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Patient Actor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

In this role, you will portray a wide range of patient scenarios, including complex emotional and ... No experience necessary; acting or performance experience is a plus, preferably in simulation or ...

In this role, you will portray a wide range of patient scenarios, including complex emotional and ... No experience necessary; acting or performance experience is a plus, preferably in simulation or ...

In this role, you will portray a wide range of patient scenarios, including complex emotional and ... No experience necessary; acting or performance experience is a plus, preferably in simulation or ...

$20/hr

Acting role to work with/examine a Standardized Patient while being guided via telehealth by an expert Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) RN. SAFE-T chaperone will be present in room. Requirements ...

This includes simulating (or acting out) a specific set of behaviors, symptoms, and problems related to illness or injury based on a patient case including: Patient Examinations, Written and Verbal ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Patient Actor information

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$12

$21

$32

How much do patient actor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 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?

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 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 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 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.

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. Some may be paid a flat fee for specific assignments or sessions, especially in medical training or research settings.

How to become a patient actor?

To become a patient actor, individuals typically need to have good communication skills, a reliable appearance, and the ability to follow instructions. Many roles require training or experience in acting or healthcare simulation, and some positions may require background checks or certifications. Building a portfolio or demo reel can help in securing assignments for medical training, research, or educational purposes.
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:

Infographic showing various Patient Actor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,413 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Simulation Actor (1099)

OCOM

Winter Garden, FL • On-site

$20/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

This job description provides a general outline of the duties and qualifications of the position. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time, and this description may be amended at any time. It is intended to allow for change and growth and enable employees to work to ensure the success of our endeavors.
OCOM MISSION:
The mission of the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine is to train caring and competent osteopathic physicians who will have an impact on the Central Florida community, our nation, and our global community.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This role is classified as a 1099 Independent Contractor arrangement. In this role, you will portray a wide range of patient scenarios, including complex emotional and interpersonal interactions, to provide medical students with valuable hands-on training. You will work closely with faculty and staff to deliver consistent and realistic performances that challenge and educate future osteopathic physicians.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Realistic Portrayal: Accurately and convincingly portray diverse patient personalities, medical histories, and emotional states
  • Improvisation and Adaptability: Improvise and adapt your performance based on student interactions and scenario developments
  • Emotional Range: Demonstrate a wide range of emotions and reactions to simulate real-life patient encounters
  • Scenario Fidelity: Maintain consistency and fidelity to the assigned scenario, including medical details and character background
  • Physical Exam Model: Participate as the patient undergoing a physical examination for medical students to practice their skills
  • Feedback Provision: Provide constructive feedback to students on their communication, empathy, and professionalism, based on provided guidelines
  • Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with faculty and staff to ensure accurate and effective scenario execution
  • Training Participation: Attend training sessions to learn case details, performance expectations, and feedback techniques
  • Professionalism: Maintain a professional demeanor, adhere to confidentiality guidelines, and arrive punctually for scheduled sessions
  • Scenario Participation: Participate in simulated medical interviews, physical examinations, and other clinical scenarios
  • Follow Instructions: Follow written and verbal instructions regarding case details and performance expectations
  • Maintain Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality with all students, cases, training materials, and assessment data

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • No experience necessary; acting or performance experience is a plus, preferably in simulation or educational settings.
  • Excellent improvisational and communication skills.
  • Ability to portray a wide range of emotions and character types.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
  • Reliability, punctuality, and professionalism.
  • Ability to provide constructive feedback.
  • Comfort interacting with medical students and faculty.
  • Flexibility and adaptability.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Previous experience as a Simulation Actor is a plus, but not required.
  • Must be able to pass a background check.
  • Ability to read and write
  • Experience working with computers
  • Experience working with zoom or similar tele-conferencing platforms
  • Ability to access a computer for email, communication and scheduling
  • Reliable transportation required

KEY COMPETENCIES:
  • Ability to quickly learn new technology
  • Ability to work well under pressure and maintain professionalism
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding job assignment and sensitive issues
  • Maintain a welcoming and supportive attitude toward all persons
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Ability to read and memorize lines
  • Demonstrate ability and willingness to work cooperatively and professionally with students, faculty and simulation staff
  • Demonstrate ability to be instructed and coached by members of the simulation team
  • Ability to consistently replicate a case scenario in a standardized, accurate, and reliable manner
  • Ability to accurately and convincingly maintain a specified character with recall of case information as trained
  • Ability to be flexible regarding scheduling and assignments
  • Ability to complete a computerized survey to score student encounter
  • Must be able to sit or lie down for up to 30 minutes at a time
  • Ability to document legibly using writing instrument

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Should be able to move step up and down from an exam table and quickly change from a gown to clothing.

Benefits
  • Hourly Rate: $20.00 / per hour