Pharma employers have high expectations for technical contractors. Understanding and filling these expectations helps secure roles.
Hiring managers prioritize cultural fit, technological expertise, emerging skills, soft skills, and regulatory knowledge. Demonstrating these qualifications helps secure contract pharma roles.
Cultural Fit
Cultural alignment impacts a technical contractor’s role satisfaction and success. For instance, large pharma employers typically prefer contractors with extensive experience in specialized, structured roles. In contrast, smaller employers usually look for contractors who have worked in agile, cross-functional roles
Technological Expertise
Technological proficiency is essential for technical pharma contractors. Role-specific domain knowledge, data, and compliance are among the technical skills contractors need to be productive.
For instance, clinical trial roles require a deep understanding of the following:
- Medical terminology
- Data analysis
- Regulatory guidance
Strong knowledge of clinical trial phases supports accuracy in many areas:
- Data collection
- Interpretation
- Reporting
- Adherence to ethical and regulatory guidelines
Proficiency with the following data management and analysis tools is essential:
- Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS)
- Electronic data capture (EDC) systems
- Interactive Response Technology (IRT)
- Electronic source (eSource) systems
- Data analytics platforms
- Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA)
Emerging Skills
Demand for the following pharma industry skills is increasing:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Clinical Trial Material (CTM) manufacturing
- Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC)
- Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
- Data management
- Regulatory management
- Trial Master File (TMF) management
Technical contractors who can adapt to hybrid and remote trials, especially those involving diverse populations, are in high demand.
Soft Skills
The following soft skills are required for technical contractors in pharma to work with colleagues and coworkers:
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem solving
Many pharma employers evaluate technical contractors’ ability to navigate team dynamics, collaborate with teams and departments, and reach project milestones. Contractors who provide examples of successfully managing stakeholder relationships and handling diverse perspectives are highly valued.
Regulatory Knowledge
A strong understanding of pharma industry standards and compliance is required. For instance, knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and related guidelines safeguards the integrity of clinical trials. Compliance with these standards is essential for trial success.
Secure a Technical Contractor Role in Pharma
Element Staffing can match you with technical contractor roles that fit your goals, skills, and experience. Visit our job board to see which positions interest you today.
