Life at PSI CRO

Working, training, and connecting at PSI CRO.

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A Journey of Growth and Success at PSI: Insights from a Principal Clinical Research Associate

This spotlight story explores Monika’s career growth, her appreciation of PSI’s inclusive culture, and offers insights into what influences a successful career.

Describe your role within PSI, the responsibilities you handle on a day-to-day basis, and how your role impacts a clinical trial? 

I am the Principal Clinical Research Associate in Germany. This role entails two primary responsibilities:

  1. In collaboration with the local clinical operations managers, I dedicate half my time to identifying and solving challenges facing our local team. I’m available to offer guidance when local CRAs require additional input regarding general work-related queries. Whether it’s providing personalized training to individuals or conducting training sessions for the entire CRA team in Germany – I’m actively involved. Additionally, I support local Clinical Operations managers in tracking the status of supervised field training, ensuring adherence to our Standard Operating Procedures and undertake supervisory monitoring when necessary. These on-site visits serve multiple purposes: sharing my expertise with junior colleagues, verifying compliance with PSI standards, and gaining firsthand insights into the challenges our sites and monitors face. By addressing these challenges, we can develop solutions and prevent recurrence across other sites and studies.
  2. The second half of my time is devoted to my role as a regional lead in an oncology trial. In this capacity, I oversee various layers of progress towards achieving project milestones while also addressing emerging issues. In essence, I provide support to the Project Manager on one side and the lead monitors on the other. My goal is to ensure the collection of reliable and high-quality study data, all in accordance with ICH-GCP, local regulatory requirements, SOPs, and timelines.

Have you grown in your career with PSI? 

Definitely! When I initially joined PSI as a Clinical Research Associate I (CRA I), I had only about a year of monitoring experience and had conducted a limited number of site visits. My self-confidence was relatively low, and I felt extremely uncomfortable when it came to addressing errors with sites. I often worried that I might be the one at fault rather than them. However, with significant support and encouragement from my colleagues and line manager, I managed to overcome this fear within a few months. The open and inclusive atmosphere fostered an environment where I felt comfortable asking what I perceived to be very basic questions without the fear of judgment.

Over time, I advanced through the roles of CRA II, Senior CRA I, Senior CRA II, and now, seven years later, I hold the position of Principal CRA. Through this journey, I have become more resilient and less easily intimidated. I’ve developed the ability to identify mistakes in a more constructive manner than before. Presently, I play a role in providing guidance and reassurance to my colleagues, which is incredibly fulfilling as it allows me to contribute back to the team. Interestingly, many of the questions I’m asked by my colleagues mirror the ones I encountered myself during my earlier years in a junior role.

What do you find most rewarding about your career at PSI, and how does it align with your personal and professional goals?

Throughout the years marked by the impact of COVID-19, our workload appeared to escalate significantly. Tasks that used to take only 20 minutes to complete on-site now consumed hours due to remote work. Even as we navigate the aftermath, staff shortages at sites continue to pose challenges. To ensure project progress despite these hurdles, a substantial amount of additional effort was required from all parties at PSI. Importantly, I never perceived these extra efforts as going unnoticed. What I find particularly gratifying is the consistent acknowledgment and gratitude I receive from colleagues, my line manager, and the project teams. This daily recognition not only makes me feel valued as an employee but also as an individual.

What skills or qualities do you believe are crucial for someone to excel in their career at PSI, and how have you developed or honed these skills throughout your career?

Effective communication and a service-oriented mindset are crucial factors. I firmly believe that many of the challenges we encounter in our daily work stem from gaps in communication with sites, colleagues, and clients. The smoother our communication of expectations, feedback, and priorities, the more seamless our journey towards achieving our objectives and project success becomes.

Since joining PSI, I’ve been consistently amazed at the high level of teamwork, our capacity to provide and receive well-deserved praise, and the sheer enjoyment of being part of such a cohesive unit.

What aspects of PSI’s culture do you appreciate the most, and how do they contribute to your overall job satisfaction?

Even before my initial start, it was PSI’s personal touch that left a lasting impression on me. Just before Christmas, I had sent my signed contract to work with PSI. A few days later, I received a Christmas card signed by all the individuals I had met and conversed with during my interview. The card conveyed their anticipation of seeing me again soon. This gesture only amplified my excitement for my impending first day at work.

Upon beginning my role, the international ambiance of the Munich office struck me profoundly. Given that I had spent nearly five years living in Oxford, I was feeling nostalgic for that place. Thus, hearing the diverse range of English accents resonating throughout the office brought a sense of familiarity. This sentiment was further magnified by our global operations. Connecting with colleagues from around the world and gaining insights from their perspectives consistently broadens my understanding.

I also find the approach to handling mistakes at PSI to be exceptional. Instead of focusing on punitive measures for those responsible, the emphasis is placed on preventing such errors from recurring. This differs from my previous experiences. Equally noteworthy is the open atmosphere that encourages individuals to openly acknowledge any missteps. This level of transparency is truly unparalleled.

What excites you about your career with PSI? 

Reflecting on my journey, I can clearly trace my evolution from where I began to where I am today. In just seven years, I have transformed into a recognized expert in my field. Along the way, I encountered a variety of challenges, such as supporting inspections in a study I wasn’t initially assigned to, at sites I hadn’t previously worked with. Remarkably, not only did I navigate these situations successfully, but I emerged even stronger than when I entered them.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that allowed me to experience these challenges and discover my capabilities and potential. It’s enlightening to witness what I can accomplish when the need arises. While I wish more individuals could gain similar experiences, I acknowledge that hindsight often makes looking back easier than peering into the future. If given the choice, I’m uncertain whether I would have willingly selected such challenges, yet I’m ultimately thankful for the growth they facilitated.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career with PSI? 

Give it a shot! If you thrive on being part of a collaborative team and are enthusiastic about learning something new each day, this could be the perfect fit for you. I personally feel valued for who I am, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t experience the same here.

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? Learn what makes PSI so unique, and check out our open positions.

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Unleashing Your Potential: Advantages of a Career as a Clinical Research Associate at PSI 

Are you passionate about medical research and making a positive impact on patient lives? If so, a career as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) may be the perfect fit for you.

CRAs at PSI CRO are integral members of our motivated and driven team of high-level professionals and play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. This blog post highlights the advantages of a career as a CRA at PSI.

  • Pioneering Scientific Advancements: 

As a CRA, you directly contribute to the development of new drugs, treatments, and medical devices for patients around the world. By overseeing clinical trials, ensuring their integrity, and adhering to regulatory guidelines, you become an agent of change in the field of medicine. Your efforts contribute to breakthroughs that can save lives, relieve suffering, and enhance the overall well-being of patients.

 

  • Continuous Learning and Professional Growth: 

A career as a CRA is an ongoing journey of learning and professional development. You gain a profound understanding of clinical research methodologies, regulatory compliance, and industry standards.

 

At PSI, we offer dedicated training and development programs to ensure that our team members are confident in their ability to do their job and receive the necessary skills and training to progress in their careers. We offer a CRA I training program for colleagues wishing to enter into a career as a CRA, a lead monitor program, and a clinical trial lead training program. In addition, several training courses are available for team members with a desire to broaden their therapeutic expertise with intensive GI, Oncology, and Hematology programs. Through our training programs, you’ll be able to expand your knowledge base and refine your skill set.

 

  • Varied and Stimulating Work: 

Each day brings new challenges and exciting tasks. From site selection and study initiation to monitoring, data collection, and reporting, your work is multifaceted. You interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including investigators, study coordinators, and regulatory authorities, honing your communication skills. This dynamic environment keeps you engaged, motivated, and continuously learning.  

 

  • Global Opportunities:

The world of clinical research knows no boundaries. PSI CRAs may find themselves working on international studies or collaborating with teams from different countries. This global exposure not only expands your professional network but also enriches your cultural understanding. Working on diverse projects and encountering varying healthcare systems enhances your adaptability, flexibility, and cross-cultural communication skills.  

 

  • Making a Positive Impact on Patient Lives:

One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a PSI CRA is the direct impact you have on patient lives. By ensuring the integrity and compliance of clinical trials, you contribute to the safety and well-being of the individuals participating in these studies. The medications and treatments developed through these trials have the potential to improve, extend, or even save lives. Your dedication and meticulous work directly translate into improved patient outcomes and a brighter future for healthcare. As a PSI CRA, you contribute to our driving mantra, “Every Patient Counts.”

 

A career as a CRA opens a gateway to a world of exciting possibilities. By becoming a driving force in clinical trials, you contribute to scientific advancements, benefit patient lives, and help to shape the future of healthcare.

 

Join PSI’s league of dedicated professionals committed to advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, and making a lasting impact on health around the world.

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Doug Shannon’s Journey of Impact and Innovation at PSI

Doug Shannon, a manager on PSI’s process improvement team, is driven by a passion for intelligent automation and improving healthcare outcomes. In this spotlight story, explore his journey to clinical research, the impact of his role in PSI’s digital transformation, and his insights for those considering a career at PSI.

How did you become interested in clinical research, and what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?

My interest in clinical research stems from my innate desire to contribute to the improvement of healthcare. I have always been passionate about finding ways to make a positive impact in the field. This motivation drove me to pursue a career in the life sciences field, where I can actively work towards enhancing outcomes and making a difference.

Describe your role at PSI and how it impacts a clinical trial

As an Intelligent Automation Leader at PSI, my role revolves around spearheading the creation and management of a Center of Enablement for digital transformation in healthcare. On a daily basis, I am responsible for overseeing the implementation of intelligent automation solutions and driving innovation within the organization.

In this capacity, I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement, streamline processes, and leverage emerging technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical trials. By leveraging automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, my role directly impacts the entire clinical trial lifecycle, from protocol design and patient recruitment to data analysis and regulatory compliance.

My goal is to ensure that our organization stays at the forefront by leveraging the power of technology to drive positive solutions.

What do you find most rewarding about your career at PSI, and how does it align with your personal and professional goals?

The most rewarding aspect of my career at PSI is harnessing the power of intelligent automation technologies to drive operational efficiency and improve patient care.

Aligning with my personal and professional goals, this role enables me to combine my passion for healthcare with my expertise in automation. By leveraging advanced technologies, we can impact clinical trials by streamlining our process and enhancing our efficiency and its effectiveness. Witnessing the positive impact and meaningful change my work brings is truly fulfilling. It gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction to know that my work is directly contributing to the improvement of patient care and the overall healthcare ecosystem.

Furthermore, being part of a progressive organization like PSI allows me to collaborate with talented individuals, exchange knowledge, and stay at the forefront of innovation in our industry. PSI’s involvement with intelligent automation presents continuous learning opportunities and the ability to drive significant positive change.

What aspects of PSI’s culture do you appreciate, and how do they contribute to your overall job satisfaction?

I greatly appreciate PSI’s culture and the core values that drive our organization. These values, including delivering wow service, being a teammate, walking the talk to deliver results, striving for excellence while remaining humble, staying lean, and excelling in communication, create a supportive and dynamic environment that fosters my job satisfaction. They enable me to contribute meaningful work every day.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career with PSI?

I would emphasize the importance of embodying our core values, they truly guide our work and are essential for success in our organization.

Additionally, I encourage you to embrace the mindset of continuous improvement. The digital transformation journey is ongoing, and there will always be opportunities to innovate and optimize processes further. Being adaptable, open to learning, and proactive in seeking new solutions will contribute to your growth and contribute to the success of our digital transformation initiatives.

Joining PSI offers a unique chance to be part of a team that is revolutionizing healthcare through technology. By embracing our core values and actively contributing to the journey of digital transformation, you will not only find personal fulfillment but also can make a meaningful impact on clinical trial processes and outcomes.

***

Interested in joining a collaborative global team and making a difference in your career and for patients around the world? Click here to explore our open positions.

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King of Prussia Office Receives Prestigious Best Places to Work Award for 5th Year in a Row 

PSI CRO is excited to announce that its King of Prussia office has been recognized as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work for 2023. This prestigious accolade acknowledges PSI’s exceptional company culture, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to its employees, as voted on by the dedicated professionals within the organization.   

This achievement marks the fifth consecutive year that PSI’s King of Prussia team has been honored with this esteemed award, reflecting the office’s consistent dedication to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and excel. 

“We are very proud to be named one of Philadelphia’s Best Places to Work for a fifth year in a row,” says Tom Flud, Director of Operations in PSI’s King of Prussia office. “During the last five years, PSI’s King of Prussia office has experienced substantial growth and transformation, while overcoming challenges posed by a global pandemic. Throughout this journey, our dedicated employees have continued to flourish, demonstrating unwavering resilience and a commitment to our belief that Every Patient Counts.” 

The selection process for the Best Places to Work award involves a partnership between Philadelphia Business Journal and Quantum Workplace. The public nominates companies, and employees at these nominated companies are then invited to complete an online survey that assesses various aspects of company culture, including compensation, benefits, and trust in senior leadership. 

At PSI CRO, cultivating a strong culture is a top priority, both in the King of Prussia office and across all global locations. The company’s foundation is built on stability and longevity, with a group of managers who founded PSI a quarter of a century ago still actively involved in the organization today. This enduring stability has fostered a unified global culture that spans six continents. 

The company adheres to seven core values that guide its business practices, and serve as the bedrock of PSI’s growth and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service for more than 25 years. With a workforce of more than 2,700 employees worldwide, these values ensure that PSI maintains its unique path of organic growth and customer-centric dedication.  

For more information and to explore opportunities to join the dynamic PSI team, please visit our careers page

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Expert Tips to Help You Prepare For Your Job Interview

Preparing for a job interview can be overwhelming. Candidates often ask themselves questions like, “How can I best prepare” “What if I don’t have all the skills necessary,” and “What is the interviewer expecting of me?” To help answer these questions, we’ve connected with the experts here at PSI to learn their tips for assisting candidates in preparing for and acing their interviews.

Be Honest About Your Skills and Experience

“In your interview, be honest about your skills and professional experience. If you lack expertise in certain areas, recognize that and focus on your transferable skills and knowledge that can make up for it. For example, if you haven’t done a certain task before, describe your theoretical training and how you can apply that to handle the job. It’s also important when you’re presenting yourself during the interview that you strike a healthy balance between enthusiasm and overconfidence. Avoid using cliches or generic answers that you can’t back up with real examples; instead, be specific to avoid sounding too rehearsed.”

– Ksenia Solovyeva, Recruitment Director

 Do Your Research and Come Prepared With Questions

“An interview should never be one-sided. In your interview, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, so make sure you’ve researched beforehand and crafted thoughtful questions that align with the job description and company culture. The interview is also an opportunity to see if PSI aligns with your values and expectations. Be sure to ask yourself, “Why am I interested in this position? How does this role relate to what I seek for my career and professional future?” “What are my expectations for this opportunity?” These questions will help you understand why you’re interested in the position and help you be more prepared.”

– Leticia Secler, Recruiter

Provide Tangible Examples to Support Your Professional Experience

“During your interview, provide the hiring team with tangible examples and details to support your professional experience. While you have the full attention of the hiring managers, highlight why you’re the best candidate to be considered for the role and explain how your experience aligns with PSI’s core values. It’s also a good idea to express your genuine enthusiasm and excitement about why you feel this position is a good fit for you, how your experience aligns with the position, and how it fits your career goals. Finally, make sure to have the job description in front of you during the interview and highlight some key areas in which you feel you have been successful throughout your career, and how you can take this experience and contribute it to PSI.”

– Kimberly Simmonds, Recruitment Manager

By following these tips, you can better prepare for your job interview and increase your chances of success. Interested in joining PSI’s team? Apply today and put these tips to use!

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Influencing Positive Change in Quality & Delivery Through Training 

When Andrea Cracraft joined PSI in 2013 as Director, Clinical Operations, North America, there were only a handful of clinical operations team members in the region. Together with a dedicated team, she and colleagues worked tirelessly creating systems and processes to ensure the growth of an efficient department and has since witnessed its incredible growth to well over two hundred team members.

After helping to build the local team, she and two other colleagues created the Oncology for Monitors program in 2017. With this program’s success, the team identified a need to improve the quality and delivery methods for training. To help meet that need on a global level, Andrea was promoted in 2020 to Director, Clinical Operations, Global Training where she manages a group of talented team members dedicated to creating various training programs and raising the bar for excellence in training here at PSI.

Throughout her career with PSI, Andrea has worked on many exciting projects with countless colleagues around the world. One especially impactful project is the product of her collaborative work to create oncology indication training for Clinical Operations. Together with the Master Trainer Unit, therapeutic area training is now offered in five different indications, specifically targeted to monitors. The Master Trainer unit has created more than 67 interactive and simulated tutorials, 17 training programs and workshops, and a successful mentorship program.

These programs are great examples of how PSI strives to ensure that team members are prepared to be successful in their careers and have the best training possible to provide quality service to clients.

Why PSI?

Andrea shares that she doesn’t know of another CRO where the owners work alongside the employees. “PSI’s owners truly want employees to have a career at PSI, and support their growth and development,” she says. “They care about our well-being and invest a considerable amount into programs, training, and activities that will increase employee satisfaction.”

Being a part of a company where colleagues work together with the goal of finding treatments that may positively affect or extend someone’s life is a fact that gives Andrea a great source of pride.

“I’m proud to work for a company that cares so much for their employees. A company that nurtures the environment that every patient counts, of being in it altogether, being accountable for your personal actions and responsibilities, being excellent at your job, but still maintaining humility, and being responsible to deliver results in a timely manner.”

Do you want to join a collaborative global team and make a difference in your career and for patients around the world? Click here to explore our open positions.

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Mastering Communication & Knowledge Sharing, One Story at a Time

As a truly global company, we recognize that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our team members, with their unique skill sets, contribute to our culture of mutual support and accountability and bring greatly varied expertise to our projects. 

 Laura Alessandroni came to PSI with incredibly diverse skills. With work experience in hardware producing, consulting, communication & publishing, and teaching Italian to international students, she’s done it all, and we’re so proud to have her on our team.    

When Laura joined PSI, she began in the Pharmacovigilance department as a PVG coordinator where she used her experience writing, editing, and promoting to help create awareness for the PVG team and their internal and external work.   

One of the perks of working with PSI are the growth opportunities available to our team members, and the possibility to change departments to find the best fit to not only follow your passion, but also develop your skills. When a role opened in the Marketing team focusing on internal communication, Laura knew this was where she wanted to grow her career. Now as a Marketing Specialist, she’s one of the leading storytellers behind PSI Live!   

On any given day, you can find her researching, interviewing colleagues, and writing articles for PSI Live; creating graphics for articles, drafting the bi-weekly PSI newsletter, supporting PSI’s swag management, and helping to organize PSI Italy’s annual training plan and PSI values training just to name a few of the many hats she wears.   

In her role within the marketing team, Laura continues to learn and grow and makes connections with colleagues worldwide. She finds her work fulfilling, sharing that she’s grateful for the positive feedback on her projects and knows her commitment and effort are appreciated.  

 

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Laura is proud to be a part of a company that helps find new treatments and medicines to help heal patients, giving them a chance for a better life.  

“PSI is a company comprised of professionals,” Laura shares. “We’re all passionate about our jobs, respectful of our colleagues, and are growing together in a company that values learning and growth.”   

To those considering a career with PSI, Laura shares, “If you’re looking for a company that recognizes your efforts and commitment and a team who pays attention to your work-life balance, values you as a colleague then PSI is the place for you.” Explore our career opportunities here. 

 

 

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Making A Difference With Statistics

Jürgen Deinhard, Principal Statistician, works in clinical research to make a difference. While the work at PSI is not always easy, he feels he can positively impact patient lives through his expertise in statistics to help influence the science making new therapies available to those who need them. 

 

Making A Positive Impact

 

Sometimes it can be hard to see the tangible effects of one’s work in clinical research. But no matter your position at PSI, the culmination of everyone’s work plays a role in putting the patient first and helping improve patient lives. The FDA recently approved one therapy that Jürgen, and many of his colleaguges, had the opportunity to work with. “Now, in the end, everyone contributes to this success – whether an accountant, a country manager, or a SAS programmer – every single one of us does an important part of the work,” Jürgen says. 

 

Working Together and Putting Patients First

Juergen believes many aspects influence our positive corporate culture and our goal of putting patients first.  These include our open lines of communication that make it easy to brainstorm and collaborate with colleagues, our stability and organic global growth, and our culture of putting people first with constant trust, support, and appreciation.  

No matter where our colleagues are located, team collaboration is high on our agenda, and we’ve built a culture of respect, support, and accountability.  

Do you want to join a collaborative global team and make a difference in your career? Click here to explore our open positions.  

 

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Top Reasons to Join PSI CRO as a CRA 

PSI Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) are integral members of our team who help maintain the highest quality stands in the industry while enjoying various monitoring tasks and working on clinical studies in various therapeutic indications.  

 

Are you considering a new home for your career in clinical research? If so, here are just a few reasons to join PSI as a CRA: 

  • Culture 

PSI has a strong culture rooted in our core values, and every new team member receives training on how to exemplify them in their daily work within their teams. At PSI, you’re not just a number; you are an integral part of the team and recognized for being yourself and for the expertise you bring  

 

  • Training & Development 

At PSI, we offer dedicated training and development programs to ensure that our team members are confident in their ability to do their job and receive the necessary skills and training to progress in their careers. For our CRA colleagues, we offer a CRA I training program, a lead monitor program, and a clinical trial lead training program. In addition, several training courses are available for team members with a desire to broaden their therapeutic expertise with intensive GI, Oncology, and Hematology programs 

 

  • Clear Career Growth Pathways 

A consistent pathway to progress in your career is important to our team members. When you join PSI as a CRA, a clear career path is available for you to follow as you grow your skills and desire more challenging projects. Want to grow into areas that are not already laid out in our clear career paths? No problem! We work with team members and provide opportunities to grow in other unique areas. We aim to promote from within, so there’s no shortage of opportunities for our CRAs to grow. 

 

  • Support & Mentorship 

Joining a new company and learning its unique processes can be overwhelming. We recognize that and want to make sure you are set up for success. That’s why after joining, in addition to the standard onboarding and training, you are paired with a senior member of the team to show you the ropes and provide guidance on duties you may not be familiar with yet.  

 

At PSI, we bring together more than 2,700 dynamic and knowledgeable individuals who work hard to help impact the future of medicine in more than 60 countries worldwide. Our team members, with their unique skill sets, contribute to our culture of mutual support and accountability. 

 

Are you ready to take your career to the next level as a PSI CRA? Apply today

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Making a Positive Impact on Healthcare Around the World

Since joining PSI more than five years ago as a Systems Engineer, Artem Ivanov has grown to IT Project Manager overseeing a team working hard to improve company-wide development and communication processes.  

No Matter the Department, You’re Making a Difference

One may think those working in departments with no direct sponsor or patient interaction may not have an impact on patients, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.  

Despite not having a patient-facing role, Artem notes that he’s able to make a positive impact on healthcare and a difference for patients through his work on projects such as protocol deviation tracking, safety reporting, and web-based pre-visit and follow-up letters. These projects directly impact the important work being done to ensure trials are completed safely both on time and within budget.   

Artem shares that his favorite part about working in the industry is the opportunity to help people. The work that we do at PSI helps people all around the world, and it’s exciting to know that we have a hand in moving medicines forward. 

“PSI gives many opportunities for people to grow, and not only within medical and pharma teams,” says Artem. “You can add to your professionalism and passion to reach goals in healthcare by being a part of a great and experienced team.”  

Do you want to join a collaborative global team and make a difference in your career? Click here to explore our open positions.