92 Effectiveness of an Academic Medical Center Clinical Research Coordinator Intern Program on Learning and Workforce Expansion

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Intern Program was developed to increase knowledge and awareness of CRC’s vital role in conducting clinical studies. Program outcomes are to provide students with marketable skills and knowledge leading to employment within the clinical research ecosystem. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The CRC Intern Program is available to college students for health-related academic courses requiring an internship component. Didactic and experiential learning are incorporated into the program with students imbedded within well-established clinical research teams. Activities include attending IRB meetings, recruitment and enrollment, data collection and entry, and regulatory items. Students complete knowledge pre- and post-assessments (Competency Index for Clinical Research Professionals-CIRCP) via REDCap surveys to assess learner knowledge acquisition and program effectiveness. Demographic, program evaluation, and 3-month follow up survey data are analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Beginning in Spring 2022, the Intern Program has accepted 9 students with 5 completing the program, with 2 of this 5 having been offered employment as CRCs. Preliminary CIRCP assessment data indicates increased CRC knowledge upon Intern Program completion. Demographic data shows that students are mostly female and non-white (43% African American, 29% Hispanic). Additional results from the current cohort will be shared upon program completion. Of note is the development of partnerships with local colleges, including community colleges, to build awareness of the CRC career path and to provide opportunities for CRC exploration resulting in expansion and diversification of the clinical research workforce. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: There is an industry wide shortage of CRCs. Our internship program has provided an effective method to expand and diversify the CRC workforce through knowledge acquisition and application building CRC skills and competencies. Lessons learned and future plans for intern expansion will be discussed.