Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: We do studies of medications for asthma, allergy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and migraines. A typical study lasts about a year, with each patient visiting about once a month. I calibrate machinery, maintain room temperature logs, and make sure that the medication scales, refrigerators and freezers are set within study limits and that the laboratory kits are ready. I draw blood and take urine samples, ship them to laboratories; take vital signs; assist with procedures; and assess prospective patients for placement in a study. I assist study coordinators in finding the kinds of patients they're looking for according to age, medical condition and current medication. I also do data entry on patient enrollment, visits and complications.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger health care picture?
A: I help ensure the collection of accurate data so sponsors can derive conclusions about the safety and efficacy of their drugs. This benefits the public as well.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I interact mostly with patients and study coordinators, sometimes with physicians and rarely with the pharmaceutical company representatives.
Q: Why did you become a research assistant?
A: I started out as a medical assistant and wanted something a little more challenging than working in an ordinary clinical setting. This seemed like a natural progression.
