The ICTR Research Coordinator Support Service (RCSS) is a pool of research coordinators that are available for hire on a part-time basis by Johns Hopkins researchers.
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About Us
Formerly known as the Study Coordinator Apprenticeship and Mentoring Program (SCAMP), the Research Coordinator Support Service (RCSS) provides flexible, fee-for-service research support to investigators and study teams across all phases of clinical research. RCSS offers access to a pool of trained coordinators who can support a wide range of customizable responsibilities on a part-time or short-term basis, allowing teams to scale resources based on their specific study needs.
Research Coordination Support
RCSS supports a wide range of study activities at all stages of research from study startup through closeout. The team has experience supporting drug and device studies, including industry-sponsored, federally funded and investigator-initiated studies across several disease states and disciplines. Services include, but are not limited to:
- Study coordination and management across all phases
- Participant recruitment, screening, consenting and scheduling
- Study visit preparation, conduct and participant follow-up
- Sample collection, processing, shipping and supply management
- Data entry and query resolution
- Regulatory document preparation and maintenance, including eForms and informed consent development and modification
- eIRB submissions (initial applications, changes in research, protocol events, continuing reviews and study termination) and ongoing regulatory support
- Study binder and essential document organization
- Source documents and case report form creation and management
Advanced and Senior-Level Support
RCSS also provides experienced and senior research staff to support studies requiring additional oversight and quality assurance. Services include:
- Study monitoring support, conducted remotely or onsite
- Source data verification (SDV) and source documentation review
- Data quality assessment and query management support
- Regulatory and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliance review
- Audit and inspection readiness support
- Study documentation quality control and process improvement
- Collaboration with research coordinators and study teams to improve efficiency
- Source document refinement to support protocol adherence and reduce deviations
Our Team
The RCSS pool includes a range of experience levels to match study needs:
- Coordinator Apprentices who have completed a structured training program and provide foundational support under supervision
- Research Coordinators who independently manage study activities and participant interactions
- Senior Research Staff who bring advanced expertise in complex study management, monitoring support, data quality review and regulatory compliance, and can provide oversight, mentoring and targeted quality assurance support.
Staff Training
All staff receive structured training prior to beginning work assignments with ongoing mentoring to ensure studies are conducted efficiently and in compliance with federal and University guidelines and regulations. At minimum, staff have completed the following: Human subject research protections, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), eIRB, OnCore, eReg, Epic, DOT/IATA, clinical skills (i.e., vital signs, ECG, and phlebotomy) and CPR.
This standardized training model ensures that all RCSS staff, including those providing senior-level support, deliver high-quality, compliant research services.
When to Use RCSS
RCSS is well suited for:
- Studies requiring part-time or temporary coordinator support
- Junior investigators without dedicated research staff as well as seasoned investigators seeking to expand their research portfolios
- Coverage during staff transitions, leave, or vacancies
- Study startup or closeout support
- Assistance with recruitment or data entry backlogs
- Preparation for sponsor audits or regulatory inspections
- Studies requiring additional oversight, monitoring, or data quality review
Scheduling
Scheduling is based on the number of hours needed per week. Hours may also be built into grants or structured as a salary support based on the full-time equivalent (FTE) effort needed.
If an investigator/department hires a coordinator or no longer needs support, the RCSS team will assist with the transition and will continue providing coverage until the transition is complete.
How It Works
Investigators submit a request outlining their study needs. The RCSS team reviews the request and matches the study with appropriately trained personnel. Services are billed hourly, and support can be adjusted as study needs evolve.
Staff are matched based on the complexity of the study and may include senior personnel for studies requiring oversight, monitoring, or quality assurance support.
Payments & Fees
RCSS operates as a fee-for-service program, providing investigators with an efficient way to obtain part-time research support. This service is ideal for both junior and experienced investigators when unexpected staffing gaps arise.
RCSS coordinators are not added to departmental payroll. Study teams receive a detailed monthly invoice billed directly to the study internal order number. The process is straightforward even for investigators with multiple studies or departments using multiple internal order numbers.
Effective July 1, 2025: (rates inclusive of all fringes)
- Research Coordinator support is $65 per hour
- Research Regulatory Specialist support is $70 per hour
- Senior research support, mentoring and onboarding is $70 per hour
Prior to beginning a work assignment, a study start-up meeting will be scheduled with the study team to establish a concise work agreement that outlines the responsibilities, tasks, and expected hours. The work agreement may be modified as situations change.
Why RCSS
- Flexible, scalable support tailored to study needs
- Access to trained and experienced research personnel
- Rapid staff deployment and onboarding
- Consistent quality through standardized training and oversight
- Ability to support both routine coordination, advanced study oversight, and quality assurance activities
Requesting Support
Click on the blue “Make a Request” field in the upper-right corner of this page. A member of our team will contact you within 1 business day.
Research Personnel Onboarding Program
RCSS also offers the Research Personnel Onboarding Program, designed to support newly hired or less experienced clinical research staff. This program provides a customized 6-8 week training plan that meets the learning need of both your study and the new hire. To learn more, visit Research Personnel Onboarding Program