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Medical Acting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Actor

San Jose, CA · On-site

$21/hr

Actor - Seasonal San Jose CA Seasonal Sept - Nov Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is the nation ... medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, age, or any ...

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Medical Acting information

What is medical acting?

Medical acting, also known as standardized patient work, involves trained actors who simulate real patients for the purposes of medical education and assessment. These actors portray various medical conditions and scenarios so that healthcare students and professionals can practice their clinical and communication skills in a realistic but controlled environment. Medical actors help improve the quality of medical training by providing consistent, repeatable cases and valuable feedback to learners. This role requires excellent communication, improvisation skills, and the ability to give constructive feedback.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical actor?

To thrive as a Medical Actor (Standardized Patient), you need strong acting abilities, attention to detail, and the capacity to accurately portray medical scenarios, often supported by relevant training or workshops. Familiarity with medical terminology, case scripts, and simulation technologies is frequently required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and professionalism set outstanding medical actors apart, as they must interact effectively with learners and instructors. These skills are vital for providing realistic learning experiences that help medical trainees develop clinical and interpersonal competencies.

What are some common challenges faced by medical actors during simulated patient scenarios?

Medical actors, also known as standardized patients, often need to remember complex case details and consistently portray specific symptoms or emotions across multiple sessions. They must adapt to different communication styles from healthcare trainees, which can be mentally and emotionally demanding. Additionally, providing constructive feedback to learners while maintaining professionalism is a key part of the role. Strong observational skills and resilience are essential to managing these challenges effectively.

What is the difference between Medical Acting vs Medical Simulation Specialist?

AspectMedical ActingMedical Simulation Specialist
Required CredentialsActing skills, basic medical knowledge, sometimes certifications in healthcareHealthcare background, certifications in simulation or education technology
Work EnvironmentHospitals, training centers, film sets for medical trainingSimulation labs, medical training facilities, educational institutions
Employer & Industry UsageMedical training programs, healthcare education, medical mediaMedical education, healthcare training, simulation technology companies

Medical Acting involves performing as patients or healthcare providers for training or media, requiring acting skills and some medical knowledge. Medical Simulation Specialists design and operate realistic medical simulations to train healthcare professionals, often with a healthcare or technical background. Both roles support medical education but differ in focus: one on performance, the other on technical simulation setup.

How to be a medical actor?

To become a medical actor, you typically need acting experience and a good understanding of medical terminology and procedures. Many roles require training in healthcare scenarios, such as CPR or first aid, and familiarity with medical equipment. Some actors pursue specialized training or certifications to accurately portray healthcare professionals in simulations or training environments.

What are popular job titles related to Medical Acting jobs in California?

For Medical Acting jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Medical Acting jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Medical Acting jobs in California are:

Medical Acting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Acting job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Scriptwriting & Acting Instructor - San Jose

Options for All

San Jose, CA • On-site

$26.45/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Why join our team
At Options For All, we create opportunities for adults with disabilities to live, work, and love life in their community with dignity and respect. As a USA TODAY Top Workplace, we are proud to build a culture where team members feel supported, valued, and connected to meaningful work.
As a Scriptwriting and Acting Instructor, you will make a difference every day by helping people build independence, make choices, and work toward their goals. This is more than a job. It is a chance to create real impact while joining a mission-driven organization that values dignity, inclusion, and respect. We are looking for people who care deeply, take initiative, and want to help others thrive.
Why you'll love it here
At Options For All, we believe a great workplace starts with putting people first. We are proud to build a culture where team members feel supported, valued, and connected to the work they do. We celebrate diversity, foster belonging, and create opportunities for growth.
When you join our team, you can expect:
  • A supportive team environment
  • Meaningful work that makes a difference
  • An inclusive culture where you belong
  • Opportunities to learn and grow

Your benefits start on Day 1:
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees
  • Comprehensive coverage for qualifying dependents, including 100% dental and vision and 50% medical
  • Retirement savings plan with up to a 5% company match
  • Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and paid holidays, including your birthday
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program

What you'll be doing
The Scriptwriting & Acting Instructor teaches adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a vocational Film, Media, and Creative Arts program. This position provides engaging, hands-on instruction in storytelling, guiding students through the process of developing original short films and feature-length screenplays, character development, acting techniques, and on-camera performance while fostering creativity, confidence, communication, teamwork, and professional skills in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
In this role, you will:
  • Teach scriptwriting, acting, and storytelling skills through hands-on, industry-informed instruction.
  • Create engaging lesson plans and learning activities that support student growth, skill development, and career readiness.
  • Support students with coaching, feedback, and encouragement tailored to their strengths, goals, and learning styles.
  • Help lead scriptwriting and acting work for studio projects, including developing screen plays, character development, acting techniques, and on camera - performance
  • Partner with team members to support student progress, employment opportunities, and successful participation in studio and community-based experiences.
  • Maintain a safe, organized, and supportive learning environment.
  • Support program documentation, equipment oversight, and other responsibilities that help the studio run smoothly.

What we're looking for
We are looking for someone who is compassionate, dependable, and ready to make a positive impact.
Education
  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Bachelors degree preferred

Experience
  • Three or more years of experience in screenwriting, filmmaking, acting instruction, theater arts, or media production.
  • Experience teaching or coaching acting, storytelling, scriptwriting, or film production in a classroom, workshop, or community-based setting
  • Experience teaching, coaching, or supporting others in building new skills.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects, stay organized, and meet deadlines.
  • Comfort using Microsoft Office and other basic workplace technology.

Preferred
  • Experience developing original screenplays, short films, or creative media projects from concept through production.
  • Knowledge of character development, scene construction, dialogue writing, and cinematic storytelling techniques.
  • Experience with budgeting, location scouting, script supervising, assistant directing, or other production leadership responsibilities.
  • A portfolio, demo reel, or other samples of relevant film and media work.

Other Requirements
  • 21 years of age or older
  • A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and an acceptable driving record are required for this role.
  • This role requires travel within the region where services are provided.
  • Final candidates must successfully complete a background check.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
This position requires the employee to regularly stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee must be capable of writing, using a computer keyboard, telephone and related office equipment. Ability to lift 10lbs. required.
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee will experience normal office conditions with a well-lighted work area and minor noise from standard office equipment
Equal Opportunity and Accommodation
Options For All are committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact Ciara Quinones at cquinones@optionsforall.org.

Apply