1

Patient Recruitment Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As the patient recruitment subject matter expert for assigned studies, this role proactively identifies enrolment risks, develops mitigation strategies, and drives execution of patient engagement ...

As the patient recruitment subject matter expert for assigned studies, this role proactively identifies enrolment risks, develops mitigation strategies, and drives execution of patient engagement ...

Patient Recruitment Specialist ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster. As a values ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Patient Recruitment information

See salary details

$8

$15

$20

How much do patient recruitment jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient recruitment in the United States is $15.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is patient recruitment?

Patient recruitment refers to the process of identifying, enrolling, and retaining suitable participants for clinical trials or medical studies. This role involves outreach to potential participants, ensuring they meet study criteria, and helping them understand the trial process. Effective patient recruitment is essential for the success of clinical trials because enrolling enough qualified participants ensures that study results are reliable and the trial can proceed on schedule. Specialists in this field often collaborate with healthcare providers, use advertising campaigns, and manage participant databases.

What does a recruitment specialist do?

A recruitment specialist is responsible for attracting, screening, and selecting candidates for job openings within an organization. They often use tools like applicant tracking systems and conduct interviews to ensure the best fit for the role, typically working within a set schedule and requiring strong communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Patient Recruitment, and why are they important?

To thrive in Patient Recruitment, you need a solid understanding of clinical trial processes, regulatory requirements, and strong organizational skills, often supported by a degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), recruitment tracking tools, and patient databases is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal communication, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving abilities help build trust with potential participants and facilitate collaboration with research teams. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure timely and effective enrollment, compliance, and the success of clinical research studies.

What are some common challenges faced in a Patient Recruitment role, and how can they be addressed?

Patient Recruitment professionals often encounter challenges such as meeting enrollment targets, reaching diverse patient populations, and maintaining participant engagement throughout clinical trials. These challenges can be effectively managed by building strong relationships with healthcare providers, utilizing digital outreach strategies, and ensuring clear, empathetic communication with potential participants. Collaborating closely with clinical teams and regularly reviewing recruitment metrics also helps to identify obstacles early and adapt strategies for better outcomes.

What does a patient recruiter do?

A patient recruiter identifies and contacts potential participants for clinical trials or medical studies, ensuring they meet specific eligibility criteria. They often work closely with healthcare providers and use communication skills to explain study details, obtain consent, and maintain participant engagement throughout the research process.

What is the difference between Patient Recruitment vs Clinical Research Coordinator?

AspectPatient RecruitmentClinical Research Coordinator
CredentialsMay require healthcare or research background, certifications varyTypically requires research certifications, nursing or healthcare background
Work EnvironmentOutreach, community engagement, healthcare settingsClinical sites, hospitals, research facilities
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, research organizations, hospitalsResearch institutions, hospitals, CROs
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on patient outreach and enrollmentFocuses on managing clinical trial processes

While both roles are essential in clinical trials, Patient Recruitment primarily involves identifying and enrolling suitable participants, whereas Clinical Research Coordinators manage the overall trial process, including data collection and compliance.

What is the meaning of patient recruitment?

Patient recruitment is the process used by professionals in clinical research and healthcare to identify, contact, and enroll suitable participants for medical studies or trials. It involves outreach, screening, and ensuring participants meet specific criteria to support the study's objectives.

How are people recruited for clinical trials?

Patient recruitment for clinical trials involves identifying eligible participants through methods such as advertising, physician referrals, and patient databases. Recruiters often use screening processes to verify eligibility criteria and may work with healthcare providers to ensure proper participant selection, adhering to ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements.
More about Patient Recruitment jobs
What cities are hiring for Patient Recruitment jobs? Cities with the most Patient Recruitment job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Patient Recruitment jobs? The most popular types of Patient Recruitment jobs are:
What states have the most Patient Recruitment jobs? States with the most job openings for Patient Recruitment jobs include:
Infographic showing various Patient Recruitment job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,816 per year, or $15.3 per hour.
Patient Recruitment Manager

Patient Recruitment Manager

Parexel

Remote

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Parexel rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 72 rated research


Job description

When our values align, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
At Parexel, we all share the same goal - to improve the world's health. From clinical trials to regulatory, consulting, and market access, every clinical development solution we provide is underpinned by something special - a deep conviction in what we do.

Each of us, no matter what we do at Parexel, contributes to the development of a therapy that ultimately will benefit a patient. We take our work personally, we do it with empathy and we're committed to making a difference.

US or Canada remote position

Clinical Trial Patient Recruitment is responsible for leading patient recruitment and retention strategies across assigned clinical trials. Working closely with Study Teams, Clinical Development, CROs, and external vendors, this role ensures recruitment plans are developed, implemented, and optimized to support study enrolment targets and timelines.

As the patient recruitment subject matter expert for assigned studies, this role proactively identifies enrolment risks, develops mitigation strategies, and drives execution of patient engagement, recruitment, and retention activities. This position serves as the functional representative for patient recruitment on Clinical Trial Working Groups (CTWGs) and provides strategic guidance throughout study planning, conduct, and closeout.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of program and study-level patient recruitment and retention strategies in partnership with Program/Study leads, Clinical Development, CROs, and external vendors
  • Provide strategic input into protocol and operational planning to identify enrolment opportunities, recruitment risks, and retention challenges.
  • Assess country, site, and patient population considerations to support realistic enrolment planning and forecasting.
  • Drive execution of recruitment and retention activities against agreed timelines, budget, and enrolment objectives.
  • Monitor recruitment performance and key metrics, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for optimization.
  • Develop and implement mitigation and contingency plans when enrolment or retention targets are at risk.
  • Ensure patient-facing activities and materials align with study objectives, protocol requirements, regulatory requirements, and organizational standards.
  • Provide oversight of CROs and specialist vendors supporting patient recruitment and retention activities.
  • Evaluate and recommend recruitment solutions, technologies, and patient engagement partners to support study enrolment goals.
  • Build effective working relationships across internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and timely delivery of recruitment initiatives.
  • Provide regular updates on recruitment performance, risks, mitigation plans, and key performance indicators to study teams and leadership.
  • Support inspection readiness and study closeout activities through appropriate documentation and oversight of recruitment-related activities.
  • Contribute to the enhancement of recruitment tools, methodologies, and best practices across the clinical development portfolio.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Success in this role requires a high degree of independence, initiative, and accountability. The individual must be comfortable establishing processes, driving decisions, and managing multiple stakeholders with minimal direction
  • Demonstrated expertise in patient recruitment and retention strategy within clinical research.
  • Strong understanding of recruitment approaches, including direct-to-patient outreach, digital and social media campaigns, patient advocacy partnerships, site-based recruitment, and healthcare professional engagement.
  • Proven ability to interpret patient data and translate insights into actionable recruitment strategies.
  • Experience managing CROs and external vendors delivering recruitment and patient engagement services.
  • Ability to identify and mitigate enrolment risks and develop pragmatic solutions in a dynamic study environment.
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and geographies.
  • Experience developing or reviewing patient/HCP-facing recruitment materials and supporting health literacy considerations.
  • Understanding of data privacy, informed consent, and regulatory considerations associated with patient recruitment activities.
  • Proficiency with clinical trial systems, reporting tools, and data visualization platforms.

Required/Preferred Education and Licenses

  • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Public Health, Marketing, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in patient recruitment, patient engagement, or clinical trial enrolment strategy within a pharmaceutical company, CRO, or specialist vendor.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, global patient recruitment programs and delivering enrolment outcomes

#LI-LG4

EEO Disclaimer
Parexel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, which in the US includes race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.


What Parexel employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


PAREXEL logo

About PAREXEL

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Bring your Data Management expertise to Parexel's Strategic Partnerships. Although we work globally, each partnership we form is deeply personal. We are as dedicated to every aspect of our client's product development as they are - and work closely with client teams in true partnership to understand both challenges and opportunities. At Parexel we are focused on meeting customer and patient needs through collaborative partnership so that we get treatments into the hands of patients who need them most.

Industry

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Waltham, MA, US

Year founded

1983