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Clinical Simulation Actor Jobs in Durham, NC (NOW HIRING)

Clinical Simulation Actor information

See Durham, NC salary details

$13

$33

$87

How much do clinical simulation actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for clinical simulation actor in Durham, NC is $33.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $31.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a clinical simulation actor?

Clinical simulation actors, also known as standardized patients, are individuals trained to portray real patients in medical training scenarios. They help medical students and professionals practice clinical, communication, and diagnostic skills in a realistic but controlled environment. These actors follow scripted cases and provide feedback to learners, aiding in the development of essential healthcare competencies. Their work is crucial for improving patient safety and the quality of care provided by future medical practitioners.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a clinical simulation actor?

To thrive as a Clinical Simulation Actor, you need strong acting ability, attention to detail, and a good understanding of medical scenarios, often supported by training in drama or simulation programs. Familiarity with simulation labs, standardized patient case scripts, and possibly medical terminology databases is beneficial. Excellent communication, adaptability, and feedback receptiveness are crucial soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills ensure realistic and effective simulations, helping medical trainees develop their clinical and interpersonal competencies in a safe environment.

What are common challenges faced by clinical simulation actors, and how can they be addressed?

Clinical Simulation Actors, also known as standardized patients, often face the challenge of consistently portraying specific symptoms, emotions, and case details across multiple sessions. This requires excellent memory, adaptability, and emotional resilience. To address these challenges, actors benefit from thorough case preparation, regular feedback from instructors, and participation in training workshops. Collaborating closely with medical educators and fellow actors also helps ensure the accuracy and realism needed for effective simulations.

What is the difference between Clinical Simulation Actor vs Medical Simulation Technician?

AspectClinical Simulation ActorMedical Simulation Technician
Required CredentialsOften no formal certification, but healthcare or acting experience helpfulTechnical certifications or training in medical simulation equipment
Work EnvironmentHealthcare simulation labs, educational institutionsMedical simulation centers, hospitals, training facilities
Employer & IndustryMedical schools, hospitals, healthcare training programsHealthcare institutions, medical device companies, training centers
Common Search & ComparisonClinical Simulation Actor vs Medical Simulation Technician

The Clinical Simulation Actor primarily role-plays patients or healthcare scenarios to enhance training, often with minimal technical equipment. In contrast, the Medical Simulation Technician focuses on setting up, maintaining, and operating simulation equipment. Both roles are vital in healthcare education but differ in technical responsibilities and focus areas.

What are popular job titles related to Clinical Simulation Actor jobs in Durham, NC?

For Clinical Simulation Actor jobs in Durham, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Clinical Simulation Actor jobs in Durham, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Clinical Simulation Actor jobs in Durham, NC are:

What cities near Durham, NC are hiring for Clinical Simulation Actor jobs?

Cities near Durham, NC with the most Clinical Simulation Actor job openings:

Infographic showing various Clinical Simulation Actor job openings in Durham, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,576 per year, or $33.5 per hour.

Standardized Patient/Patient Actor

Duke Clinical Research Institute

Durham, NC • On-site

$18 - $26.10/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

Join Our Team as a Simulated Patient (SP)

Are you interested in contributing to the education of future healthcare professionals in a meaningful and impactful way?

We are seeking individuals to serve as Simulated Patients (SPs)-trained individuals who portray real patients in a consistent, standardized manner to support clinical training and assessment.

As an SP, you will play a vital role in helping learners develop and refine their clinical and interpersonal skills. You'll be trained to accurately and consistently recreate patient histories, physical symptoms, emotional responses, and communication styles. SPs are interviewed and physically examined by learners or healthcare professionals in a safe, respectful, and professional environment-just as if they were real patients.

Simulated Patients are recorded for teaching and assessment purposes.

Work Arrangement- On-Site/Part-time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education- Work requires ability to understand and follow instructions.

Work requires ability to memorize and to improvise as needed and be improvisational.

Experience- Acting, healthcare and teaching experience are not required but is preferred.

Be Bold.

Skills

  • Ability to work well with a variety of people.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of people.
  • Ability to recall an encounter accurately for the completion of checklists and written materials during practice sessions and assessments which result in learner grades.
  • Ability to be well organized in all work aspects.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and work independently.
  • Be punctual and reliable in attendance.
  • Capacity for flexibility and adaptability in different work situations.
  • Comfort with their own body and examinations by health personnel.
  • Basic computer skills for email communication, document printing, and checklist documentation.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include simulating a patient case, instructing and assessing health providers at multiple levels (undergraduate, post graduate and practicing providers) in clinical and communication skills.

  • Additional responsibilities include responding to email messages promptly, demonstrating professional behavior and accountability for actions, working as a team and keeping commitments to the SP Program.
  • Simulate all aspects of the patient scenario, including history of current problem, affect/behavior and physical findings in a standardized, accurate and reliable manner.
  • Teach and assess clinical skills of medical students and other learners.
  • Accurately and consistently document skills of learners, using a computer.
  • Provide written and face-to-face verbal feedback to learners.
  • Monitor other Standardized Patients for quality assurance.
  • Accept ongoing feedback from supervisor and incorporate that feedback into case simulation.

Other related duties incidental to the to the work described herein.

Choose Duke.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're passionate about education, communication, and healthcare-and enjoy working in a dynamic, collaborative environment-we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to become a Simulated Patient and help shape the future of healthcare professionals!

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.00 to USD $26.10. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).