Medical Simulation Actor (Per Diem)

University of California, Riverside; California; On-site; USD 28,929 - 41,328; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution seeks a Standardized Patient to portray patients and provide feedback for medical training. Responsibilities include memorizing patient cases, performing physical exams as needed, and evaluating medical students' performance. Ideal candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree or advanced degree, with prior experience as a standardized patient preferred. Strong communication and technical acting skills are essential. The position offers flexible scheduling at a rate of $21-$30 per hour.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of related experience required.
• Prior experience as a standardized patient preferred.

Responsibilities

• Memorize and portray patient case materials accurately.
• Perform physical examinations as required.
• Provide feedback on learner performance.

Skills

Interpersonal communication skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Ability to synthesize case information

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related area

Advanced degree

Job description

Position Information

At the UCR Center for Simulated Patient Care (CSPC) at the School of Medicine, Standardized Patients (SP's) 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. SP's learn the symptoms, personality traits, and other characteristics of a patient and perform them in a standardized way. For a patient role, SP's 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.). SP's 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, SP's 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 SP's to assist students in developing communication skills or in working through difficult emotional situations in a safe environment. SP's may be asked to provide feedback through oral and written communication regarding the completeness and quality of the learner's performance. SP's 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). SP's 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. 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. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Position Information

At the UCR Center for Simulated Patient Care (CSPC) at the School of Medicine, Standardized Patients (SP's) 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. SP's learn the symptoms, personality traits, and other characteristics of a patient and perform them in a standardized way. For a patient role, SP's 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.). SP's 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, SP's 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 SP's to assist students in developing communication skills or in working through difficult emotional situations in a safe environment. SP's may be asked to provide feedback through oral and written communication regarding the completeness and quality of the learner's performance. SP's 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). SP's 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. 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. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Degree

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Requirement

Required

Degree

Advanced degree.

Requirement

Preferred

Experience Requirements

Experience

2 - 4 years of related experience.

Requirement

Required

Experience

Previous experience as a standardized patient.

Requirement

Minimum Requirements

• 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. This includes portraying a variety of symptoms and/or character affects in a believable and accurate manner. These may include headaches, other pain, fatigue, depression, euphoria, etc.
• Willing to be audio and video recorded during simulations.
• Punctual, prepared and present for all scheduled events.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough technical acting or dance (or related specialty) skills and proficiency and demonstrated expertise, including strong skills in interpretations and performance.
• Familiarity with some medical terminology and procedures.
  
  

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
  
  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

Job Description Details

Generic Scope

Professional who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action.

Custom Scope

Uses professional performance concepts and techniques in theater and/or dance. Serves as performer with text or choreography under close direction. Performs one or more roles.

Department Custom Scope

At the UCR Center for Simulated Patient Care (CSPC) at the School of Medicine, 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.