Site Selection

Term from Clinical Trials industry explained for recruiters

Site Selection is an important process in clinical trials where professionals evaluate and choose the hospitals, clinics, or research centers that will conduct the medical study. Think of it like choosing the perfect locations for a chain of stores – except these locations will be running medical research studies. This process involves checking if the facility has the right equipment, qualified staff, access to suitable patients, and a track record of running studies well. It's a crucial step because picking the right sites can determine if a clinical trial succeeds or fails.

Examples in Resumes

Led Site Selection process for Phase III oncology trials across 12 countries

Conducted Site Selection and qualification visits for 50+ research centers

Developed Site Selection criteria and assessment tools for rare disease studies

Typical job title: "Site Selection Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Clinical Operations Manager Site Management Associate Clinical Research Associate Site Feasibility Specialist Clinical Trial Manager Study Start-up Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where selected sites are consistently underperforming in patient recruitment?

Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss strategies like conducting root cause analysis, implementing corrective action plans, providing additional site support, and knowing when to close non-performing sites. They should mention the importance of clear communication with sites and stakeholders.

Q: What factors do you consider most critical when selecting sites for a rare disease study?

Expected Answer: Should emphasize understanding of unique challenges in rare disease trials, such as patient population access, specialized equipment needs, and staff expertise. Should discuss importance of site's previous experience with similar studies.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key components of a site feasibility questionnaire?

Expected Answer: Should mention patient population access, staff experience, facility capabilities, competing studies, past performance metrics, and regulatory compliance history. Should understand how these factors impact site success.

Q: How do you evaluate a site's patient recruitment potential?

Expected Answer: Should discuss reviewing patient databases, historical recruitment data, competing trials, referral networks, and local patient demographics. Should mention importance of realistic enrollment projections.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic information do you need to collect during a site selection visit?

Expected Answer: Should list facility resources, staff qualifications, standard operating procedures, equipment availability, and storage capabilities. Should understand basic regulatory requirements.

Q: Why is site selection important in clinical trials?

Expected Answer: Should explain how proper site selection affects study timeline, budget, and data quality. Should understand basic impact on patient recruitment and study success.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of clinical trial processes
  • Ability to conduct site visits
  • Knowledge of site documentation requirements
  • Understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Site feasibility assessment
  • Budget negotiation
  • Site relationship management
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic site selection planning
  • Multi-country site management
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Performance metrics analysis

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines
  • Lack of experience with site visits or site communication
  • Poor understanding of patient recruitment challenges
  • No familiarity with regulatory requirements
  • Unable to explain basic clinical trial terminology