Clinical Research Orientation

The Office for Clinical Research (OCR) provides a mandatory in-person orientation for all clinical research staff, separate from Emory University New Employee Welcome Session.

Clinical Research Orientation (CRO) is required for all new hires/rehires/promotions conducting or coordinating clinical research studies (i.e., observational, qualitative, socio-behavioral, and clinical trials) at Emory University. New clinical research staff can visit Emory Transportation for parking hangtags, Emory Administration for EmoryCard/ID Badge, and Emory Employee Health for health checkoffs. View the Clinical Research Training Requirements for Emory and Emory Affiliates.

Additionally, Emory Healthcare (EHC) research credentialing is required for Emory University clinical research staff who have direct contact with subjects in an EHC facility and/or require access to patient medical records in Epic for EHC subjects, including remote staff who need access to patients’ medical records. Direct contact involves transporting patients, collecting specimens, obtaining vital signs and measurements, performing ECGs, and performing phlebotomy, among other tasks. For information, contact elizabeth.botheroyd@emoryhealthcare.org.

Who Should Attend?

All new hires, rehires, and those promoted in a new clinical research role (excluding investigators) at Emory University and Emory Healthcare conducting or coordinating clinical research studies (i.e., observational, qualitative, socio-behavioral, and clinical trials).

• Course Format: In-person at 1599 Clifton Road Bldg., Atlanta, GA 30322.
  
• Course Length: 4 - 6 hours.
• Course Dates: Every 1^st Monday of each month (except holidays).
• Course Registration:
  
  1. Log in to Brainier via the Self-Service Portal, click the "Learning Management" Tile, and then click the "Learning Management-Brainier" Tile.
  2. Enter your Emory University Network ID and password.
  3. Click in the search bar at the top of the page.
  4. Enter the course name “Clinical Research Orientation.”
  5. Click “Register" for the course start date you want to attend.
  6. Click “Register" in the pop-up window to confirm enrollment.
     ***NOTE: Managers and supervisors may receive a questionnaire in Brainer LMS to determine whether their new hire is involved in clinical research, and, if so, which Orientation will be automatically assigned to their "My Learning." If not, please have the new hire register for Orientation following the steps above. 
• Pre-work Required? Yes.
  1. View the course Executive Summary, v15, 10/29/25.
  2. Complete the eCREST (Emory Collaborative Research Training profile and upload the required documents.
  3. Review Emory Clinical Research Onboarding Checklist Summary, v6.
     
  4. Complete EHC Credentialing Application Instructions, v9.2025. View the Non-Emory Healthcare Staff Credentialing policy. New staff should have the following completed before the hire date to assist with orientation and credentialing: 
     • AHA Basic Life Support CPR
     • Updated Immunizations
     • Updated Vaccinations
     • Current licensures 
• Continuing Education Credits: No.
• Renewal? No, unless you receive a promotion or a rehire.

Resources and Documents

Acronym Definition List

Clinical Research Process Roadmap (Steps 1-10)

Onboarding Checklist

Managers

Managers, please read the Executive Summary, v15, 10/29/25, to understand the training requirements and schedule for your new hires. The training schedule is listed below. Do your best to align hire dates with the orientation and training schedule so they can attend. Also, allow time for them to participate in each training course per their training category. 

Complete the following forms and provide them to your new hire to upload to eCREST for Orientation: 

1. The Clinical Authorization and Competency Form, which supports Emory Healthcare Credentialing requirements, is required if your new hire will see patients in any Emory Healthcare facility.
2. TheSite Sponsor Authorization Form, which supports Emory Healthcare Credentialing requirements, is required if your new hire will see patients in any Emory Healthcare facility, and to provide them with badge access to those designated areas. 
3. Ensure your new hire has a) current AHA BLS CPR Card, b) current immunization/vaccination records, and c) current license, if applicable, per the Non-Emory Healthcare Staff Credentialing policy. New hires can schedule an appointment with Emory Occupational Health to complete immunizations/vaccinations.

Orientation and Training Schedule