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Contractual Standardized Patient Actor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Standard Patient Actor Position Type: Temporary About the Role: These actors are working primarily in our Simulation Center in the College of Health & Human Services. The actors will simulate ...

Simulation Actor Specialist

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$16.20 - $20.24/hr

Primarily acts as a Standardized Patient Actor for scenario-based simulations. * Primary Program Lead for NPS Programs that run actor-only scenarios (Medical Assisting, Nursing Assistant, Basic ...

Primarily acts as a Standardized Patient Actor for scenario-based simulations. * Primary Program Lead for NPS Programs that run actor-only scenarios (Medical Assisting, Nursing Assistant, Basic ...

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Contractual Standardized Patient Actor information

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How much do contractual standardized patient actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractual standardized patient actor in the United States is $19.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do contractual standardized patient actors make?

Contractual standardized patient actors typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on the location, experience, and the complexity of the scenarios. Pay rates can vary based on the organization and whether the role is part-time or on a contract basis, often requiring good communication skills and the ability to follow detailed instructions.

What is the difference between Contractual Standardized Patient Actor vs Medical Simulation Technician?

AspectContractual Standardized Patient ActorMedical Simulation Technician
CredentialsMinimal; often high school diploma or equivalentTechnical certifications or training in medical simulation equipment
Work EnvironmentHealthcare training centers, hospitals, educational institutionsSimulation labs, hospitals, medical schools
Employer & IndustryHealthcare education, medical training programsMedical simulation centers, hospitals, educational institutions

The Contractual Standardized Patient Actor primarily role-plays patient scenarios for medical training, requiring minimal technical credentials. In contrast, a Medical Simulation Technician manages and maintains simulation equipment, often needing technical certifications. Both roles operate within healthcare training environments but serve different functions in medical education.

Can you make a living as a contractual standardized patient actor?

Contractual standardized patient actors can earn income through part-time or freelance work, often paid per session or case. While some may supplement other income sources, making a full-time living solely as a standardized patient actor can be challenging due to variable availability and pay rates, which typically depend on experience, location, and the frequency of assignments.

How to become a contractual standardized patient actor?

To become a contractual standardized patient actor, individuals typically need good communication skills, the ability to portray medical conditions accurately, and often complete training provided by healthcare training programs or institutions. Prior experience in acting or healthcare can be beneficial, and some roles require background checks or health screenings. Flexibility with scheduling and the ability to follow detailed case scripts are also important.
More about Contractual Standardized Patient Actor jobs
What cities are hiring for Contractual Standardized Patient Actor jobs? Cities with the most Contractual Standardized Patient Actor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Standardized Patient Actor jobs? The most popular types of Standardized Patient Actor jobs are:
What states have the most Contractual Standardized Patient Actor jobs? States with the most job openings for Contractual Standardized Patient Actor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contractual Standardized Patient Actor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,187 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

$15 - $40/hr

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Re-posted 29 days ago


University System Of New Hampshire rating

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Job description

Standardized Patient Actor

The Standardized Patient (SP) Actor supports health sciences student education by portraying patients, family members, or other roles in simulation-based learning activities. Working under the direction of Director of Simulation and simulation faculty and staff, the SP Actor provides consistent, realistic, and educationally aligned performances that allow learners to practice clinical, communication, and interprofessional skills in a psychologically safe environment.This adjunct position requires the ability to accurately follow case scripts, respond appropriately to learner actions, and, when trained, provide structured feedback to learners. Standardized Patient Actors collaborate with faculty, simulation staff, and other SPs to support teaching, assessment, research, and programmatic evaluation activities within the simulation center.

Duties/Responsibilities
  • Portray patients, caregivers, or other assigned roles in accordance with case scripts, learning objectives, and performance standards.
  • Deliver consistent verbal, nonverbal, emotional, and physical cues across repeated learner encounters.
  • Adapt performance in real time while maintaining case fidelity and educational intent.
  • Participate in simulation activities that may include clinical skills practice, communication scenarios, interprofessional education, and assessment exercises.
  • Attend required training sessions, rehearsals, and case briefings prior to simulation activities.
  • Learn case details including patient history, affect, physical presentation, and expected learner responses.
  • Collaborate with simulation faculty and staff to clarify expectations and refine role portrayal.
  • Review and incorporate feedback to improve performance accuracy and consistency.
  • When trained, provide structured, objective feedback to learners based on defined frameworks.
  • Maintain confidentiality of learners, cases, and assessment outcomes.
  • Uphold professional standards, reliability, and respectful communication at all times.
  • Support a psychologically safe learning environment for learners and fellow SPs.
Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated ability to memorize information, follow detailed instructions, and perform consistently.
  • Prior acting, teaching, healthcare, customer service, or training experience may substitute for formal education.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to portray a wide range of emotions, behaviors, and physical presentations.
  • Capacity to accept coaching and incorporate feedback.
  • Reliability, punctuality, and attention to detail.
  • Comfort working with diverse learners, faculty, and staff.
  • Ability to maintain role boundaries and confidentiality.
  • Basic comfort with simulation environments and audiovisual recording (training provided).
  • Ability to sit, stand, or move for extended periods during simulation activities.
  • Willingness to portray sensitive or emotionally complex scenarios (with advance notice and support).
  • Availability for variable scheduling, including occasional evenings or weekends.
  • Previous experience as a standardized patient or standardized participant.
  • Acting, improvisation, or performance background.
  • Experience in healthcare, education, or human services.
  • Experience providing feedback or participating in educational assessment.
Required Applicant Materials
  • Resume

Compensation Pay Range: $15.00-$40.00 per hour


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