1

Patient Actor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Part-time Patient Actor (MUTA)

Tampa, FL · On-site

$15.25 - $21/hr

Position Details Physician Assistant Medicine in the College of Natural and Health Sciences at The University of Tampa has openings for part-time seasonal patient actors who will portray patients in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Patient Actor information

See salary details

$12

$21

$32

How much do patient actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient actor in the United States is $21.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $25.72 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.
More about Patient Actor jobs
What cities are hiring for Patient Actor jobs? Cities with the most Patient Actor job openings:
What states have the most Patient Actor jobs? States with the most job openings for Patient Actor jobs include:
Standardized Patient/Patient Actor

Standardized Patient/Patient Actor

Duke University

Durham, NC • On-site

$18 - $26.10/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago


Duke University rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

446th of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Standardized Patient/Patient Actor

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You. Join Our Team as a Simulated Patient (SP) Are you interested in contributing to the education of future healthcare professionals in a meaningful and impactful way? We are seeking individuals to serve as Simulated Patients (SPs)—trained individuals who portray real patients in a consistent, standardized manner to support clinical training and assessment. As an SP, you will play a vital role in helping learners develop and refine their clinical and interpersonal skills. You'll be trained to accurately and consistently recreate patient histories, physical symptoms, emotional responses, and communication styles. SPs are interviewed and physically examined by learners or healthcare professionals in a safe, respectful, and professional environment—just as if they were real patients. Simulated Patients are recorded for teaching and assessment purposes.

Work Arrangement – On-Site/Part-time MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education - Work requires ability to understand and follow instructions. Work requires ability to memorize and to improvise as needed and be improvisational. Experience - Acting, healthcare and teaching experience are not required but is preferred.

Be Bold. Skills Ability to work well with a variety of people. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of people. Ability to recall an encounter accurately for the completion of checklists and written materials during practice sessions and assessments which result in learner grades. Ability to be well organized in all work aspects. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and work independently. Be punctual and reliable in attendance. Capacity for flexibility and adaptability in different work situations. Comfort with their own body and examinations by health personnel. Basic computer skills for email communication, document printing, and checklist documentation.

Responsibilities Responsibilities include simulating a patient case, instructing and assessing health providers at multiple levels (undergraduate, post graduate and practicing providers) in clinical and communication skills. Additional responsibilities include responding to email messages promptly, demonstrating professional behavior and accountability for actions, working as a team and keeping commitments to the SP Program. Simulate all aspects of the patient scenario, including history of current problem, affect/behavior and physical findings in a standardized, accurate and reliable manner. Teach and assess clinical skills of medical students and other learners. Accurately and consistently document skills of learners, using a computer. Provide written and face-to-face verbal feedback to learners. Monitor other Standardized Patients for quality assurance. Accept ongoing feedback from supervisor and incorporate that feedback into case simulation. Other related duties incidental to the to the work described herein.

Choose Duke. Ready to Make a Difference? If you're passionate about education, communication, and healthcare—and enjoy working in a dynamic, collaborative environment—we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to become a Simulated Patient and help shape the future of healthcare professionals! Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $18.00 to USD $26.10. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/ Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of our community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).


What Duke University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Duke University logo

About Duke University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Durham, NC, US