If you are thinking about visiting Lincoln, please text me first. A. I always like to meet new people. B. I will happily give you 60% of whatever the referral bonus ends up being. (Currently $300 to $500 depending on the study.) My cell is (580)919-0056.
New JALR member.
I live in Omaha and heard about Celerion (Lincoln) over the radio in 2018 when I was struggling to make ends meet. I ended up not qualifying because of some ADHD meds I was trying. Fast forward a few years (early 2023) and I had given up on the ADHD meds, deployed with the Army Reserves, come back to find a good job that quickly went to **** after 2 years, and suddenly found myself looking into it again.
My first study was (1) 4-night stay & 10 returns for $9K in mid-March to early-May 2023.
My second study was (1) 4-night stay & 14 returns for $10K from early October to December 1st.
I screened one and failed labs then screened another that I missed only because they filled up without me.
This study is 22-nights with 1 return a month later for $13K.
All at this same location.
VCTCelerion in Lincoln, NE uses VCT. I imagine the Phoenix, AZ and Belfast, Ireland locations probably do as well.
Choosing a StudyYou can call in and ask what's available, but I pretty strongly recommend using the online resources.
- helpresearch.com/studies - gives a helpful preview of currently available studies; filterable by location, gender, etc.; and has a [🔒LOGIN] button to the next resource
- eregportal.helpresearch.com/PivotalUX/ - Is their user portal where you can update your medical information, get more information about the studies on the prior page, *AND* I do not know this next piece for a fact, but I believe that VIPs (at least 5 completed Celerion studies in 24 months or less) may be able to see upcoming studies that are not publicly shown yet.
- Personally, I have those both up on separate tabs with a third tab to Google the medication names, prior research details, etc.
Once you've chosen which stud(ies) you want to register for screening, call them. You can register online then call them or register online and wait for them to call you, but I recommend simply calling their call center in Phoenix to go through the over-the-phone screening and get registered for an in-person screening. If you do not pass the over-the phone screening for that one, then you can pivot to another available study while you have them on the line. If you've done your research correctly before calling them, you'll know which stud(ies) you want to try for (and in what if more than one) and you'll already know what screening dates / times will work best for you.
Out-of-StatersAll the time. Literally every study I've been in so far. (Granted, this one with 24 is the smallest group I've been in so far.)
Screening, Call-in & "Priority"The in-person screening process is a good 2-3 hours. Be on time just in case, but expect to wait maybe 5-20 minutes to start the ICF and don't expect to be out of there in less than 2 hours. Typically, you'll do ICF & VCT acknowledgement then urine & ht/wt then ECG & Vitals then blood draw for labs then med history then a short physical. Then they'll give you a slip with a timeframe to call them (for using "priority" statuses) and/or expect them to call you.
The intent of the priority statuses is to help you avoid being an Alternate. You gain those priority statuses by passing screening and not being needed. (Typically by being an ALT but you can also get one for passing the screening then being told over the phone that they cannot invite you to check in because the study filled up already.) Priority Passes do stack; I know a guy that currently has about 8 because he rarely uses them. Usually, using a priority status will guarantee your spot on the study -- but not always.
In practice, it seems the system gives weighted values to folks that pass screening then randomizes the results so that someone who uses a Priority is highly likely to be a Primary but could still possibly be an ALT. Or it is simply first come, first served; I've only ever used a Priority Pass once, so it's a little hard to tell. Either way, I've only heard of it actually happening once where someone used a priority pass and still became an ALT.
This is where that much hated call-in still seems to be an issue. The one time I had a priority pass to use, I called in about 5 minutes early because I was desperate to make sure I got it, then I was told that I need to call back in 5 minutes because it wasn't quite time yet. I got ahold of someone fairly quickly and with no issues . . . . . that time. 5 minutes later, I had to spend the next 20-30 minutes dialing repeatedly just to get through.
Ultimately, they seem to have done away with the competitive calling I read about; you only have to call to use your priority or to return their call if you missed them calling you.
Check-inPretty similar to screening. I had to come back and ad this section because there really wasn't much remarkable to say here. The one thing I will say is that the baggage search seems to be better than
lifeguard described it a few years ago. They'll tell you up front what they do allow and do not allow and they are pretty strict about that, but I couldn't tell if they went through my laundry or not. I've heard of folks getting in trouble for sneaking in vapes, so bag check can't be all
that thorough anymore.
Check Outpretty simply; nothing worth reporting that I can think of
ReturnsVaries quite a bit from study to study. Some returns are only 30 min; others are 2-3-4 hours. It all depends on how big the group is, what all data the sponsor wants to collect, and what number you are in that group. Because these are usually on interval though, they become pretty predictable after the first couple returns.
Payment / CompensationCelerion uses Hyperwallet. I was a little anxious getting everything set up right the first time (because I pretty desperately needed the money), but I've never had a problem with Hyperwallet nor with getting paid on time.
Currently, ALTs get paid 10% of the total study stipend -- up to $1,000 at most. Best I can tell, this is gent upon checking in and passing every stage and simply not being needed for dosing. It seems you may only get $250/day or soing like that if you fail urine or if your blood pressure is too high at check-in or soing. (Honestly, if you fail urine at check-in after passing during the screening, 1. you're dumb & 2. you may or may not get paid at all; Idk.) Ultimately, as long as you
could dose but end up not being needed, you should expect to get dismissed with 10% pay (up to $1,000 at most) plus a Priority to use in the future.
Celerion is super-transparent about how much you'll get paid. The calendars show what to expect A. if you're an ALT and B. if you go the full study. The ICF is pretty crystal clear about how much you'll get paid and when if you are dismissed or voluntarily withdraw. Again, I've never had a single issue with getting paid, and I don't believe I've ever heard anyone else complain about this either.
StaffTake this with a grain of salt, because I'm one of those cheerful types that loves people and gets along easily with almost anyone and tends to see the best in others.
- I have seen a few folks here have a rough day. Generally cheerful people that sometimes seem a little more stressed than usual.
- I have noticed one or two people that seem to perpetually have rough days. It's hard to tell if the work is stressful but they still mostly enjoy it or if they simply don't like their jobs anymore or what.
- As with any other place, there are a few rays of irrepressible sunshine.
- Generally speaking, almost every one here has been incredibly kind and polite almost every time I've been here. I would be really hard-pressed to ask for a better staff.
• Oh! and the Phlebes! I've noticed that most of them seem to be good at what they do, and some of them seem to be
remarkably good at it. Mind you, my only comparison is occasional blood donations, once-upon-a-time plasma donations, and very rare doctor's office visits. Still, when you legit almost don't even fill it, you know someone is doing soing right. Lol.
If you are in a significantly larger study (like, 30 or more participants), be ready for things to change as you go. Maybe it was just the managers I had on those two, but there were some definite organization & peparedness issues, and one of the studies treated the return visits different every few returns, in part because so many at the end were showing up on time and so many in the first half were showing up late. Smaller groups definitely seem to not have that issue though.
Just a note: I think I read someone comment that the Pheonix staff is hotter. ... On average, that might be true, but a few of these girls are legit hard to not stare at; and several of the girls here are pretty dang attractive. I don't wanna get too objectifying here; but I will say, if that's important to you, you're often in some pretty good-lookin' hands here.
Sleeping QuartersLet's be honest; it's a jail cell. Lol. I'd put it at about 6'4" by 6'4" (I'm 5'10") with a lower bunk along one wall and an upper bunk along a perpindicular wall.
lifeguard described it in 2017 (same thread) as "a prison grade plastic mattress in a plywood square." I wouldn't word it quite that badly, ... but I've also never been to prison. Honestly, that might be about right. I've definitely slept on worse, but I'm in the military so . . . 🤷♂️
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd probably give it a 3 or 4. Could
definitely be worse, but could also be much better.
Also, noise is a pretty signifcant problem sometimes -- especially if you're trying to catch up on some missed sleep while everyone else is awake.
Restrooms & ShowersHonestly, the worst parts about the men's rooms come from the other participants. Idiots who don't seem to give a **** about others and don't know how to lift a damn seat when they go to piss, nor how to clean up their own mess when they make one. That said, I'd say the restroom and shower facilities are pretty average, definitely not hotel material but also definitely better than a lot of what I've experienced in the military.
FoodGenerally okay. Sometimes suprisingly good; sometimes pretty disappointing. I'd say it's pretty well on-par with what I've had in the military. (note: comparing to military hot meals, not comparing to MREs)
Cell Phone Service / Receptionkinda crummy. Typically passable, but you may have trouble video chatting.
Wifialso kinda crummy. Also typically passable, but you may have trouble video chatting or work conferencing or online gaming. It does seem to be better than my first study about 12 months ago though.
SussIdk. Nothing?? I'm not a very suspicious guy though. I've heard some stuff from others, but it usually sounds a bit one-sided and hyperbolized.
I'm planning on hanging around and doing the "professional participant" thing, so please feel free to ask questions as I'll hopefully still be around to answer them. You can also text me if the question is urgent: phone number above.
Thanks
Thanks
