Standardized Patient

About the Role

Standardized Patients (SPs) are trained to accurately and consistently recreate the history, personality, physical findings, and emotional structure and response pattern of an actual patient. SPs assess and document learner performance, provide individualized feedback on clinical and interpersonal skills, and represent patient satisfaction. This role involves role-playing as a patient being interviewed and physically examined by learners or health professionals.

Responsibilities

• Simulate patient cases and instruct/assess health providers at multiple levels (undergraduate, postgraduate, and practicing providers) in clinical and communication skills, including physical examination techniques.
• Respond to email messages promptly and maintain professional behavior and accountability.
• Work as part of a team and keep commitments to the SP Program.
• Simulate all aspects of the patient scenario, including history, affect/behavior, and physical findings in a standardized, accurate, and reliable manner.
• Teach and assess the clinical skills of medical students and other learners.
• Accurately document learner skills using a computer.
• Provide constructive feedback to learners.
• Monitor other Standardized Patients for quality assurance.
• Accept and incorporate ongoing feedback from the supervisor into case simulations.

Qualifications

• Ability to work well with a variety of people.
• Clear and effective communication skills.
• Accurate recall of encounters for checklist and written material completion.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Lack of bias towards the healthcare system.
• Punctuality and reliability in attendance.
• Flexibility and adaptability in different work situations.
• Comfort with physical examinations by health personnel.
• Basic computer skills (email, document printing, checklist documentation).
• Ownership of a computer and experience with Zoom.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a criminal conviction check. This position is based at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), a partnership between Virginia Tech, Carilion Clinic, and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. VTCSOM is located in Roanoke, Virginia, and offers an innovative curriculum with a focus on mentored research, health systems science, and interprofessional practice.

Virginia Tech is committed to diversity and inclusivity, providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities or limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. For accommodation requests, contact Lisa Howard at wklctk@vt.edu at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, sex, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.