The UT Health Science Center, its College of Medicine campuses, and Erlanger Health
Systems are committed to protecting our research volunteers—and the integrity of the
data derived from their participation in research. As a result, the University is
requiring that its faculty, residents, fellows, students, other investigators, IRB
members, administrators, and all other individuals who participate in the conduct
of human subject research, including those using human-derived materials, must complete
a nationally recognized online course prior to beginning research at the University.
The course is the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) program. The CITI training
program can be accessed at citiprogram.org.
Associate Dean and DIO for the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga,
is requiring that all incoming residents and fellows must complete the appropriate
CITI modules before beginning training (prior to July 1).
There are a number of modules, some geared primarily to biomedical research, some
to social/behavioral research. There is one that has been designed specifically for
the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga as part of the University
of Tennessee system. Do not confuse it with UTC. Review of all modules is encouraged,
but learners are only required to complete the modules according to their category,
which is defined by title/group (e.g. Clinical Investigators and staff, IRB Members,
IRB Administrators, Institutional Officials or students), as indicated in the CITI
introduction. BASIC Human Subject Research + Good Clinical Practice Modules are required.
Specific instructions for registering and completing required courses are below.
Online training courses MUST be completed by:
- Anyone acting as an employee or agent of UT Health Science Center College of Medicine
Chattanooga — including faculty, staff, students, residents, or fellows — engaged
in the conduct of human subject research (working directly with human subjects or
with identifiable data or biological specimens)
- Employees or agents conducting or assisting with human subjects research at any Erlanger
Health campus, outpatient office or UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga
facility.
- Department chairs who approve/acknowledge research
- Research administrators
- IRB board members and staff
If you have completed CITI at another institution, you can affiliate your certification
with UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga by completing the following:
- Go to citiprogram.org/
- Log in with your username and password, which will take you to the main menu.
- In the blue banner, click “Add Institutional Affiliation”
- Select “University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga” from the list of
institutions.
- Follow the online instructions
UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga IRB approval of any new application,
continuing review, or revision application is contingent upon training completion.
The University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga Office of Human Subject
Protections (OHSP) will administer this program. For questions or concerns regarding
the CITI training program, you may contact: Stacey Hendricks, 423.778.3818, stacey.hendricks@erlanger.org.
