Standardized Patient

Position Details

Position Summary

A standardized patient is responsible for realistically portraying a patient character for physician assistant students to practice physical examination, history-taking, and communication skills. This role requires strong memorization, reliability, and excellent communication skills for providing feedback. Key duties include learning patient personas, simulating symptoms and findings, undergoing physical exams by students, and offering constructive feedback. This position is an as-needed, temporary role with flexible hours, requiring dependability and a commitment to educating future healthcare professionals.  Must be at least 18 years old.

Essential Functions

Simulation Experience

1. Accurately memorize and consistently portray a patient's specific medical history, personality, signs, and symptoms in a standardized manner for each simulation. 
2. Participate in physical examinations, patient histories, and other clinical scenarios with physician assistant students and be comfortable having repeated examination maneuvers performed on self.
3. Offer reliable and constructive written and oral feedback to learners, acting as a vital part of the evaluation process. 
4. Attend training sessions to learn case details and rehearse scenarios to ensure consistent and accurate performance. 
5. Demonstrate dependability, punctuality, professionalism, and a commitment to the educational mission of the institution. 

Education/Experience/Skills

Required skills

1. Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with students and educators.
2. Exhibit strong memory skills to retain complex patient information and a specific character persona for each case.
3. Be a dependable and punctual individual, as the role requires scheduled training and simulation sessions. 
4. Follow written and verbal instruction with attention to detail.
5. Be willing to wear a cloth hospital gown with undergarments underneath (shorts allowed), while on camera and/or observed live on video monitor.

Education/Experience/Skills

1. No previous experience necessary.
2. Applicants with acting experience are highly encouraged to apply.
3. High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
4. Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all applicant interactions.
5. Enthusiasm for supporting the mission of the School of PA Medicine.

Working Environment

1. Work is performed indoors in an exam room setting.
2. Position works with confidential student information.
3. Frequently required to be in seated position for longer periods of time.
4. Frequently required to maneuver body from lying flat, to seated, to lying on side, and standing.

Physical Demands

The functions are usually performed while sitting, but may involve some standing, bending, lifting (max. 40 lbs.), walking, and carrying.

Compensation

The position has a hiring rate at $18.00/hour.

Lifestyle Standards

Recognize, understand, and agree to live by the spiritual, moral, and ethical standards of Northwest University, as outlined in the Employee Manual.

NU Application for Employment

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