Medical Scenario Participant / Standard Patient - Meritus School Of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Scenario Participant

Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM)

$18/hour • Flexible, as‑needed scheduling

Bring your talent, presence, and professionalism to a role that directly shapes the next generation of physicians. The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is seeking Medical Scenario Participants-individuals who enjoy performing, roleplaying, teaching, or working in clinical environments-to help train future healthcare providers through immersive, realistic simulations.

Whether you come from a theater background, have healthcare experience, or simply feel comfortable speaking and performing in front of others, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

Medical Scenario Participants (also known as Standardized Patients) are trained to portray patients in a consistent, realistic way so students can practice communication, physical exam skills, and clinical reasoning. You'll bring scripted scenarios to life-sometimes emotional, sometimes technical-and help learners grow through your performance and feedback.

This is a flexible, as‑needed position with hours that vary based on the academic calendar. You may be scheduled multiple times per semester depending on program needs.

What You'll Do

• Portray patient roles with accuracy, consistency, and emotional authenticity

• Participate in student‑led clinical encounters, including:

• Medical interviews and history‑taking

• Physical examinations (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation)

• Osteopathic structural exams and OMT when appropriate

• Provide constructive feedback to students about communication, professionalism, and bedside manner

• Complete checklists and documentation with accuracy and timeliness

• Receive coaching and incorporate feedback to refine your performance

• Maintain prompt communication and updated availability with the simulation team

What You Bring

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience: No medical background required-full training is provided
• Skills & Attributes:
• Ability to memorize scenario details and portray roles convincingly
• Comfort being physically examined by students of all genders in an educational setting
• Professionalism, reliability, and openness to coaching
• Basic computer skills and dependable access to email
• Comfort with audio/video recording for educational review

Why You'll Love Working With Us

At Meritus, you'll join a collaborative, mission‑driven environment where your contribution truly matters. We offer:

• A supportive, respectful, and inclusive culture
• The chance to directly influence the development of future physicians
• Flexible scheduling that adapts to your availability
• Competitive hourly pay
• A team that values kindness, professionalism, and a "Happy to Help" mindset

What to Expect

In this role, you will:

• Train to portray patients based on detailed scripts and case materials
• Participate in physical exams that may involve touch, palpation, or guided movement
• Occasionally portray emotionally sensitive scenarios (stress, grief, receiving difficult news)
• Wear simulated patient attire (such as hospital gowns) during sessions
• Work variable hours depending on academic needs
• Complete evaluations between sessions

You will also sign a Confidentiality and Consent Agreement regarding participation and recordings.

This Role May Not Be a Fit If…

• You're uncomfortable being physically examined by students of any gender
• You prefer a predictable, consistent weekly schedule
• Memorizing scripts or following specific behavioral cues is challenging
• You find it difficult to receive or apply performance feedback

This Role Is a Great Fit If…

• You enjoy performing, roleplaying, or public‑facing work
• You're reliable, flexible, and comfortable in dynamic environments
• You want to support medical education in a hands‑on, meaningful way
• You're open to learning new skills and collaborating with an academic team

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.