Standardized Patient Educator

Department: MED-NU Simulation
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

Northwestern Simulation (NU SIM) is a state-of-the-art educational service center within the Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) Department of Medical Education. Our mission is to provide exceptional simulation-based education to improve patient care while transforming healthcare through education, innovation, and research.

This person works within NU Simulation (NU SIM). They assist with the implementation of programs that help advance the academic goals of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine students and school. In this fast paced learning environment, this person educates, prepares and trains standardized patients (SPs) to assess, evaluate and provide feedback to medical students and other learners in clinical skills based on Feinberg curricular goals. The position involves recruiting, training, and abiding by all SP educator guidelines to ensure a standardized approach to all SP training work and event execution SPs.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

Primary SP Educator Duties:

• Recruit, audition, hire, and onboard all Standardized Patients (SPs) with a continued commitment to maintaining a diverse and inclusive temp employee pool (i.e., regarding gender identity, age, race-ethnicity) for all NU SIM areas. Collaborate with team members to ensure all aspects of SP hiring practices and databases are collaboratively maintained and executed promptly.
• Cast, train, and educate SPs in case portrayal, completion of student evaluation tools, and feedback (verbal or written) per the SP trainer guidelines criteria for clinical teaching and assessment-based exams and per the direction of NU Simulation faculty physician and director leadership.
• Develop proficiency within educational software, CAE Learning Space, to ensure accurate learner schedules, SP database, training simulations, and testing permissions for assessments.
• Support set up, execution, and breakdown of all events. Ensure full SP coverage for all assignments, including trained SPs (and support staff when necessary). Provide onsite and real-time guidance during SP events by answering SP questions. Maintain and cultivate a professional testing environment at all times (i.e. confidentiality of all testing materials, quiet testing environment, student performance issues, and scoring information).
• Observe and calibrate SP performance (real-time and archival data) to assure the reliability of case portrayal, checklist accuracy, communication checklist, and feedback writing. Provide ongoing feedback to SPs regularly and address any performance or professional issues with an SP immediately. Prepare accuracy reports after each high-stakes assessment for Director and Medical Director(s).
• Alert the Director to all SPs issues such as unprofessional behavior, tardiness, no-shows, lack of coverage, portrayal, and assessment inaccuracy or deficient student feedback in a timely fashion. Ensure all necessary information such as the above is shared with the other team members when appropriate. Immediately notify the Director regarding any breach in confidentiality where student data or other highly sensitive information is concerned.

Administration and Budget Related:

• Schedule all training sessions for SP training, work within the time allotted for training sessions per the SP educator guidelines. Troubleshoot as necessary to resolve time conflicts, room problems, and other logistical problems encountered.
• Understand HR, payroll, University guidelines to direct SPs to the appropriate resources when necessary.
• Communicate regularly to Director on details of program activities including problems, concerns, administrative and operational matters. Prepare reports.
• On an ongoing basis, keep the Director informed of student performance issues or concerns.

Medical Education Related:

• Assist with exam room setup for clinical skills activities. Ensure the Outpatient SIM environment is maintained and secure.
• Ensure confidentiality of all learners, SPs, real patients, and testing materials.
• Assist in NU SIM research activities. Responsibility includes data collection and ensuring data collection by SPs.
• Participate in the development of public relations materials and events about NU SIM and its programs.

Other Duties as Assigned

Examples include:

• Work across multiple departments, campus locations, etc. when necessary for an event.
• Recruit faculty to assist in SP training when appropriate.
• Assist faculty, medical students, and visitors while in NU SIM.
• Assist in the maintenance of the Operations and Procedures Manual.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Bachelor's degree required in theater, fine arts, or education.
• At least 2 years of experience working as a Standardized Patient.
• Exceptional communication skills (i.e., verbal and written such as email communication, face-to-face meetings, virtual and in-person interactions with colleagues, faculty, and learners).
• Expertise in training, coaching, and efficiency. Ability to take direction as necessary during any aspect of an event.
• Expertise in providing flexible, responsive, and high-quality customer service on an ongoing basis; must enjoy working with standardized patients, students, and faculty.
• Ability to successfully function in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, demonstrate initiative, and seek assistance on difficult issues, prioritize assignments, meet deadlines and problem solve on an ongoing basis, including identifying obstacles and processing problems and suggesting solutions, and assisting with implementing changes to resolve problems.
• Must be detail-oriented and can multi-task on an ongoing basis to complete routine-to-complex assignments.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office suite.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain attentive to competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• 3+ years' experience as an sp educator in a standardized patient program and 2 years in the educational or health care field preferred. Knowledge of the standardized patient role in the medical school curriculum.
• Working knowledge of theatrical training, case study, and casting experience.
• Working proficiency in cae learning space, office365, project management experience

Target hiring range for this position will be between $56,780 - 73,200 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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