Become a Standardized Patient
Help train Northern Ontario’s future doctors by portraying a patient.
What is a Standardized Patient?
Standardized patients (SPs) are healthy people trained to act as real patients. SPs simulate a set of symptoms or medical conditions to help medical students become skilled at the proper techniques for taking patient histories and performing physical exams. Importantly, SPs are trained to provide insightful feedback to students.
SPs participate in the following activities:
- Portraying patients for medical history practice
- Assisting in physical exams
- Participate in clinical skills assessments
- Providing valuable verbal feedback to enhance students’ communication skills.
Benefits:
- Casual work: Get paid to play a patient!
- Make a difference: Help train future doctors.
- Personal growth: You will learn and practice transferable skills.
Requirements:
- Availability for casual work during weekdays.
- Flexible schedule.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- BONUS: No acting experience required
Skills:
- Collaborative team player.
- Keen observer.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Accurate memorization of case details.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Ability to recognize your own bias towards the health-care system.
- Comfortable with role-playing and providing verbal feedback in a small group.
Application and Information
Interested in becoming a Standardized Patient (SP)? We accept applications on an ongoing basis, although active hiring occurs mainly in late spring and throughout the summer in preparation for the September school year. Our hiring process involves an in-person interview and a mandatory orientation session . Final decisions on hiring are made by our Program Coordinators after a comprehensive assessment of suitability.
To apply as a Standardized Patient, please complete our online application form. We will review your submission and may contact you for further steps.
What to Expect
- You will be trained on your patient case approximately one week prior to your scheduled session.
- Physical examinations conducted as a Standardized Patient are common and resemble those performed in a doctor’s office. Rest assured, there are no procedures involving blood or sample collection. Your participation in physical examinations is entirely voluntary.
- Being a Standardized Patient requires concentration during interviews and examinations. After the encounter, you must provide verbal feedback to the student based on their communication skills. It’s an engaging role that demands attentiveness and effective communication.
Work Schedule
As a Standardized Patient, your work hours will not be fixed. The amount of time you work depends on the teaching requirements at a given time. For instance, we might specifically need female Standardized Patients aged 18-35 when teaching the female reproductive system. On average, Standardized Patients work five hours or one session every 4 to 6 weeks. The frequency may vary based on program needs and patient demographics.
Compensation
Contact Us for Further Inquiries
Contact Information:
Yolette Brant-Max – Sudbury
Standardized Patient Coordinator
Phone: 705-662-7223
Kelly Merla – Sudbury
Standardized Patient Coordinator
Phone: 705-662-7255
Erica Dzuba – Thunder Bay
Standardized Patient Coordinator
Phone: 807-766-7335
NOSM University’s Standardized Patient Program is committed to creating a culturally diverse group of SPs. While being equitable in providing work opportunities, we cannot guarantee a certain number of work hours per week.
NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the University relies on the commitment and expertise of the peoples of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.