The Cardiovascular Division recently participated in the US Department of Labor’s Clinical Research Professional Apprenticeship Program and graduated one of the program’s first apprentices, Kesha Hanks. Kesha worked in the Cardiology Clinical Research Group as a Clinical Research Apprentice. After completion of the program, Kesha has now been promoted to a Clinical Research Coordinator 1.
This apprenticeship program is a hands-on, paid clinical research apprenticeship with the goal of recruiting underrepresented minority applicants. The length of the apprenticeship is 12 to 18 months where the apprentice will receive exposure to all areas of clinical research coordination. Apprentices will receive on-the-job coaching, classroom instruction, mentoring, (personal relationship-based guidance and support to achieve long-term professional and personal success), and sponsoring a structure that promotes their career development, increases their visibility, and demonstrates institutional commitment to their success. This program is widely supported across the institution and the ICTS.