Standardized Patient Education

Helping the next generation of physicians expand their skills and knowledge

Since 1996, the Standardized Patient Education Program has been supporting medical and nursing students by helping them learn essential skills in patient care. Standardized patients are crucial to the educational development of physicians and other health care professionals.

What is a standardized Patient?

A standardized patient (SP) is an individual who is trained to act as a real patient in a simulated medical visit. SPs allow our students the opportunity to practice the communication, diagnostic and examination skills needed before working in a clinical setting.

What are my responsibilities as a standardized patient?

As a standardized patient, you will be expected to:

  • Accurately and consistently portray physical findings and deliver medical information for given scenarios.
  • Fill out history and physical exam checklists.
  • Rate students' communications skills.
  • Offer verbal or written feedback for both student learning and evaluation.
  • Consistently repeat your given scenario for each student assigned to you.
  • Behave and respond in exactly the same way with each student.

What is required to become a standardized patient?

The ideal standardized patient should:

  • Want to work with students and contribute to their educational success
  • Be willing to undergo exams and give constructive feedback
  • Be comfortable with their own body and health issues
  • Have a flexible work schedule
  • Have excellent observational and communication skills
  • Conduct themselves professionally with students and staff
  • Have the ability to concentrate and actively listen
  • Be disciplined, adaptable, punctual and easy to work with
  • Be comfortable with being recorded for further analysis and education

Who should apply to the standardized patient Program?

Our standardized patients come from a wide range of backgrounds, careers and demographics to help students prepare for real-life challenges and situations in a controlled environment. We welcome people of all ages, ethnic groups and backgrounds to apply to the SP program to simulate a variety of patient histories, personalities and symptoms. Acting experience is not necessary but you must have a good short-term memory to perform consistently in your assigned role.

Apply to become an standardized patient

The University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNR Med) is continuously accepting applications for the Standardized Patient Education program. To apply, please contact Lori Allshouse at (775)-682-6322 or lallshouse@med.unr.edu.

What is the pay and hourly commitment?

Standardized patients are paid an hourly wage on a Letter of Appointment contract. This is an intermittent, part-time job with no guaranteed hours. For example, an SP may work 12 hours one month and no hours the next. Hours depend on many variables including demographics and skills needed. This is a flexible position for individuals interested in contributing to the advancement of medical education.