Professional Development for Clinical Research Professionals: Implementation of a Competency-Based Assessment Model

Aligning job descriptions at Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing with the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competencies (JTFCTC) spurred additional related activities--namely, establishing professional pathways and career ladders for clinical research professional (CRP) positions. CRPs leave Academic Medical Centers for many reasons, but lack of career advancement opportunities is one of the top observations. Duke developed a competency-based tiering system for CRP job classifications. This process of Tier Advancement allows CRPs to advance their tier through demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a variety of clinical research competencies. Tier Advancement is point-based and permits CRPs to advance within a single job classification, removing the need for onerous reclassification. The point-based nature of the system allows flexibility, in that CRPs can advance by demonstrating a limited set of in-depth specialized competencies or a breadth of responsibilities across a wide array of competencies. Tier Advancement has provided benefit to individual employees by offering an opportunity for self-driven career development. It has also benefited the institution by increasing CRP retention rates and allowed Duke to better understand current competency levels of its workforce.