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Medical Actor Simulation Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Actor Simulation information

See Portland, OR salary details

$41.4K

$130.9K

$202K

How much do medical actor simulation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for medical actor simulation in Portland, OR is $130,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,600.00 and $155,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medical actor (standardized patient), and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medical Actor, you need strong acting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to accurately portray medical scenarios, generally supported by training in theatre or simulation programs. Familiarity with medical terminology and simulation protocols, as well as experience using digital feedback or evaluation systems, is often required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and professionalism are standout soft skills for interacting with both learners and educators. These abilities ensure accurate, consistent simulation experiences that help healthcare professionals develop and assess essential clinical skills.

What are some common challenges faced by medical actors in simulation scenarios, and how can they be managed?

Medical actors, also known as standardized patients, often face the challenge of consistently portraying specific symptoms and emotional states across multiple sessions. This requires strong memorization, adaptability, and emotional resilience, especially when providing constructive feedback to medical students or professionals. Managing these challenges involves thorough preparation, clear communication with simulation coordinators, and debriefing after scenarios to ensure emotional well-being. Collaboration with educators and fellow actors is also key to maintaining consistency and realism in each simulation.

What is a medical actor simulation?

Medical actor simulations involve trained individuals, often known as standardized patients or medical actors, who role-play as patients to help train and assess healthcare professionals. These simulations provide realistic scenarios that allow medical students and practitioners to practice communication, diagnostic, and clinical skills in a controlled environment. Medical actors follow scripts that mimic real medical conditions, giving participants valuable feedback on their performance. This approach helps improve patient care and safety by allowing for experiential learning without risk to real patients.

What is the difference between Medical Actor Simulation vs Medical Scribe?

AspectMedical Actor SimulationMedical Scribe
Required CredentialsMinimal; often high school diploma or equivalent, training providedMedical terminology knowledge; often certification or training in medical documentation
Work EnvironmentHealthcare simulation labs, training centers, hospitalsHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities
Employer & Industry UsageMedical schools, training programs, healthcare simulation companiesHospitals, physician practices, healthcare organizations

Medical Actor Simulation involves role-playing as patients to help train healthcare professionals, focusing on realistic patient interactions. Medical Scribes assist clinicians by documenting patient encounters in real-time. While both roles support healthcare education and efficiency, Medical Actor Simulation emphasizes simulation training, whereas Medical Scribes focus on documentation support during actual patient visits.

What are popular job titles related to Medical Actor Simulation jobs in Portland, OR?

For Medical Actor Simulation jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Medical Actor Simulation jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Medical Actor Simulation jobs in Portland, OR are:

Medical Actor Simulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Medical Actor Simulation job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,866 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Standardized/Simulated Patient (SP) (E)

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

We have an ongoing review of applicants and onboarding a few times each year, based on the needs of programs. We do not have a regular cycle of hiring. 

This position works primarily in the Mark Richardson Interprofessional Simulation Center (MRISC) in the Robertson Life Sciences Building (RLSB), which is a 20,000 square foot facility. This position partners with the following including the undergraduate Medical Education programs; administers MMI’s, OSCE’s, CSAs, CPX, Physical Exam’s, IPE training and all other standardized clinical teaching and simulation experiences within the four-year medical school curriculum. The SP depicts patients and provides feedback to our learners. In our inter-professional facility this position is also instrumental in the integration of Advanced Practice Nursing and other programs that are integrating SPs, simulation and our AV “SimCapture” technologies. This position will work in collaboration with other simulation partners across the university and hospital departments including Medicine, Physician’s Assistant, Nursing, Dentistry, and the College of Pharmacy.


This position is under the direct supervision of the OHSU Senior SP Trainer and in partnership with the MRISC Operations Director. The duties include: portrayal of various clinical roles for educational purposes; help set up and put away the supplies for OHSU Simulation activities for faculty and student use; participate in simulation scenarios and OSCEs as an actor or in assisting to check students off of competencies. Help with other projects that facilitate learning activities for OHSU Simulation.


  • The primary skills required for this position are an organizational skills, flexibility, and willingness to get the job done.
  • Experience in an academic environment.
  • 2 years of actor or standardized patient work.
  • A qualified candidate will be flexible, organized and willing to get the job done.
  • Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

  • Knowledge of healthcare terminology and skills equipment, computer and educational software.
  • Experience in an academic/teaching hospital.

We are Oregon’s only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research.  We also train the next generation of health care professionals.  As Portland’s largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations.  We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu

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About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887

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