NIHR accreditation scheme empowers south London CRP

We spoke to our Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP), Veronica Canuto, about the CRP Accredited Register and Directory. Veronica talked about her pride in achieving professional accreditation and how it will benefit her career and the wider profession.

The CRP Directory was launched by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) in 2018 as a platform for developing a community of practice. Eligible CRPs have been able to join the CRP Accredited Register since March 2021. Registration is a serious commitment to upholding standards and patient safety.

What did you have to do to become an accredited CRP?

The first thing that I did was to ensure my management's support and discuss the requirements for the process. For the accreditation, you must have at least one year of experience working at the practitioner level, the educational requirements, and work experience in an entry-level research delivery role. The accreditation process also required me to join the CRP directory, which provides a platform for our professional development.

I was also required to write my reflections on three aspects: professional accountability, leadership style and working across boundaries.

How do you feel about being an accredited CRP?

It feels wonderful to have achieved this fantastic milestone. The accreditation is an incredible stepping stone for my career as a CRP. Professional recognition will lead to better roles and professional development for the CRP community.

Why did you decide to become a registered CRP?

Before the accreditation, it felt hard to grow within the research industry, and quite a few times, I would see the demotivation of staff within this role. I often heard that the primary way to progress was to become a nurse, which greatly frustrated me. For one, because I am not interested in becoming a nurse (I have already attended university, and I don’t want to do another degree) and two, because I knew that I had the skills, knowledge and drive to grow as a CRP. The only thing that was lacking was the knowledge about how to progress.

However, a few years ago, whilst in my previous role as a Senior Clinical Trials Assistant, I was encouraged by a senior member of staff to apply for CRP accreditation. Initially, I didn’t feel the accreditation was important for my personal and professional development. However, as soon as I started looking more into it and attending the drop-in sessions, I understood the value of this registration for the future. I believe this will be a turning point in which to regulate the CRP pathway, which will lead to the further development of this role for people in the future.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Professional accreditation is an incredible opportunity for whoever is working at the practitioner level, and accreditation will benefit many of us in the future. My message to anyone looking to become an accredited CRP is to talk to your line manager or another senior member of staff who can advise and guide you through this process. In addition, there are drop-in sessions conducted regularly, and the event organisers can advise on any queries you might have.

The Directory and Register is part of a national strategy led by the NIHR to enable the growth and professional development of CRP roles as a key part of the research delivery workforce. You can find out more on the AHCS website.