Standardized Patient
About the role
Standardized Patients (SPs) portray the roles of patients, family members or others to allow students to practice physical exam skills, history taking skills, communication skills and other exercises.
SPs learn the symptoms, personality traits, and other characteristics of a patient and perform them in a standardized way. For a patient role, SPs receive case materials in advance of training that must be memorized to accurately portray the patient with a learner (medical student, resident or doctor).
This generally includes information related to the current medical complaint (when it started, previous episodes, severity, etc.), along with other background information (marital status, past medical history, allergies, tobacco use, alcohol use, etc.).
SPs use the information to portray the patient in either a one-on-one setting with a single student/learner, or in a group setting with instructors and/or other students observing. Physical examinations are required in some cases or learning activities, and all physical exams are performed on skin.
When working on physical exam cases, SPs are required to wear a patient gown over undergarments. These exams include but are not limited to the heart and/or lungs, listening to and pressing on the chest wall; listening to and/or pressing on the abdomen; taking pulses and/or blood pressure; ultrasound assessment, etc.
Other cases involve psychosocial issues and use SPs to assist students in developing communication skills or in working through difficult emotional situations in a safe environment. SPs may be asked to provide feedback through oral and written communication regarding the completeness and quality of the learner's performance. SPs are often asked to complete checklist items that indicate what the student/learner did or did not do during the patient visit.
There are no invasive exams nor procedures (sensitive exams, corneal reflex, needles/shots). SPs are not asked to take any medications or participate in clinical research as a part of their role at the CSPC. All jobs are cast according to the demographic needs of the case for the project.
This role is per diem and scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Responsibilities
- Learn and memorize case materials in advance to accurately portray the patient with a learner (medical student, resident or doctor).
- Perform physical examinations on skin, including but not limited to the heart and/or lungs, listening to and pressing on the chest wall; listening to and/or pressing on the abdomen; taking pulses and/or blood pressure; ultrasound assessment, etc.
- Participate in psychosocial cases to assist students in developing communication skills or working through difficult emotional situations in a safe environment.
- Provide feedback through oral and written communication regarding the completeness and quality of the learner's performance.
- Complete checklist items that indicate what the student/learner did or did not do during the patient visit.
- Wear a patient gown over undergarments when performing physical exams.
- Be punctual, prepared, and present for all scheduled events.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree.
- Experience 2 - 4 years of related experience.
- Previous experience as a standardized patient.
- Interpersonal communications skills and ability to work well with students, faculty, staff, and guest professionals.
- Verbal and written communication skills to clearly and effectively convey and present information to diverse groups of individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize case information and portray characters as trained and written.
- Willing to be audio and video recorded during simulations.
Benefits
The full salary range for the Standardized Patient is $21.00 - $30.00 per hour. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $23.00 hourly. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.
Pay
$21.00 - $30.00 per hour.
Schedule
This role is per diem and scheduled on an as-needed basis.