An NCI Micro-credentialing Model for Onboarding and Training Clinical Research Professionals in a Lean Fiscal Environment.

Barbara Tafuto, Belinda Zhang, Kathleen Black, Ginnette Watkins-Keller, Rahul Mittal, Barbara DeMarco

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Barbara TafutoRutgers University, New Brunswick, USA. bat82@shp.rutgers.edu.

Belinda ZhangRutgers University, New Brunswick, USA.

Kathleen BlackRutgers University, New Brunswick, USA.

Ginnette Watkins-KellerRutgers Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, USA.

Rahul MittalRutgers University, New Brunswick, USA.

Barbara DeMarcoRutgers University, New Brunswick, USA.

Funding

New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science UM1TR004789

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Clinical research professionals are essential to the successful conduct of clinical trials yet training and retention of this workforce remain significant challenges, particularly with constrained budgets and declining indirect cost reimbursements. This study describes the implementation, and evaluation of a micro-credentialing program at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. The CRC badge, developed through a collaboration between Rutgers School of Health Professions, Rutgers Cancer Institute, and the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, offers self-paced, competency-based training aligned with the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency framework. Fifty-six clinical research staff were invited to complete the CRC Badge between May 2023 and May 2024. Survey data from the 38 completers (67%) demonstrated substantial self-reported learning gains across regulatory activities, research roles, and data management. Post-course results indicated that the CRC badge helped enhance onboarding efficiency and inspired interest in continued professional development. Administrative feedback confirmed improvements in staff readiness.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchResearch PersonnelHumansNational Cancer Institute (U.S.)United StatesClinical research coordinatorMicro-credentialNational Cancer CenterOnboardingTraining and educationWorkforce development

Identifiers

PMID41817918

DOI10.1007/s43441-026-00941-z

PMCPMC13110194

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

LicenceCC BY

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.