Standardized Patient

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

The University of Bridgeport Physician Assistant Program is seeking adults of different ages and backgrounds for their Standardized Patient Program. A Standardized Patient is a healthy person who has been trained to portray a patient in a medical situation. 

The Standardized Patient role requires role-play and acting; qualified candidates will be able to learn quickly and memorize a brief script.  This position requires excellent communication skills, the ability to accept direction, flexibility, reliability and a willingness to wear a hospital gown. This is a per diem opportunity, standardized patients are used for clinical instruction and assessment periodically during the academic semester.

This is a per diem, seasonal, hourly paid position will be coordinated by the Physician Assistant Institute.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

*(*The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

The primary responsibility of this position is to portray a patient, in a clinical setting.  The actor will be asked to convey consistently, accurately specific emotions, behaviors and disease symptoms while interacting with Physician Assistant (PA) students during standardized patient encounters designed to enable experiential learning and/or assessment of students' skills.

• Memorize a case script detailing specific emotions, behaviors, and disease signs/symptoms
• In a standardized, accurate, and reliable manner present/act all aspects of case information, including history of current problem, affect/behavior and physical findings
• Ability to accurately and convincingly maintain a specified patient character as trained when responding to student questions
• Be highly dependable and punctual
• Demonstrate flexibility and reliability with scheduling and assignments
• Work in a professional manner when interacting with learners, faculty, trainers and peers
• Participate and engage in group training
• Ability to understand and follow directions and accept ongoing feedback from SP program trainers and incorporate it into case presentation
• Follow written and verbal instruction and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Be willing to be audio and videotaped during student sessions
• Be willing to wear a hospital gown with only undergarments underneath, while on camera and/or observed live through video monitor
• Maintain confidentiality of information related to cases, student behaviors and feedback evaluations

Standardized patients may be physically examined by students as part of their clinical learning experience. These examinations may include: listening to heart and lungs with a stethoscope; pressing on the abdomen, neck, face and limbs to assess tenderness; using a scope to look in ears, eyes, nose and throat; taking pulse and blood pressure; checking muscle strength, reflexes, range of motion, and gait. More invasive exams will not be performed. 

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Required skills:

• Strong reading and writing skills
• Acting
• Good communication
• Prior experience preferred

Expectations of SPs:

• punctual
• reliable
• committed
• realistic
• accurate
• professional
• confidential

The assignments are intermittent, per diem, and seasonal. SP sessions are scheduled according to program requirements. This position is paid by the hours spent in training and in session.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Work Environment	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Outdoor Weather Conditions	X
Work with fumes or airborne particles	X
Work near moving mechanical parts	X
Risk of electrical shock	X
Vibration	X

Physical Activity	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Standing				X
Walking				X
Sitting				X
Talking & Hearing				X
Using hands/fingers to handle/feel				X
Climbing or balancing	X
Bending, pulling, pushing	X
Driving	X

Lifting Requirements	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Up to 10 pounds		X
Up to 25 pounds		X
Up to 50 pounds	X
Up to 75 pounds	X
Up to 100 pounds	X
Over 100 pounds	X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_     Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_X_     Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

_X_     Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

___      Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

___      Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

___      No special vision requirements

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)