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Patient Actor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Houston Methodist

Patient Liaison

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital (Monday - Friday) 8 hours per day At Houston Methodist, the Patient Liaison position is responsible for acting as an advocate for patient issues effectively ...

Houston Methodist

Sr Patient Liaison

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital : [Monday - Friday] At Houston Methodist, the Sr Patient Liaison position is responsible for acting as advocate for patient issues effectively and participates ...

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Patient Actor information

How do you become a patient actor?

To become a patient actor, individuals typically need to be able to portray medical conditions convincingly and follow specific instructions from training or casting agencies. Many roles require basic acting skills, reliability, and sometimes a background in healthcare or familiarity with medical terminology. Auditions or applications are often handled through talent agencies or medical training companies that specialize in simulation roles.

What are the typical responsibilities of a patient actor during a medical simulation session?

As a Patient Actor, your primary responsibility is to accurately portray specific symptoms, medical histories, and emotional states to help medical students or professionals practice their clinical and communication skills. You may be required to memorize scripts, provide consistent feedback, and participate in debriefings after sessions. It's important to maintain a high level of professionalism, adapt to various scenarios, and collaborate closely with instructors and evaluators to ensure a realistic and educational experience for learners.

How much do patient actors make?

Patient actors typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on the location, experience, and the complexity of the role. They may also be paid per session or project, especially for medical training or research purposes, and often require acting skills and the ability to follow detailed instructions.

What is the difference between Patient Actor vs Patient Simulator?

AspectPatient ActorPatient Simulator
CredentialsMinimal; acting skills often preferredTechnical certifications or programming knowledge sometimes required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, training centers, simulation labsSimulation labs, medical training facilities, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageMedical training programs, hospitals, educational institutionsMedical schools, hospitals, simulation centers
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in medical training, acting in healthcareTechnical training, medical simulation, healthcare education

Patient Actors perform as real patients to help train healthcare professionals, focusing on acting and communication skills. Patient Simulators are advanced devices or mannequins used for realistic medical training, often requiring technical knowledge. While both roles support medical education, Patient Actors emphasize interaction and acting, whereas Patient Simulators focus on technical medical procedures.

What is a patient actor?

Patient actors, also known as standardized patients, are individuals trained to simulate real patients in order to help medical students and professionals practice clinical and communication skills. They portray specific medical conditions, histories, and symptoms in a consistent manner during exams or training sessions. This allows healthcare providers to practice diagnosis, patient interaction, and bedside manner in a controlled and educational setting.

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

To thrive as a Patient Actor, you need strong acting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to accurately portray medical scenarios, often supported by experience in theater or performance. Familiarity with medical terminology, simulation protocols, and sometimes basic healthcare certifications are valuable for this role. Excellent communication, adaptability, and professionalism are crucial soft skills for receiving feedback and collaborating with educators and healthcare trainees. These abilities are important to create realistic, effective learning experiences that enhance the training and assessment of medical professionals.

What are popular job titles related to Patient Actor jobs in California?

For Patient Actor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Patient Actor jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Patient Actor jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Patient Actor jobs?

Cities in California with the most Patient Actor job openings:

Patient Actor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Actor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Student Patient Actor

California State University

Turlock, CA • On-site

$18/hr

Part-time

Posted 25 days ago

California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

260th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Student Patient Actor
Job no: 559248
Work type: Student Assistant
Location: Stanislaus - Turlock
Categories: Temporary, Part Time, On-site (work in-person at business location), Unit 15 - CSUEU - Student Assistants
    • Position Summary
    • Temporary hourly-intermittent student assistant position(s) available in the Nursing Department.
    • Start Date
    • Position(s) available on or after August 17, 2026, and ending on or before May 31, 2026. Possibility of reappointment based on budget, department needs, and job performance.
    • Job Description/Duties
    • Duties include but are not limited to:
      • Portray sick and afflicted patients for student nurse training.
      • Assist in supporting the Simulation Coordinator, Simulation Technician, and Nursing faculty for simulation activities.
      • Memorize and recall scenario facts.
      • Provide feedback to learners and faculty.
      • Other duties as assigned.
    • Qualifications
    • Preferred Qualifications:
      • Must have good communication skills and the ability to work well with a variety of faculty and students.
      • Ability to work with diverse group of faculty and students
      • Ability to take direction from nursing faculty
      • Acting skills
      • Previous experience as standardized patient

      Required Qualifications:
      • Undergraduate students must be registered/enrolled in a minimum of six (6) Fall/Spring units.
      • Must have received and accepted Financial Aid award for the current semester/year in which you are applying.
    • Salary Range
    • $18.00 per hour.
    • How to Apply
    • To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only. Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration. To apply online, please click the "Apply Now" button on this page.
    • Application Deadline
    • Open Until Filled
    • Background Clearance Notice
    • Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
    • Additional Information
    • Clery Act Disclosure
      Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/epc/clery-safety-reports. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.
      Equal Employment Opportunity
      The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
      Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351. California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD. As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool. Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/sec503/Self_ID_Forms/VoluntarySelf-ID_CC-305_ENG_JRF_QA_508c.pdf.
      CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
      The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.
    • The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.
      INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
      #LI-DNI

Advertised: Jul 20 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
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What California State University employees say

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About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US

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