Research Quality & Navigation

Clinical Trials Navigation 

The Clinical Trials Navigation Team acts as a bridge between patients and clinical research. Our primary goal is to simplify and streamline the process of participating in a clinical trial. UCLA Health’s public facing website is a user-friendly, searchable database of UCLA clinical trials and research opportunities. UCLA Health in conjunction with Carebox, serves as a central hub for managing clinical trial inquiries and referrals. This service matches patients to appropriate clinical trials through disease-specific questionnaires.

The clinical trial referral pathway features:

• A public database of all clinical studies registered in OnCore, updated in real-time using information from both OnCore and ct.gov. Maintaining an accurate Recruiting Contact in OnCore will allow Carebox to connect inquiring patients to the correct individual.

• A source for easy patient referrals and recruitment. Interested patients/individuals and UCLA faculty and staff can search by keyword, age group and study purpose, status, and type.

• A user-friendly site for interested patients/individuals to search for available clinical trial opportunities and indicate their interest. Participation referrals will route to the study recruiting contact’s email inbox.

For more information regarding UCLA Health’s public facing website, please reach out to the Clinical Trials Navigation Team, clinicaltrialsnavigation@mednet.ucla.edu.

Workforce Development

The CTSI research workforce development program is designed to build skills, improve employment opportunities, support a dedicated career pathway and meet both individual and organizational needs for clinical research success. The team offers a range of educational opportunities and skill development including both hard skills (specifically technical and professional abilities) and soft skills (communication, teamwork and problem-solving) to ensure a well-rounded workforce.

LAUNCH - Leveraging Amazing Undergraduates in Clinical Research at UCLA Health

LAUNCH is a comprehensive training program designed to equip new graduates with the essential skills for a successful career in clinical research. By providing hands-on experience, LAUNCH fellows gain expertise in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines as well as an understanding of UCLA internal workflows and policies. Workforce development initiative allows LAUNCH to operate at no additional cost to the study team or department. LAUNCH Fellows receive one-year of weekly mentorship from the UCLA Office of Clinical Research.

Key aspects of the LAUNCH program include:

• In-person, instructor-led training delivered Day 1 of employment develops proficiency and confidence in clinical research. Interactive exercises allow LAUNCH fellows to develop expertise on their assigned protocols.
• Weekly mentoring supports LAUNCH fellows in their current work as well as fostering connections with future career pursuits.
• Ongoing training allows for expedited development and pursuit of quality improvement. LAUNCH fellows learn from each other and leverage expertise from program leadership to promote continuous improvement.

LAUNCH aims to develop a highly skilled clinical research workforce while providing insight into resources for a successful career in research. For more information regarding LAUNCH, please reach out to Daniella Escobedo, descobedo@mednet.ucla.edu.

Here’s the 2024 training calendar: https://uclahs.box.com/s/yb5go9zzxbt5vo48kvoo02wg55pfjlfq

EDGE

EDGE: EDucation for Gcp Excellence 

Investigator EDGE equips PIs with cutting-edge tools and best practices to lead pioneering clinical research projects within our institution, while also offering vital support to pull back and reorient those PIs on the edge of project obstructions due to safety risks or operational complexity.

Target Audience 
Current and aspiring UCLA Health PIs (MDs, PhDs, NPs, etc.) engaged in or planning to conduct human research studies.

Format 
4 dynamic 2-hour sessions* (8 hours total) delivered via Zoom
*Alternate scheduling can be applied to accommodate physician scheduling needs

Course Overview
As a Principal Investigator (PI), your leadership drives the success of every clinical research study. This comprehensive training equips both new and seasoned investigators with the skills to design, manage, and execute research with precision and compliance. Master the essential Clinical Research systems (OnCore, CareConnect, BruinIRB, eBinder, DocuSign, etc) and regulations (ICH GCP, FDA Guidance, institutional policies) crucial for navigating institutional workflows. Beyond technical knowledge, you'll develop strategies to lead your research teams effectively through coaching by expert staff, drawing on the resources of OCR leadership's latest strategies to expedite timelines and maintain the highest standards of care within clinical research trials and studies.

Key Learning Objectives

1. Understand the critical requirements for Investigator Oversight and sponsor-investigator responsibilities.
2. Gain proficiency in the essential Clinical Research systems.
3. Achieve excellence in financial management of research funds.
4. Implement best practices for study activation, amendments, and documentation.
5. Effectively manage deviations and report adverse events.
6. Tap into Investigator-support resources for optimal research outcomes.
7. Strategically assess and allocate staffing and resources.
8. Address challenges with root cause analysis, Corrective and Preventive Actions, and team training.

Contact
For more information regarding Investigator EDGE, please reach out to Daniella Escobedo, descobedo@mednet.ucla.edu.

Here’s the 2024 training calendar: https://uclahs.box.com/s/yb5go9zzxbt5vo48kvoo02wg55pfjlfq

OCR Boot Camp

The UCLA Office of Clinical Research (OCR) offers the OCR Boot Camp, a hands-on training program designed to equip staff with the critical skills and institutional tools needed to successfully manage their clinical research projects at UCLA Health.

Target Audience
Regulatory Coordinators, Study Coordinators, and Data Managers engaged or planning to conduct human research studies.

Format
4 consecutive days of in-person, instructor-led training at the UCLA Office of Clinical Research
*See our Training Schedule Below

Course Overview
The OCR Boot Camp is an immersive introduction to the critical aspects of clinical research management at UCLA Health. This program blends lecture-based learning with hands-on exercises, allowing participants to tackle current issues and implement best practices directly into their ongoing protocols. Training includes practical demonstrations using key systems like OnCore, BruinIRB, and other eRegulatory tools. With a focus on small group learning (6-8 participants), sessions encourage in-depth discussions and real-time troubleshooting of active projects.

Key Themes

1. Regulatory and Quality Management: Combining study management from Regulatory Affairs with the principles of Quality Management to ensure compliance and uphold high standards in clinical research projects.
2. Clinical Operations and Subject Management: Focused on managing clinical operations and the care of research subjects, emphasizing ethical practices and participant welfare.
3. Data, Documentation, and Financial Management: Integrates Data Management and Good Documentation Practices with Fundamental Finance, highlighting the critical role of precise data handling, thorough documentation, and robust financial oversight in research.
4. Professionalism and Communication: Enhances professionalism by stressing the importance of effective communication, ensuring that research teams engage constructively with all stakeholders and maintain high professional standards.

Cost
Currently, this essential training is offered at no cost, reflecting UCLA Health’s commitment to equipping clinical research coordinators, regulatory coordinators, data managers, and research assistants with the skills they need to excel.

Contact
For more information regarding OCR Boot Camp, please reach out to Daniella Escobedo, descobedo@mednet.ucla.edu.

Here’s the 2024 training calendar: https://uclahs.box.com/s/yb5go9zzxbt5vo48kvoo02wg55pfjlfq