The CTSI training program Foundations for Research Professionals recently reached a major milestone when it trained its 50th cohort of research coordinators and other research professionals. The training program is designed for those who are new to research or new to the University of Minnesota and helps them gain critical knowledge for their role in research.
The Foundations for Research Professionals training program was created by the CTSI Translational Workforce Development team and piloted in 2016 as part of the University’s Advancing Human Research Protections initiative. Foundations was available broadly to all UMN research staff beginning in 2017. Since then it has tallied some impressive metrics:
- 631 research professionals have completed the training
- Staff from more than 50 UMN departments have participated, representing 10 schools and colleges and four institutes, centers, or administrative offices
- Research staff from other organizations that use the UMN Institutional Review Board have also taken the training, including Fairview, Gillette Children’s, VA, HealthEast, and HCMC
- The training is now included in many department onboarding checklists.
The training program is managed by Jennifer Maas, RN, CCRC, senior research trainer on the Translational Workforce Development team. The program includes six in-person (virtual) sessions that are led by a wide range of presenters and five online training modules. It aims to provide research professionals with information that will help them succeed in their job, including:
- Increase knowledge of research professionals’ roles and responsibilities
- Gain a solid understanding of local and federal regulations, and how to operate using Good Clinical Practice
- Get connected with resources and learn to navigate the UMN research landscape
- Prepare for human research professional certifications through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
Participants consistently express satisfaction with the training. Comments from previous participants reflect that high level of satisfaction:
“Thank you and your team, Jennifer, for continuing to offer this incredibly helpful training. Our lab really has appreciated the opportunity to use this resource for our team’s enrichment!”
“Thank you for organizing and leading the training! It was informative, and I feel much more confident in my ability to do my job in an ethical, effective way.”
“I want to thank you and the other presenters for the opportunity to learn from you all. It has been a great experience that I will take with me through the rest of my career.”
The training is free to both departments and individual clinical research coordinators. To register for an upcoming training session, visit the Foundations for Research Professionals website.
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