Standardized Patients

Doctor talking with standardized patient"The Simulated / Standardized Patient (SP) is a person who has been carefully coached to simulate an actual patient so accurately that the simulation cannot be detected by a skilled clinician. In performing the simulation, the SP presents the gestalt of the patient being simulated; not just the history, but the body language, the physical findings, and the emotional and personality characteristics as well".

​Standardized Patients are

  • Both actors and non-actors
  • Trained to portray a patient in a simulated medical situation
  • Able to consistently reproduce the history, physical findings, and emotions of the "real patient" multiple times a day
  • Able to multi-task by portraying the patient and remembering the encounter accurately in order to fill out a checklist
  • Able to give constructive feedback, either written or orally

​How do I become a Standardized Patient?

Fill out the form and we will call you for a phone interview within two weeks. If that goes well you will be invited to attend an audition.

FAQ's

What type of people are you looking for?

  • Men & women, all ages and physical types
  • People with strong communication skills and the ability to take direction
  • People with flexible schedules
  • People who are reliable and punctual

What do SPs wear?

  • For history only cases, SPs wear street clothes
  • For history and physical exam cases, SPs wear hospital gowns with undergarments

What might a student do during a physical exam?

  • Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
  • Look in your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
  • Take your blood pressure
  • Check your reflexes
  • Do an abdominal exam
  • NO INTIMATE EXAMS ARE PERFORMED; NO Pelvic, Breast, Genital, or Rectal Exams

What is the time commitment?

  • Training involves 1 to 4 sessions depending on the case
  • Each training session is 3 hours
  • All training and exams (with a few exceptions) take place Monday - Friday during regular work hours
  • This is not full time employment; it's occasional, part-time work. Cases are based on age / gender / build.