Clinical SAS Programmer Job Description Sample

Job Summary of Clinical SAS Programmer

As a Clinical SAS Programmer, you will play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry by supporting clinical trials and research studies. Your primary responsibility will be developing and maintaining SAS programs for data analysis and reporting in clinical trials.

Clinical SAS Job Overview:

A Clinical SAS Programmer is a specialized professional who leverages their expertise in SAS programming and knowledge of clinical trials to analyze and report clinical trial data. They ensure data integrity, accuracy, and regulatory compliance throughout the clinical trial process.

Clinical SAS Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop, validate, and maintain SAS programs for clinical trial data analysis, including statistical analyses, tables, listings, and figures (TLFs).
• Perform data manipulation, transformation, and quality control procedures using SAS programming techniques to ensure data integrity and accuracy.
• Collaborate with statisticians and clinical teams to generate statistical outputs, including summary tables and clinical study reports (CSRs)
• Create and maintain programming documentation, including annotated SAS code, validation plans, and data specifications.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory guidelines, industry standards (e.g., CDISC standards), and company SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) throughout the programming process.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to support study objectives and timelines, including clinical data management, biostatistics, and medical writing.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Base SAS, SAS/STAT, SAS/GRAPH, and SAS macro language.
• Understanding of clinical trial design, data collection, and analysis methodologies.
• Experience with data cleaning, validation, and documentation.
• Familiarity with basic statistical concepts and techniques.
• Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and errors.
• Effective written and verbal communication to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Aptitude for analyzing complex data and developing solutions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., statistics, computer science, life sciences).
• Typically, 2+ years of experience in SAS programming within a clinical research environment.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9, SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9) are a plus.

Career Path:

Clinical SAS Programmers can advance to roles like Senior SAS Programmer, Lead SAS Programmer, or Statistical Programmer Analyst. They may also transition into related fields like biostatistics, data management, or regulatory affairs.

Diverse Career Opportunities:

SAS clinical programmers can find employment opportunities across various industries in the US, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and even finance and marketing.
This versatility and high demand translate to competitive salaries and the ability to work on challenging and impactful projects.

Average Salary in the United States:

According to Sulekha, the average salary for a Clinical SAS Programmer in the United States is $138,580 annually.
The highest salary for a Clinical SAS Programmer in the United States is $182,440 annually.
Industry Growth and Outsourcing:
The current size of the clinical trials market in the US is estimated to be $49.8 billion, and it is expected to grow to $78.3 billion by 2030.
This growth, along with the cost advantages and availability of skilled labor, has led to an increase in clinical SAS programming work outsourcing to countries like India.