Standardized Patient Educator

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Medical School's Office of Medical Student Education - Standardized Patient (SP) Program is searching for a Training Specialist, Intermediate. You will be the bridge between clinical skills training and assessment and standardized patient methodologies. You will collaborate with faculty to design realistic patient scenarios and assessment tools, and recruit and train Standardized Patients (individuals trained to act as patients) to portray the assigned case with a learner. The goal is to ensure SPs are well prepared and able to evaluate health professions students on their communication and clinical skills. You will manage the logistics of these learning and assessment exercises, oversee the SPs, and ensure assessment data is accurate and meaningful.

As a Training Specialist Intermediate, you will make independent decisions that directly impact business operations and educational quality. You will perform work that is varied and rigorous, requiring autonomous analysis of different courses of action to determine the best path forward.

The Training Specialist Intermediate role is a hybrid position. On average, you will be on-site 2-3 days per week to support program operations, learner training and exams, and SP training sessions.

For more information, please visit the SPP website, https://cela.med.umich.edu/. 

What You'll Do

You will help with recruiting individuals to serve as SPs based on specific demographics required for each medical case. You will lead training sessions to teach SPs how to portray specific illnesses, how to use evaluation technology, and how to provide constructive verbal feedback to students. Additionally, you will supervise SP performances during exams to ensure high-quality role portrayal and student evaluations.

You will manage the behind-the-scenes operations and help run multi-station formative and summative exams, ensuring all exam elements, from SP portrayal to real-time data entry, run seamlessly. You will maintain confidential student records and SP databases, while also validating student performance and meeting with students to provide feedback or remediation plans if they fail to meet established performance benchmarks.

You will work with faculty to develop scripts, handbooks, and assessment checklists, and also update existing training materials based on the latest medical literature and SP pedagogical practices.

You will represent the SPP on committees and at conferences (local, national) to showcase the work of the UMMS Standardized Patient Program. You will report to the SP Program Director. You will work as a member of a team to facilitate the program's daily operations, contribute to cohesive team communication, and ensure staff coverage for all scheduled activities.

Required Qualifications*

  • Bachelor's Degree.
  • Two or more years of experience in training, education, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of training fundamental concepts and the ability to apply original thinking to complex problems.
  • Ability to work independently, make decisions regarding program operations, and manage a portfolio of varied assignments.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
  • Demonstrated attention to professionalism and confidentiality of student records.
  • Comfort with training a wide variety of medical content, including topics such as death/dying, medical error, drug use, child abuse, and physical exams.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees, and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Using appropriate safety techniques, this position may require periodic moving of supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.