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Clinical Operations Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Clinical Operations Specialist Rate: $28.50/HR Location: 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486 Qualifications: Education Requirements: High School Degree or Equivalent with 0 3 years related ...

The Clinical Operations Specialist I (COS I) is responsible for managing all clinical operations reporting related to timely documentation and compliance. The COS I also manages all office and ...

Role As a Clinical Operations Specialist at SmarterDx, you will be responsible for conducting comprehensive chart reviews and clinical validation of AI diagnostic models to support clinical ...

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Clinical Operations Specialist information

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$10

$33

$82

How much do clinical operations specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for clinical operations specialist in the United States is $33.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Clinical Operations Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Clinical Operations Specialist, you need expertise in clinical research processes, project management, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a life sciences degree and experience in clinical trials. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), regulatory platforms, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enable seamless coordination between research teams and stakeholders. These skills are crucial for ensuring clinical trials are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in accordance with regulatory standards.

What do you do in clinical operations?

A Clinical Operations Specialist manages and oversees the planning, execution, and monitoring of clinical trials to ensure they are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with regulations. They coordinate between research teams, vendors, and regulatory bodies, often utilizing project management tools and maintaining detailed documentation throughout the trial process.

What is the difference between Clinical Operations Specialist vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectClinical Operations SpecialistClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in health sciences or related field; certifications like CCRP or SOCRA often preferredBachelor's degree in health sciences, biology, or related field; often holds certifications like CCRP or CCRC
Work EnvironmentTypically works in clinical trial management, overseeing study operations, compliance, and logisticsPrimarily involved in patient recruitment, data collection, and site coordination
Employer & IndustryPharmaceutical companies, CROs, biotech firmsHospitals, research institutions, clinical trial sites

The Clinical Operations Specialist focuses on managing and coordinating clinical trial processes, ensuring compliance and efficiency. In contrast, the Clinical Research Coordinator handles patient interactions, data collection, and site management. Both roles require similar credentials and certifications but differ in daily responsibilities and work settings.

What Is a Clinical Operations Specialist?

A clinical operations specialist oversees the functions of lab work and other aspects of a health care facility. As a clinical operations specialist, you coordinate with administrative staff to determine costs based on market research. You also evaluate processes with the goal of streamlining and improving daily operations. To become a clinical operations specialist, you need a bachelor’s degree in the sciences or a related field and several years of experience in the health care industry.

What does a clinical operations specialist do?

A clinical operations specialist manages and oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of clinical trials to ensure they run efficiently and comply with regulatory standards. They handle tasks such as site management, data collection, and communication between teams, often using specialized software and requiring knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

In the US, high-paying roles such as senior clinical operations specialists, pharmaceutical executives, and medical directors can earn $300,000 or more annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities within healthcare or biotech companies.

How much do clinical specialists make in the US?

Clinical Operations Specialists in the US typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Salaries can vary based on the complexity of clinical trials and the size of the organization, with some roles offering additional benefits and bonuses.

What are some common challenges faced by a Clinical Operations Specialist and how can they be managed?

Clinical Operations Specialists often navigate tight project timelines, regulatory compliance requirements, and the coordination of cross-functional teams. Balancing the demands of multiple studies while ensuring that protocols are followed can be challenging. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and proactive problem-solving are key to managing these hurdles. Regular collaboration with clinical research associates, data managers, and regulatory teams helps ensure smooth study execution and timely issue resolution.
What cities are hiring for Clinical Operations Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Clinical Operations Specialist job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Clinical Operations Specialist jobs? The top employers for Clinical Operations Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Clinical Operations Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Clinical Operations Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Clinical Operations Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Clinical Operations Specialist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Clinical Operations Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,570 per year, or $33.4 per hour.
Clinical Operations Specialist

Clinical Operations Specialist

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


University Of California San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

225th of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description


Applies extensive knowledge of ambulatory care clinics clinical, regulatory, and operational practices to improve access efficiency and productivity. Coordinates and monitors operations of ambulatory care clinics in conjunction with Nurse Manager and Medical Directors. Implements projects of large scope and high degrees of complexity. The Clinical Operations Specialist analyzes and determines clinical coverage needs of Parnassus, Mission Bay, and Mt. Zion Hospital Operating Rooms, the Orthopedic Institute, and all off-site Anesthesia sites, in both operating and non-operating locations. This individual then analyzes staffing availability data and develops staffing of more than 298 Anesthesiologists. This requires coordination with individuals charged with CRNA and clinical residents.
The Clinical Operations Specialist analyzes and determines clinical coverage needs of Parnassus, Mission Bay, and Mt. Zion Hospital Operating Rooms, the Orthopedic Institute, and all off-site Anesthesia sites, in both operating and non-operating locations. This individual then analyzes staffing availability data and develops staffing of more than 298 Anesthesiologists. This requires coordination with individuals charged with CRNA and clinical residents. This position must ensure appropriate coverage is provided for several specialty services, in addition to the operating rooms. Any staffing deficiencies or inappropriate coverage may pose risks to patient safety and affect the department's operating costs. The position is responsible for identifying, analyzing and resolving staffing conflicts; moreover, the Clinical Operations Specialist is responsible for providing notice to principals (faculty, managers and staff) regarding amendments and modifications. The Clinial Operations Specialist must ensure the faculty are scheduled accordingly to their clinical requirements as established by their annual contracts. This has direct impact to the individual's clinical incentive compensation and the Department's operating costs.
The Clinical Operations Specialist assesses, identifies, and implements process improvements and AI or other automation opportunities for the clinical operations workflows within their scope of work. This may include, but is not limited to, new technology solutions and the creation and implementation of AI and machine learning-enabled care workflows, in partnership and close collaboration with clinical and administrative professionals within the Anesthesia Department and across other parts of the UCSF enterprise.
The Clinical Operations Specialist will report directly to the Director of Clinical Operations with close working partnerships with the Vice Chairs of the Department of Anesthesia.
Department Description:
The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at UCSF provides outstanding patient care, promotes cutting-edge basic and clinical science research, and educates the next generation of health care providers while focusing on the principles of community.
The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care ranks as one of the largest departments in the School of Medicine with an annual budget of $145 million. The two largest components of the annual budget are Professional Fee Income and Extramural Funds, representing 90.4% or $132 million (including ZSFG professional fees and 6.9% or $10.1 million of the annual budget respectively. Currently, the department has over 298 Faculty members, 27 Staff Physicians, 205 Staff Employees, 6 Fellows, 90 Residents, 12 Non-Faculty Academics, 11 postdocs, 68 CRNAs, and 5 Nurse Practitioners at ZSFG.
In addition to the Moffitt-Long Hospital, very active units of the department exist at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (inpatient and outpatient, including a very active trauma service), San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (inpatient and outpatient), Mt. Zion Medical Center (outpatient, including 23-hour stays and the Pain Management Center), Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, the UCSF Orthopedic Institute and the Benioff Children's, Betty Irene Moore Women's and Bakar Cancer (NIH-designated Cancer Center) Hospitals in the Mission Bay neighborhood.
The Department now has essential roles in patient care outside of the operating rooms, with active participation in Ambulatory Care, Acute and Chronic Pain, and in the Preoperative Clinic. Over the department's fifty-plus years of existence, the department has been at the heart of modern anesthesia's explosive growth, and to this day, continues to have an enormous impact on surgical practice and the management of pain. The department's research, education, and clinical care quickly earned and maintained reputations that are equal to or better than any institution in the world. Individual members of our faculty have had a major influence on our specialty both nationally and internationally, including NIH study sections, NIH funding, FDA, and Editorial Boards. Research activities within this department are integrated with and inform clinical practice. For many years, ours has been among the top departments for NIH research funding in anesthesia in the United States.
The Department of Anesthesia provides considerable support and structure for research in general and, for research training programs, highlighted by the innovative Pathway to Scientific Independence (PSI). This program begins at the residency level, incorporating the Research Scholars Track of the Anesthesia Residency, moving through the post-residency NIH-funded T32 training grant and faculty positions with mentored research support, and ultimately achieving extramurally funded, independent researcher status.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
  • Minimum 5 years of related experience
  • Experience with and knowledge of software development, automation of workflows and or computer science background/education/training
  • Advanced understanding of medical terminology and maintains a broad range of clinical expertise in theory and best practices of clinic practice area.
  • Skills in data management.
  • Proven ability to apply knowledge of medical center policies and procedures and related legislative, accreditation, licensing and compliance environments to assess and monitor clinic operations to recommend improvements in clinic processes.
  • Advanced communication skills; includes verbal and written, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate about clinic operations and advocate for clinic.
  • Advanced interpersonal skills. Skills to work collaboratively; coordinate and integrate with others throughout the organization.
  • Successful experience working with people with a wide range of backgrounds and skills.
  • Advanced organizational and complex project management skills.
  • Ability to lead a team, prioritize personal and team tasks and see projects through from inception to completion on schedule.
  • Exceptional customer service, analytical, planning, problem-solving, interpersonal and team-building skills.
  • Ability to effectively persuade and negotiate results in complex situations.
  • Ability to perform all commonly applicable functions in the Microsoft Suite.
  • Ability to teach others.
  • Excellent mathematical, analytical and communication (verbal and written) skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree
  • Advanced knowledge of organization's relevant healthcare and clinic operations information technology, including billing systems and medical record documentation.
  • Proficiency in QGenda scheduling platform
  • Experience with QGenda plaform for scheduling and reporting functions
  • Prior working knowledge of the EPIC (Apex) system
  • Proficiency in FileMaker Pro
  • Experience working in an Academic Medical Center and the Surgery/Anesthesia Departments
  • Experience with provider scheduling, preferably in Anesthesia or Surgical Specialties
  • Advanced knowledge of data analysis, research and reporting, particularly methods used in ambulatory care clinics.
  • Advanced knowledge of the clinical and operational implications of ambulatory care clinic practice management including patient care workflows and processes.

About Us
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

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