Simulation & Immersive Learning Center at Texas A&M Health

Role Description The Simulated Participant (SP) at the Simulation & Immersive Learning Center at Texas A&M University plays a critical role in healthcare simulation education by portraying realistic and repeatable roles, such as patients, family members, or healthcare professionals, to support experiential learning and assessment for healthcare learners. SPs contribute to creating safe, high-quality, and professional simulation experiences that enhance learner competence, critical thinking, and patient safety. This position adheres to the standards set by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Standards of Best Practice (SOBP). Qualifications - High school diploma or equivalent required; experience in acting, teaching, or healthcare is preferred but not mandatory. - Prior experience as a standardized patient, simulated patient, or simulated participant is an asset. - Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills to portray roles realistically and provide effective feedback. - Ability to memorize and recall detailed case information to ensure consistency in portrayal. - Emotional intelligence and adaptability to respond appropriately to diverse learner interactions. - Comfort with receiving and incorporating constructive feedback to improve performance. - Basic computer literacy for completing online training modules, assessment forms, or scheduling tasks. - Commitment to professionalism, accountability, and collaboration, as outlined in ASPE SOBP values. - Willingness to work in a dynamic, team-oriented environment with diverse learners and faculty. - Ability to maintain psychological and physical safety during simulation activities, including sensitive examinations, with appropriate training and consent. Requirements - Accurately and consistently portray assigned roles based on detailed case scenarios. - Maintain realism and repeatability in physical, emotional, and verbal responses. - Adapt portrayals to meet the needs of various learners in formative and summative assessment contexts. - Provide constructive, objective, and learner-centered feedback to students. - Complete assessment instruments accurately and consistently to evaluate learner performance. - Participate in debriefing sessions to support learner reflection and growth. - Attend mandatory training sessions to learn case materials and feedback delivery methods. - Prepare for each simulation session by reviewing case scripts and practicing role portrayal. - Collaborate with SP Educators to refine portrayal and feedback skills. - Maintain a safe physical and psychological work environment. - Uphold confidentiality regarding case details and simulation activities. - Demonstrate professionalism through punctuality, reliability, and respectful interactions. - Participate in quality assurance processes to ensure consistency and quality in simulation delivery. - Provide input to SP Educators on case development or simulation processes. - Support hybrid simulations that may involve manikins, task trainers, or other modalities. Benefits - Competitive hourly rate, starting at $25 and up to $80 per hour, commensurate with experience and role complexity. - Additional compensation may be provided for roles requiring specialized training or high-stakes assessments. - Comprehensive training in role portrayal, feedback delivery, and assessment techniques. - Ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance skills. - Support for pursuing additional certifications, such as those offered by SSH. Application Process To apply, submit a resume and cover letter detailing your interest in the Simulated Participant role and any relevant experience to [insert contact information or application portal]. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview and audition to assess suitability for role portrayal and feedback delivery.