INC Research, a global phase I to IV CRO, has achieved the “Bronze Standard” within the IAOCR Clinical Operations Workforce Quality Accreditation program. INC is the first CRO to achieve accreditation under the new program, which is designed to serve as an international benchmark on clinical operations excellence.

“INC Research is committed to providing the highest quality clinical development services to our customers worldwide through an exceptionally well-trained, competent and passionate workforce,” said Alistair Macdonald, president and chief operating officer, INC Research. “This accreditation helps validate our approach to ensuring a high-quality clinical trials workforce and further demonstrates to customers that they are working with a company that sets the standard for building and maintaining a skilled professional team. The accreditation also supports our ‘Culture of Opportunity,’ a commitment we have made to be the ‘CRO of Choice’ for talented professionals to build long-term, rewarding careers.”

“IAOCR has been working with INC for three years on a number of initiatives,” added Jacqueline Johnson North, CEO and co-founder, IAOCR. “Their commitment to being the first CRO to gain the Clinical Operations Workforce Quality Accreditation is a sign of their dedication to ensuring a high-quality workforce. IAOCR works with many CROs and sponsors and we can confidently say that INC Research is one of the most forward-thinking companies in our industry when it comes to ensuring their employees are both competent and engaged. INC is committed to investing in its people and we are therefore delighted to award them the bronze level IAOCR Workforce Quality Accreditation.”

The Clinical Operations Workforce Quality Accreditation program has been developed in collaboration with industry experts in response to demand from CROs and pharmaceutical companies for a globally consistent and transparent system for recognizing organizations that have good workforce quality practices in place. In awarding the bronze accreditation to INC Research, IAOCR reviewers noted the company maintains an exceptional technical training program in line with job descriptions, employees have access to and understand how to obtain critical training, there is a robust process within the company for learning needs analysis and there is a well-developed performance management and “red flag” system. 

The IAOCR Workforce Quality Accreditation recognizes four levels of accreditation, including foundational elements of quality. These characteristics must be verified to achieve accreditation in the following order:

• Foundation—Company has accurate job descriptions and employees have access to core training for technical skills required to conduct quality clinical research.
• Bronze—Company has a proven “red flag” system for identifying and addressing lack of competence in high risk areas as well as a robust and systematic performance management system for employees.
• Silver—Company demonstrates employee engagement is an organizational priority; vision, values, goals and objectives are communicated across the organization, and the company invests in developing role-appropriate skills.
• Gold—Competence of employees is verified against core global standards and 100% of clinical operations personnel undergo independent competence assessments within 12 months of entering a new role.

By achieving bronze-level accreditation, INC has established itself as a company committed to maintaining best practices. The company intends to continue with the program to achieve Silver and Gold accreditation over time. To date, no other CROs have achieved accreditation through the program.

IAOCR is an accrediting organization for the international clinical research industry. The company works with organizations that are serious about improving the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical trials by addressing the human factors that work alongside the technologies and processes. IAOCR accreditations have been built specifically for the clinical research industry. They provide a quality mark to organizations committed to providing globally consistent, high quality clinical trials workforces.