By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
People who want a career at the N.C. Research Campus but lack training might consider a new course at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Starting Feb. 26, RCCC will offer “Overview of Clinical Research” at its south campus in Concord.
The short-term course will end April 9.
“This course would be a good first step for anyone who has an interest in learning about what a career in clinical research would be like,” college spokesman Jeff Lowrance said.
A company that will hire up to 300 people to work at the Research Campus helped design the course.
Wilmington-based Pharmaceutical Product Development, or PPD, had input, Lowrance said.
The 26-hour course will explain the broad spectrum of activities related to initiating, coordinating and managing clinical research studies.
Students will learn from clinical research professionals how the research process begins with the discovery of a compound, followed by research and development, clinical and non-clinical studies and ultimately government approval.
The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8. Registration costs $55, plus a $5 materials fee.
As a prerequisite, students must obtain a Silver-Level Career Readiness Certificate through the R3 Center in Kannapolis. Call the center at 704-216-7212 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
Clinical research associates work on clinical trials, which are research studies to assess the effectiveness of medical treatments.
Each research study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.
To learn more, call 704-216-3512 or visit www.rowancabarrus.edu/continuing_ed/.