Faced with the need to upskill a colleague with limited clinical research experience into a Clinical Study Manager role, Philips partnered with ECCRT to design a complete, year-long learning journey. Through a curated selection of foundational and advanced clinical research courses, the learner gained the competencies needed to move confidently into the CSM position.

About the Company

Philips is a global leader in health technology, developing innovative solutions that improve patient care and clinical outcomes. With a strong focus on medical devices and digital health, Philips teams work across complex regulatory, clinical, and operational environments where well-trained study managers are critical to successful clinical investigations.

Challenges and Objectives

Philips identified a colleague with strong potential but limited prior clinical research experience who needed to transition into a Clinical Study Manager (CSM) role.

The objectives were clear but demanding:

• Build a solid foundation in clinical research and medical device studies.
• Develop operational and project management competencies required for study oversight.
• Ensure training occurred within a 12-month timeframe, enabling reliable workforce planning.
• Provide a structured, comprehensive path without requiring internal mentoring resources.

A formal gap analysis had initially been considered but was ultimately not performed. Philips opted for a pre-defined, end-to-end course pathway tailored to the competencies required in the CSM role.

How ECCRT Helped

ECCRT developed a complete Individual Training Plan consisting of eight courses, combining eLearning, classroom sessions, and blended formats, all selected to progressively build the necessary knowledge base.

The final training plan included:

• Introduction to Clinical Research with Medical Devices (eLearning)
• ISO 14155 Good Clinical Practice Training (eLearning)
• Running Medical Device Studies (2-day classroom)
• Medical Device Regulations (1-day classroom)
• Clinical Research Training for Junior CRAs (2-day classroom)
• Fundamentals of Effective CRO Management and Oversight (1-day classroom)
• Clinical Project Management (blended)
• Risk Management in Clinical Research (blended)

ECCRT coordinated the entire training schedule, ensuring the learner could complete everything within 12 months, as requested.

The pathway emphasised:

• Regulatory grounding (ISO 14155, MDR context)
• Clinical research fundamentals
• Operational study conduct
• Vendor oversight and project management
• Risk-based thinking in medical device investigations

This stepwise, competency-aligned structure allowed the learner to gradually build confidence while applying new knowledge within Philips.

Results

By completing the full ECCRT training plan within the agreed timeframe, the Philips colleague:

• Gained a full foundational and operational understanding of clinical research with medical devices.
• Built practical skills needed for planning, conducting, and overseeing clinical investigations.
• Developed the readiness and confidence to transition successfully into the Clinical Study Manager

Philips confirmed that the participant is now prepared to step into the role, meeting the original objective of the development initiative.

Why Choose ECCRT?

Preparing new Clinical Study Managers requires more than a collection of courses. It demands a training partner who understands the realities of medical device clinical operations and can translate them into a structured, practical, and achievable development journey. ECCRT does exactly that.

In the Philips project, ECCRT delivered:

• A complete competency-based training path built specifically for individuals entering clinical research from non-clinical backgrounds.
• A progressive learning structure that mirrors the real-world responsibilities of a CSM, from regulatory fundamentals to vendor oversight and risk management.
• Flexible delivery formats (classroom, blended, and eLearning) that allowed the learner to complete the entire programme within the required 12-month window.
• A hassle-free process for the client: ECCRT handled all planning, enrolments, and logistics, allowing Philips to focus on workforce development rather than administration.
• Deep expertise in medical device clinical investigations, ensuring that the training aligned with current regulatory expectations and practical study execution.

For organisations looking to accelerate talent readiness in critical clinical roles, ECCRT offers a proven, scalable pathway that bridges the gap between potential and performance.

Get Ready to Strengthen Your Clinical Capabilities

Whether you’re onboarding a new colleague, transitioning talent internally, or expanding your clinical operations team, ECCRT can design a customised development plan that prepares your staff for success in roles such as Clinical Study Manager, Clinical Project Manager, CRA, or Study Coordinator.

If you need to upskill someone quickly and effectively — without overburdening internal teams — we can help.
Our training paths combine structure, flexibility, and real-world expertise to build capability where it matters most.

Let’s prepare your next generation of clinical leaders.

📩 Contact us today via the button below to design your own tailored training programme.