorship: Apprenticeships create structured learning and mentorship opportunities that align with competency-based training standards and bridge the experience gap.
• Directly Relevant Education: Apprentices complete the longest-running associate's degree program in Clinical Trials Research from Durham Tech which is directly applicable to working at a clinical research site. 
• Employee Retention: Apprenticeships are known to not only bring people into the workforce, but retain them too. 
• Mentor Stipends: Mentors can receive stipends for pairing with an apprentice.
• Effort Sharing: A portion of effort will be covered to support required supplemental education time.
• Certification: Apprentices may have accelerated access to ACRP certification. 

A Pre-Apprentice position may be opened in collaboration with DOCR to recruit individuals who are currently enrolled in an approved clinical research degree program. Pre-apprentices are part-time employees who are finishing their degree and are paid an hourly wage as they complete their field-work requirements with a clinical research study team at Duke. 

Job Description | Clinical Research Pre-Apprentice - 0805

An Apprentice position may be opened in collaboration with DOCR to recruit individuals who have already completed an approved clinical research degree program. Those who successfully complete Pre-Apprenticeship requirements and team expectations are eligible to progress into the Apprentice position via re-classification. Apprentices are full-time employees who are paid hourly while completing 144 hours of supplemental education through Duke offerings and receiving 1 year on-the-job experience and training from a study team.  

Job Description | Clinical Research Apprentice - 0806

The Clinical Research Internship Portal (CRISP) is a collaborative initiative between the Duke CTSI Workforce Development team and DOCR to support students completing internships as part of their training programs. CRISP is designed to: 

• Streamline the process of matching students with departments that align with their academic and career interests. 

• Manage affiliation agreements between Duke and academic institutions, ensuring clear placement parameters. 

• Facilitate an efficient onboarding process for students entering Duke’s clinical research environment. 

For more information on CRISP internships, visit the CRISP website. 

Duke study teams may also post paid internships and entry-level roles to hire individuals seeking hands-on experience. CRISP and DOCR do not provide matching services for these paid positions. 

If your study team is interested in hiring a paid intern, consider one of these hiring options: 

• Duke Temporary Employee: A short-term, paid position offering flexible staffing solutions for various project needs.

• Duke Work-Study Student: A federally funded position for eligible Duke students seeking paid research experience.

• Non-Duke Student/Intern Job Code: A temporary, paid internship for non-Duke students that focuses on providing project support and gaining general work experience. Ideal for students who are seeking practical, hands-on work assistance and exposure to a research environment. 

• Clinical Research Intern Job Code: A temporary internship designed for individuals who are typically in a "gap year" (one to two years) specifically to enhance their academic and professional profiles for application to graduate, medical, or other health professional schools. These are interns engaging in specific projects, contributing to publications, and receiving mentorship with objectives geared towards their academic and professional goals. Units interested in hiring into this job code can follow instructions on the DOCR WE-R Hiring Page to do so.

Clinical research internships supported by CRISP are designed as learning experiences, not as a substitute for staff positions. Duke Human Resources’ Policy on Volunteers and Unpaid Interns states that interns cannot replace employees or perform work that would typically require a hired staff member.

Key distinctions include:

• Employment Status: Paid interns are hired into a specific role to support business needs, whereas unpaid interns through CRISP are here to learn. 

• Work Expectations: Paid positions have defined job responsibilities and performance expectations, while unpaid interns engage in structured learning experiences tied to their academic objectives. 

• Task Limitations: Unpaid interns have a more limited range of tasks they can perform, ensuring their experience remains educational rather than employment-based.

The Durham Early College of Health Sciences (DECHS) is an innovative early college offering Durham County high school students the chance to earn their diploma and healthcare credentials or an associate degree, at no cost. Students will begin exploring four pathways, including clinical research, nursing, allied health, and surgical technology, before selecting a specific focus. As part of their education, students will participate in work-based learning opportunities hosted at Duke, providing hands-on experiences to explore each pathway. Early activities will include day camps and job shadowing, followed by internships and practical training in later years, offering students the opportunity to learn skills to transition directly into the workforce or pursue further education. ​​​​​

Inspire the Next Generation of Clinical Research Professionals!

Duke clinical research faculty and research teams have a unique opportunity to support this program and the students as they explore careers in research and healthcare. Whether you can inspire students with stories about your work, invite students into your space for tours and shadowing opportunities, host hands-on workshops or talks, mentor students so they can learn from real-world experiences, or host interns in your department, your involvement will make a lasting impact.

We offer three ways to get involved! Upon completion of the DECHS Volunteer Interest Form, you will be assigned a level of involvement based on your responses.