Navigating CITI Training Requirements at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide

UCLA utilizes the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program to ensure researchers are well-versed in ethical and regulatory guidelines. This article provides a detailed overview of CITI training requirements at UCLA, covering human subjects research, HIPAA compliance, and other crucial aspects for researchers and personnel involved in research activities.

Introduction to CITI Program at UCLA

The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program is a leading provider of research education content, serving institutions around the world. UCLA subscribes to the CITI Program to meet multiple research training requirements, most notably for human subjects research. This ensures that all research conducted under UCLA's purview adheres to the highest ethical and regulatory standards.

Human Subjects Protection Training

Requirement Overview

Human Subjects Training, completed through the CITI Program, is required for all UCLA-affiliated individuals conducting human subjects research. The BruinIRB system automatically checks to ensure that all key personnel have current human subjects training. Key Personnel includes the Principal Investigator, other investigators, and research personnel directly involved in conducting research with study participants or handling private information related to study participants during a research project.

CITI Training Completion and Account Management

All new CITI accounts must be created using your UCLA single sign-on ID. This integration streamlines the process and ensures accurate tracking of training completion. If you have completed CITI training and your name appears in the CITI Lookup Tool but not in the IRB application, you will need to link your UCLA Single Sign-On (SSO) information to your CITI account.

Transferring CITI Training from Other Institutions

CITI training completed at another institution may or may not transfer for credit at UCLA. This depends on how recently it was completed and the type of course(s) completed at the other institution. To determine if previously completed coursework in CITI will transfer, affiliate with UCLA in your existing CITI account, link your existing account to your UCLA single sign-on (SSO), then follow the prompts to “Add a course”.

Renewal Requirements

Key Personnel must renew their Human Subjects Research or GCP training via CITI every 3 years. For those with existing Human Subjects (HS) certification, CITI will automatically enroll you in the HS refresher course at the time of renewal. If you prefer to complete GCP training instead of the HS refresher course, you have the option to do so.

HIPAA Training

CITI HIPAA training is required for all UCLA researchers involved in research involving human participants that creates, uses, and/or discloses Protected Health Information (PHI). This training ensures that researchers understand and comply with HIPAA regulations, safeguarding the privacy and security of participants' health information.

Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Training

The United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (USG Policy) mandates that institutions receiving federal funding for life sciences research provide education and training for all personnel involved in research with Category 1 or Category 2 agents. To fulfill these requirements, UCLA utilizes the CITI program. CITI training must be completed prior to the start of any applicable research.

Accessing and Managing CITI Training

Creating a CITI Account

All new CITI accounts must be created using your UCLA single sign-on ID. This ensures that your training records are properly associated with your UCLA affiliation. Completion of CITI training does not automatically create an IRB account for you.

CITI Lookup Tool

BruinIRB performs automatic training checks. You can search for completed trainings by last name, first name, department, and/or University ID number using the CITI Lookup Tool.

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Additional Resources and Training Opportunities

OHRPP Learn at Lunch

The Education and Training Unit within UCLA’s Office of the Human Research Protection Program provides training in the critical area of the protection of human research participants through various venues and via various methods. One such venue is the OHRPP Learn at Lunch, which are hour-long training sessions for UCLA research staff and faculty on topics of interest to those conducting research at UCLA.

Office Hours

QIU staff (and guests) host a zoom meeting every other week to answer questions from UCLA investigators and research staff. For upcoming sessions and links to registration, please see the most recent HRN, archived on the OHRPP home page. Office hours may also be arranged by appointment.

Department and Unit Training

University institutes, departments, and units offer training, courses, and modules related to protecting human subjects in research. These resources can provide more specialized training tailored to specific research areas.

CITI Webinars

CITI Webinars are now available, offering another avenue for researchers to stay informed and updated on relevant topics.

ICH E6(R3): An Introduction

UCLA's CITI account includes a short course titled "ICH E6(R3): An Introduction." This course describes the changes to section E6 (GCP) from ICH revision 2 to ICH revision 3.

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Continuing Education Credits

CITI Program courses are approved for CME credits through the Albert Einstein Montefiore Continuing Professional Development Center (CPDC). Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center (Einstein) is accredited by the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education to provide continuing education activities for healthcare professionals. CITI Program is also accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

Experts in the Field

The CITI Program includes insights from experts in various fields. For example, Dr. Richard A. Martinello is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine and serves as the Medical Director for Infection Prevention for the Yale New Haven Health System and Yale New Haven Hospital. Denise O’Neill is currently the Director of Enrollment Management at Penn State Lehigh. Charles E. Terry Adirim is Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Professor of Pediatrics and Chair, Department of Integrated Medical Science at the Charles E.

Maintaining Compliance

Compliance is a critical aspect of research at UCLA. As a key member of the Department of Medicine Advisory & Compliance unit, you will provide critical analytical and administrative support to the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and its 18+ Divisions. The position involves providing system access, reviewing transactions, analyzing key indicators, and recommending actionable steps to maintain compliance.

The position requires an understanding of University policies and procedures related to access, procurement/material management, accounting, human resources, and laboratory safety. You will provide high-level summary reports for leadership and communicate with division constituents to improve compliance.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Positions related to research compliance often require:

A bachelor's degree in a related field.
2-4 years of relevant experience.
The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrated writing skills to produce a wide range of documents and deliverables.
Experience communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external partners, including UCLA administrators, outside funders, policy makers, and community representatives.
Working knowledge of evaluation, creating datasets, grant writing, and proposal submission.
Strong organizational skills to successfully work on and track complex programs involving short deadlines and multiple tasks, in coordination with multiple teams to achieve program/project mission and goals.
Working knowledge of program/project development, evaluation, creating datasets, financial management and reporting, research principles including CITI training, grant writing and proposal submission, University procedures and policies, program/project related federal and state regulations.
The ability to seek out and learn new policies, procedures, and software to advance the mission of the program/project.
Computer proficiency with MS Office and particular expertise with Excel to generate charts/graphs and pivot tables to summarize large data sets
Skill with Adobe Acrobat, DocuSign, and various internet utilities
Exceptional mathematical and analytical abilities
Expertise with online systems used to generate reports and ensure compliance
Skill in organizing material and information in a systemic and accurate way

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