In the UCLA Simulation Center at the David Geffen School of Medicine, you will act as Standardized Patients (SPs) by portraying the symptoms, personality traits, and other characteristics of a real patient, but in a standardized way. SPs receive case materials in advance that must be memorized to create the character (patient). This generally includes information related to the current medical complaint (when it started, previous episodes, severity, etc.), along with other background information (marital status, past medical history, allergies, tobacco use, alcohol use, etc.). The SP uses the information to portray the patient in either a one-on-one setting with a single student/learner, or in a group setting with instructors and/or other students observing. Physical examinations are required in some cases including; but, not limited to: listening to the heart and/or lungs (on the skin); listening to and/or pressing on the abdomen (on the skin); taking pulses, taking blood pressure; performing an ultrasound assessment, etc. SPs will evaluate medical students or other learners for the cases. You will provide feedback through oral and written communication regarding the completeness and quality of the student’s performance. For assessment sessions, they will also need to complete a performance checklist for each student using a web-based program. On other occasions, you may be asked to play roles other than as a patient, for example, they may play the role of a family member or other healthcare team member. Some roles may be highly standardized and scripted while others may be more improvisation. There are no invasive exams, shots, or nudity. All jobs are cast according to the demographic needs of the case at hand.
 
Other responsibilities include: (1) acting as a patient or other designated role in simulated cases, (2) providing oral and written feedback for training and assessment, (3) assisting with other duties as assigned to ensure smooth, high-quality operation of the SP Program and Simulation Center.