Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Horton, CCRC, CMA, is an experienced Clinical Research Manager with over a decade of progressive leadership in clinical trial operations, study coordination, and research program management. She brings deep expertise in protocol assessment, regulatory compliance, cross-functional team leadership, and operational strategy, with a consistent focus on ensuring studies are executed efficiently, ethically, and in alignment with organizational goals. Jessica is recognized for her ability to strengthen workflows, improve team performance, and support high-quality, patient-centered research across complex clinical environments.
Her path into clinical research began in 2010 through an unconventional but pivotal opportunity. After completing a medical assisting program at a trade school and struggling to find employment, she was introduced to a clinical research coordinator role through a connection facilitated by the school. She began her career in a private practice setting, where she built a strong foundation in clinical trial coordination and research operations. In 2019, she transitioned to one of the largest healthcare systems in Washington State, where she advanced her expertise and earned her Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) credential in 2021. During her tenure, she progressed from Clinical Research Coordinator to Supervisor and ultimately Clinical Research Manager, gaining extensive experience in leadership, SOP development, training, and regulatory oversight.
Following the closure of the research department and a subsequent layoff, Jessica relocated to Las Vegas to step into a Site Manager role with Vector Clinical Trials, where she continues to lead clinical research operations. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Health Sciences at Radford University, expected to graduate in December. She is actively seeking future opportunities with a sponsor or CRO that offer remote or travel-based work, with the long-term goal of returning to Washington State to be closer to her children and grandchildren while continuing to contribute to impactful clinical research.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
Being a young mom, I've always just had to really get out there and kind of hustle and make things happen. It's been a lot of hard work. I was a teen parent, so college and traditional paths weren't really on my radar at first. But I kept going, working early mornings, late nights, and weekends to make sure my job was done. My kids definitely inspire me and have been there through all of it, growing up with those sacrifices. I've learned that you don't have to get stuck on one path, because I certainly never saw myself working in clinical research. Sometimes taking the less traveled path is what works, and you just have to keep moving forward and making things happen through hard work and determination.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received came from Annie Reedy, who was the VP of Clinical Research. She always really pushed us to do the best job we could and was always there for questions and as a sounding board. She really pushed to make sure that we were learning more and continuously developing. Having someone who challenges you to perform at your highest level and supports your growth makes all the difference. Beyond professional mentors, my kids have been my biggest inspiration. They've been there through all the early mornings, late nights, and weekends, and they definitely motivate me to keep going.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would share that I know everybody really focuses on getting your four-year degree, but for being a clinical research coordinator, you don't necessarily need that. You can start in other roles. MAs, medical assistants, make phenomenal clinical research coordinators. So just, you know, sometimes taking the less traveled path works out. Don't get stuck on one path, because I certainly never saw myself working in clinical research. Just keep going. I was a teen parent, so college and stuff wasn't really on my radar, but that doesn't mean you can't build a successful career. Any job you can get your foot in the door, take it. If you have an end goal of something you want to do, start at the bottom and just work your way up.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the challenges right now are just the migration between paper documents and electronic documents, and that transition to becoming a paperless site versus the traditional everything's on paper approach. But there are a ton of opportunities in clinical research. Any job you can get your foot in the door, take it. If you have an end goal of something you want to do, start at the bottom and just work your way up. There are so many pathways into this field, and it's growing.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are just being kind and considerate and remembering that everybody's story is different. I believe that everybody has something to offer. Having been a teen parent myself and taking a nontraditional path into my career, I understand that success doesn't look the same for everyone. Hard work and perseverance have been central to everything I've done. I've had to hustle and make things happen, working early mornings, late nights, and weekends to ensure my job was done while raising my kids. Family is incredibly important to me, and my kids and grandkids are a huge source of motivation in both my work and personal life.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Nevada
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.