Certified Research Specialist Program

The UAMS Certified Research Specialist (CRS) program is a continuing education program for all individuals involved in human subject research.  The purpose of this program is to better educate those involved in human subject research through training in key areas and to acknowledge their participation in the CRS program.  The CRS program will require the completion of a total of 25 contact hours and successfully passing a proficiency exam.

Each December, there will be a reception honoring those who have completed their certification. At this reception, the Bonny Hope Wallace Award will be given to a CRS Recipient for excellence in Human Subject Research. Once certified, recipients can maintain their status by completing 6 contact hours of CRS or Q& A courses each calendar year.

Core Courses (11 hours)

• Human Subject Protection Training  (2 contact hours)– This is an online course that covers 8 essential areas in human subject protection for research studies.  There are two specialized human subject protection courses.  One is based on biomedical research and the other is based on behavioral and social science research.  Participants only need to complete one of the two courses, and the course chosen should be in their main area of research.  Anyone that is involved as a member of a research team must complete this training.

• HIPAA for Research (1 contact hour)– This is an online course that covers how HIPAA impacts the research environment.  Anyone that is involved as a member of a research team must complete this training. 

• Essentials of Quality Human Subject Research (8 contact hours)- This full day class is a good introduction into human subject research on the UAMS, VA and ACH campuses and is geared toward new research investigators and coordinators. Some of the topics covered are ethics, the UAMS IRB, Research Pharmacy, Scientific Misconduct, Informed Consent Process, Research Record Keeping, Internal Audits, and Creating Case Reporting Forms.

CRS Courses (14 hours)

• Advanced Research Ethics (4 contact hours) – This course discusses intellectual honesty in proposing, performing, and reporting research.  Other topics covered in this course include advanced discussions in data acquisition, management, sharing, and ownership; protecting human subjects; research misconduct; conflict of interest; responsible authorship, and peer review.  Attendees will be given a case scenario to review in groups and present recommendations.

• Writing Informed Consent Documents (2 contact hours)– This course covers the essential elements of a well written informed consent document.  Participants will be given a informed consent document which they will review to find flaws and mistakes along with which parts are well written.

• Writing a Research Protocol (2 contact hours)- A well-written protocol is essential to the development and implementation of a successful study.  The need for a well thought out plan for a research study.  What is included in a general protocol outline, and protocol writing tips.

• Record Keeping and Regulatory Binders(2 contact hours) – This course covers how to accurately take and keep track of research study records.  The requirements and steps for keeping well organized regulatory research binders, and the benefits of doing so.  

• Writing Standard Operating Procedures (2 contact hours)– This course covers the necessity of having well written SOPs for your department and research study.  In the course participants will learn the planning, writing, and approval processes needed in developing SOPs.

• Developing Case Reporting Forms (2 contact hours)– In this course, participants will learn the elements of a case reporting form and how to design and write their own.  Part of the course will center around examples of case reporting forms and their effectiveness.

Q & A and Behavioral Brownbag Sessions (1 contact hour each)

These are one-hour sessions which introduce current and emerging topics of interest in both the biomedical and the behavioral areas of research. They are facilitator lead discussion sessions. Up to 6 hours of these courses may be used to substitute for CRS hours and also for continuing certification.

To join the Certified Research Specialist program please provide the information below.  This will enter you into the training database and add your name to the distribution list for emails regarding the CRS program. 

If you have any questions please email Crystal Hunnicutt or call 501-526-6879.