Check out our blog below to learn about the Trial Master File and gain insights on TMF careers!
Rocky III and the eTMF Specialist: Finding and Keeping Your Eye of the Tiger
Written by Nicole M. Palmer & John R. Nocero There’s something incredibly alluring about underdog stories; they tug at our heartstrings and allow us to see parts of ourselves in the character’s triumphs and defeats. For many, the movie “Rocky” is not just a cinematic masterpiece but a reflection of the highs and lows of…
READ ON25 Tips for Risk-Based Approaches to TMF Management
Written by Nicole M. Palmer In a time where new and amazing things are being invented every day, there’s an important change happening in the world of scientific experiments, a change that asks us to think differently about how we manage Trial Master Files (TMF). I see this as a chance to make the process much smoother…
READ ONRedefining TMF Training
Written by Nicole M. Palmer & John R. Nocero How many times do we just do our homework quickly to get it done, without really learning and understanding it all the way? It’s kind of the same with training in the trial master file. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Where there is smoke, there is…
READ ON5 Steps to GOAT Status as an eTMF Specialist
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero A G.O.A.T, or “Greatest of All Time,” is someone who excels in their field. A paragon of excellence. Best of the Best. Exceptional individual. Unwavering professionalism and exceptional conduct are only four values that GOATS exhibit on a daily basis. Everything is done with unwavering conviction.…
READ ONTMF Careers: Navigating the Illusion of Greener Grass and Finding Home
Written by Nicole M. Palmer & John R. Nocero Hey there! John and Nicole TMF vibes coming your way! Remember that catchy tune “Hook” by Blues Traveler? Well, it’s more than a melody—it’s a gateway to rethinking our take on the workplace boomerangs. Back in 2019, we started using the term “boomerang” to describe those…
READ ON15 Empowering Tips to Overcome the Sting of a Trial Master File (TMF) Job Layoff
Written by Nicole M. Palmer & John R. Nocero Imagine you had a Trial Master File job that you absolutely LOVED. A job that you loved so much where you were a TMF superhero. But one day, something unexpected happened, and you had to say goodbye to that job. It might feel like you’ve lost…
READ ONAre you a TMF Hero or a Villian?
You either become a TMF hero or stay employed long enough to see yourself become the villain of compliance. Let me share a cautionary tale about my journey with the Trial Master File. In 2020, I joined a clinical trial team and quickly became the go-to person for managing the Trial Master File. From the…
READ ONRecruiting Trial Master File Professionals: Essential Qualities and How to Stand Out
Recruiting the right Trial Master File professional is crucial for ensuring the smooth management of clinical trials. These individuals play a vital role in maintaining organized and compliant trial documentation, safeguarding data integrity, and supporting efficient regulatory submissions. In this blog, we will explore what qualities recruiters and hiring managers look for when recruiting TMF…
READ ONThe Importance of Researching Specific Roles in the Trial Master File for Your Career
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero When you are considering a career in the clinical research industry or looking to make a career shift it’s crucial to research and dive deep on the various roles available within the Trial Master File (TMF) to find your perfect fit. The TMF is an essential…
READ ONUnleashing the Power of Decentralization in Trial Master File Talent Acquisition
Greetings, Forward-thinking TMF Professionals! Welcome to the latest edition of Granular Level, your trusted source for all things related to the world of Trial Master File (TMF). In this issue, we explore the correlation between decentralized clinical trials and how employers should embrace decentralization when hiring TMF candidates. The Rise of Decentralized Clinical Trials Decentralized…
READ ONWhy Internal TMF Mock Inspections are Essential for Clinical Trial Success
Today, I want to talk about something that’s crucial for anyone working in the clinical research industry – the importance of conducting internal Trial Master File (TMF) mock inspections. For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, the TMF is a collection of essential documents that provides a complete history of…
READ ONInside a TMF Mind
By Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Motivation and personal development help people achieve their goals and become successful. Learning how to cultivate a positive and organized mindset when it comes to maintaining a Trial Master File is essential to ensure you are giving your best. The TMF is a very valuable piece for…
READ ONI Love the TMF: Your Guide to Staying Organized
Written by Nicole M. Palmer As a professional in the clinical research industry, you understand the importance of maintaining a well-organized TMF. It is the backbone of any clinical trial and contains all the documentation necessary to support the study’s conduct, from start to finish. But, with all the documents, processes, and stakeholders involved, staying…
READ ONAre You a Laggard in Clinical Research?
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and Edye Edens In a world of innovative and life-saving therapies, where we constantly push scientific and biomedical boundaries, how is our industry still full of late adopters? As a research compliance expert, this is one of the most frustrating elements of the clinical trial industry. We surround ourselves in…
READ ONFile Naming Conventions Matter
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Before you get started, it’s important to establish how you are going to name your files. This will ensure that your file names will remain consistent and that everyone will know what the process will look like and how it will work. Whether your TMF is…
READ ONFollow These 3 TMF Tips for Career Progression
Written by Nicole M. Palmer It’s that time of year when you start thinking about the New Year and New Goals! You are tired of staying stagnant. We are creatures by habit to stay in motion. We are meant to move. We can only stay in one spot for so long until we get restless.…
READ ONTrick or Treat Trial Master File
Trick or Treat TMF Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Trick or Treat? What are you going to be for Halloween? Today my team and I dressed as the Backstreet Boys as we presented a collaborative approach to compliance. It was something that we decided as a group to do – all…
READ ONTMF Gold
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero If you’ve been keeping up with the weather in Florida, hurricane Ian was a category 5, which brought high winds and heavy rainfall that resulted in flooding and power outages. Several homes and businesses have been destroyed. When it comes to hurricanes, there’s a lot of…
READ ONBurnout in Clinical Research Is Real
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Working in clinical research you can get burnout fast if you don’t set healthy boundaries. There are tight timelines and pressure from upward management to meet trial requirements. There’s always a sense of urgency. It’s important to set boundaries very early on. Set expectations and stick…
READ ONStaying Audit Ready means BEING PREPARED
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Inspections are the apex of the clinical trial. It is something that study teams prepare for, plan for and ultimately get nervous about when they are going on. If you haven’t ever been through an inspection before, here’s what you should expect, according to the FDA. Usually, the…
READ ONPeace, Love & Site Signature Sheet
Written by Nicole M. Pamer & John R. Nocero Last week, Nikki and I talked about Peace and what that brings to our lives. This week, we look at defining how to obtain a peaceful and up-to-date site signature sheet. It is easy to get into a war with the site signature sheet…rather, the people…
READ ONTMF Inspection Readiness: There are no Shortcuts
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Some people love making a meal in the crockpot because when you cook low and slow the result is worth the wait. Then some people like to zap something quick in the microwave and have instant results. However, the results between the two do not taste…
READ ONYou Paid Them How Much?
Written by Nicole M. Palmer, Edye T. Edens and John R. Nocero You just received a vendor invoice and were asked by upper ward management to file it in the Trial Master File. The study is still new, and a Trial Master File plan has not been created. The sponsor has requested that you use…
READ ONSites Up and Running Lightning Speed
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero “Lightning is a discharge of static electricity that has accumulated as a result of collisions between ice particles in storm clouds. The return stroke of a lightning bolt travels at approximately 100,000 kilometers per second, which is one-third the speed of light.” The pharmaceutical industry is booming!…
READ ON10 Ways to Break into The Trial Master File Industry with No Experience
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and Dante Alducin 6 months ago, I did a poll on LinkedIn, and I asked, “How did you break into the TMF industry.” Do you know that more than half responded with NO EXPERIENCE! I am living proof that if I can do it so can you. I will always advocate…
READ ONGet Your TMF Data Back in Shape with Integrity
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero Have you ever looked at dirty Trial Master File (TMF) data? I would be lying if I said, ‘No.’ That’s because I am a person with integrity. I like to follow the rules and your TMF should too. Let’s look at ICH GCP E6 R2 and…
READ ONTMF Secrets to Pass an Audit
Written by Nicole M. Palmer and John R. Nocero You just received written notice that the Trial Master File (TMF) that you are assigned is being audited by your internal QA department. Now what? Are you cool as a cucumber or sweating like you just ran a marathon? Being inspection ready is a lot like…
READ ONIf it’s FREE it’s for Me
Everybody loves free stuff. I know I do. Today I am sharing with you all of my FREE favorite things when it comes to looking for a job in the Trial Master File (TMF), FREE Good Clinical Practice Courses, and free TMF tips! My top 5 favorite ways to find that perfect TMF job! 1. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/ 2. https://www.indeed.com/ 3. https://www.simplyhired.com/ 4. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/…
READ ONReduce Note to Files with Root Cause Analysis
Written by Nicole M. Palmer Do you cringe when you hear someone say, “Oh we can just write a Note to File?” Those exact words are like nails on a chalkboard. Often note to files are red flags for inspectors or auditors, leading them to investigate and ask more questions. In clinical research, an effective…
READ ON3 Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing an eTMF Vendor
Bad Communication Communication is everything when you are choosing the right eTMF vendor. If your vendor is hard to get ahold of or doesn’t respond, you may need to consider walking away. If you have a meeting to discuss something with your vendor and they show up late or fail to communicate properly this can…
READ ONTaking the TMF to Face
Written by Nicole M. Palmer Pssssssssssst……Have you heard the news? I’ve created a group on Facebook called, Trial Master File @ The Granular Level. It is the ONLY trial master (TMF) file group on Facebook. I wanted to create this VIP group and provide a place to connect with other Trial Master File enthusiasts, discuss…
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