EMPOWER CRPs

In 2022, a taskforce was formed to identify critical issues affecting our local CTS workforce. Seventeen members representing six departments, divisions, and centers focused on existing resources and future CRP recruitment, education, and retention needs. The learnings from this taskforce have informed the Enterprise to IMProve and Overcome Workforce Barriers in the Recruitment, Education, and Retention of Clinical Research Professionals (EMPOWER CRPs) overcoming the barriers identified by our local CRPs including establishing career pathways through targeted training and outreach programs, aligning career ladders with competencies, creating transparent advancement pathways, improving recruitment activities through cross-unit collaborations, and standardizing onboarding and training materials. Below are some of the programs that are included under the EMPOWER CRPs umbrella.

Pipeline Outreach

We run a “CTS Roadshow” program that introduces trainees at the high school or undergraduate level to careers in clinical and translational research. Presentation teams include both PI and CRP roles. If you teach a class with students who may be interested in clinical research, or if you would like to serve as a Roadshow presenter, email anna.johns@uc.edu.

Training Programs

Our Undergraduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science is designed for current University of Cincinnati undergraduates interested in careers in clinical research across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and academic research settings. Students gain the skills and experience needed to become successful clinical research professionals (CRPs) through coursework and hands-on research and healthcare internships.
Our Graduate Certificate or Master of Science degrees in Clinical and Translational Research both have tracks specially designed for CRPs and provide competency-based training in CTS, with an emphasis on research methods, clinical trials, regulatory requirements, and other skills needed to conduct and lead clinical research studies.
We also have a Graduate Certificate in Community-Engaged Research for Health, which is designed for graduate students, faculty, and researchers seeking to incorporate community engagement into the design and conduct of their research. Students gain the skills to build meaningful community partnerships, describe scholarly and methodological approaches to community research, and summarize ethical considerations unique to community-engaged research.

Digital Badging

Two new digital badge microcredentials were introduced in 2026, available through Credly via Skills@UC: Research 101 and Team Science 101.

Career Ladders and Advancement Pathways

Cincinnati Children’s has an established advancement program, guided by their CRP group. Visit here for more details.
In July 2026, UC rolled out an updated CRP career ladder as part of its larger Job Architecture project. The career ladder includes 11 levels with accompanying education and certification requirements. Visit here for more details (UC login required).
A CRP retention bonus program was also established at UC.

CTS Simulation Center

The CTS Simulation Center is intended to allow trainees of all levels will engage in deliberate practice of key CRP skill development. Providing a uniquely hands-on but safe learning experience, trainees will engage in simulated scenarios with patient or participant avatars, prompting a facilitator to respond via the avatars in real time. Facilitator feedback will provide the scaffolding of skill development within a safe, simulated environment.
Our first simulated case will be available in January 2027, focused on informed consent! Contact Andrea Meisman for details.

Standardized Institutional Onboarding

At Cincinnati Children’s, the CRP group provides a centralized onboarding checklist to help CRPs identify required and recommended trainings to support skill-building and competency. This interactive checklist has customized training requirements based on job function and empowers CRPs to create and track their personalized training plan. Visit here for more details.
UC also offers centralized onboarding to CRPs, including a REDCap checklist and a Canvas site with extensive draft and templated materials to guide new CRPs through foundational training. Contact Andi Christopher for more details, or submit a request for materials here.

LIFT for Research Mentors

Effective mentorship is crucial across the CTS research workforce. Current mentor training efforts focus on existing or future PIs, but mentorship is also a key component of successful training and retention of the CTS staff workforce. A newer CCTST program, called Leading Innovative and Formative Training (LIFT) for Research Mentors, aims to centralize and standardize mentor training across the CTS spectrum. The program is currently seeking CRPs interested in completing mentorship training in order to become training facilitators and contribute to ongoing LIFT workshops. Please contact Andi Christopher for details, or if you want to become more involved!