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Patient Actor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

HarmonyCares

Patient Health Coordinator

Troy, MI · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

Acting as the liaison between the provider and patient by coordinating in-market activities, including but not limited to relaying messages, processing referrals & faxes, and handling prior ...

HarmonyCares

Patient Health Coordinator

Troy, MI · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

Acting as the liaison between the provider and patient by coordinating in-market activities, including but not limited to relaying messages, processing referrals & faxes, and handling prior ...

HarmonyCares

Patient Health Coordinator

Troy, MI · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

Acting as the liaison between the provider and patient by coordinating in-market activities, including but not limited to relaying messages, processing referrals & faxes, and handling prior ...

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Patient Actor information

See Michigan salary details

$11

$18

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How much do patient actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient actor in Michigan is $18.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $22.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patient actor role?

A patient actor is a person trained to simulate real patients during medical training, research, or testing scenarios. They follow scripted behaviors and provide feedback to help healthcare professionals improve their skills and procedures.

How to become a standardized patient actor?

To become a standardized patient actor, individuals typically complete training provided by healthcare education programs, which includes learning how to accurately simulate medical conditions and provide consistent feedback. Prior experience in acting, communication skills, and the ability to follow detailed scenarios are important, and some programs may require background checks or health screenings. Certification or participation in workshops can enhance employability in this role.

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.

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 are patient actors?

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 is the easiest healthcare job that pays well?

A patient actor is considered an accessible healthcare role that requires minimal formal education and training, often involving simulated patient interactions for medical training. These roles typically pay hourly and can be less demanding than clinical positions, making them a relatively easy way to earn a good income in healthcare. However, pay varies based on location and experience.

How much do patient actors get paid?

Patient actors typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on the location, experience, and the complexity of the role. Some assignments may pay a flat fee or daily rate, especially for longer or specialized simulations. Compensation can also vary based on whether the role is part-time or freelance work.
What are popular job titles related to Patient Actor jobs in Michigan? For Patient Actor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Patient Actor jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Patient Actor jobs in Michigan are:
Patient Actor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Actor job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,710 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Standardized Patient (Simulation Actor)

Henry Ford College, MI

Dearborn, MI • On-site

$18.90/hr

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Salary: $18.90 Hourly
Location : Dearborn, MI, MI
Job Type: PT Non Classified
Job Number: 202500363
Division: Nursing
Department: Nursing
Opening Date: 09/05/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description Summary
Henry Ford College presents an opportunity for an occasional (part-time/daytime hrs) Standardized Patient (Simulation Actor).
This is a great opportunity for applicants who are looking for occasional opportunities with reliable daytime availability.
This is a by-appointment position based on classroom needs at Henry Ford College Health and Human Services. Employees participate in scheduled sessions arranged around employee's availability and ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours each, with up to two sessions a day. Although there are rare late evening or Saturday sessions, the greatest need is for morning, mid-day, and afternoon sessions beginning between 8am and 2pm, M-F. Sessions are held during Fall and Winter Semesters (no summer sessions currently available).
The Standardized Patient (SP) will be part of a "pool" and will be brought in as appropriate based on availability and scenario need. Depending on classroom needs and employee availability, most SPs will participate in 12 to 40 hours of work per semester, broken up over several sessions.
The Standardized Patient (SP), reports directly to the associated faculty and participates in simulation scenarios with the Nursing Program at Henry Ford College, East Campus. The SP may be required to sign a waiver upon hire.
The major responsibility of this position is to accurately portray, following staff training and instructions, all the characteristics of a real patient, simulating the signs and symptoms required by different training scenarios. SPs follow basic prompts provided by instructors, engage directly with students, and participate in post-clinic debriefings to help assess clinical skills and provide constructive feedback about a student's performance. Through their involvement, an SP plays a vital role in helping nursing students gain real-world experience in assessing and caring for patients in a safe, supportive learning environment. SP's participation helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice, making a real impact on the future of healthcare.
Each SP will be assigned multiple sessions, on-site visits each fall and winter semester, with up to two sessions a visit. Each visit will involve scenario training, meeting with students in a simulated healthcare scenario, and post-simulation de-briefing. Additionally, all SPs will be expected to attend an on-campus orientation and complete an online, asynchronous training module (training paid at standard hourly rate).
Core Competencies and Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Comfort with and consent to undergoing a physical exam conducted by (both male and female nursing students) under faculty supervision while wearing a hospital gown.
  • Comfort and consent to having hypoallergenic special effects/bruising/wound makeup applied for simulation
  • Comfort with discussing and portraying patients in mental health crises
  • Reliability and punctuality.
  • Patience, empathy, and understanding
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to follow directions.
  • Improvisational skills/ability to "stay in character" within assigned simulations.
  • Access to personal technology for online training, scheduling, and other communication
  • Must be able to sit for long periods of time, able/willing to get their vital checked, able to stand up/sit down, get on and off an examining table, roll over, and twist torso during examinations.
The ideal candidate will have experience that also reflects:
  • Training or experience in health professions and/or training or experience in acting, hospitality, tourism, commission sales, or other performance-based skills
  • Flexible schedule to meet the various needs (with notice) of curricular schedules
  • Experience working in healthcare, educational, or training environments.
  • Performers with improvisational and "crowd-work" experience are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to
  • Be highly dependable and punctual
  • Demonstrate flexibility and reliability with scheduling and assignments
  • Follow written and verbal instructions
  • Working in a professional manner when interacting with learners, faculty supervisors and peers
  • Be comfortable having repeated physical examination maneuvers performed on self
  • Be willing to wear a hospital gown with only undergarments/short or tank top underneath, while on camera and/or observed live through an observation window or video monitor for training purposes
  • Simulate all aspects of scenarios, including offering a provided history of current problems, affect/behavior, and physical findings, in a standardized, accurate, reliable, and realistic manner
  • Accurately and consistently complete cue sheets
  • Accept ongoing feedback from Nursing Faculty/facilitators and incorporate into case simulation
  • Be willing to be audio and video recorded during simulations
  • Other duties as assigned, qualified and trained to perform.

Additional Information
Working Hours/scheduling: This is for Fall 2025
  • SP simulation scenarios are scheduled based on the program's curricular needs. Dates are provided as far in advance as possible. (Sessions available M-F, 8am-9pm)
  • Paid training is provided through an on-campus orientation and self-paced, asynchronous online course. Individual scenario information provided in advance and at each scheduled exercise.
  • SPs will be part of a "pool" and will be brought in as appropriate based on availability and scenario need. SPs may get up to 20 hours per semester, broken up over several sessions.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

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