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Standardized Patient

Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee, WI · Part time

Posted Sep 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why are you interested in portraying patients for medical students?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the work is about student learning, not acting for its own sake.

Some cases involve physical exams, wearing a patient gown and being on camera. How do you feel about that?

What they are checking: Whether they are truly comfortable with the physical and recorded parts of the role before they are trained.

Tell me about a time you had to stay calm and focused while someone else was nervous or struggling.

What they are checking: Whether they can keep their portrayal steady when a student is flustered or makes mistakes.

How do you take direction from a trainer who wants you to change how you play a case?

What they are checking: Whether they accept coaching easily, since cases are refined so every portrayal matches the standard.

What would you do

You may play the same patient case many times in one day. How would you keep your portrayal the same for the last student as for the first?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay consistent, since students are graded and every one deserves the same case.

A student asks you a question that is not covered in your case script. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can respond in character without inventing facts that change the case or give away the answer.

After an encounter you give feedback on the student's communication. How would you tell a student they seemed rushed and did not listen?

What they are checking: Whether they can give honest, specific feedback kindly enough that a student can use it.

A student says something during an encounter that makes you uncomfortable. How would you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to protect themselves and report concerns while staying professional.

About the work

How do you go about memorizing a detailed script, including symptoms, history and how the patient feels?

What they are checking: Whether they have a practical method for learning case details accurately and keeping them straight.

If you were portraying a patient in pain or emotional distress, how would you keep it realistic without overdoing it?

What they are checking: Whether they can show believable symptoms at the level the case calls for so students practice the right skills.

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The full job description

As published by Medical College of Wisconsin.

Summary A Standardized Patient (SP) is an individual who is carefully trained to portray or simulate all aspects of a real patient as part of a case scenario in order to provide an opportunity for a student to learn or be evaluated on their clinical skills. SPs learn all aspects of a patient portrayal including the patient’s appearance, demeanor, chief complaint, symptoms, past medical history, family history, and physical findings. An SP is carefully trained to not only simulate a real patient in a scenario but also provides feedback to the students, especially in regard to their communication and interpersonal skills. The purpose of using SPs is to give the students the opportunity to practice the communication, diagnostic, and examination skills in a clinical and safe environment which they will need before they begin their professional careers. Primary Responsibilities • Attends and participates in training activities in preparation to portray patient roles in staged settings. • Based on specific case studies, repeatedly portrays a patient consistently and accurately throughout staged medical encounters including, but not limited to the patient interview, physical or other non-invasive procedures as deemed necessary by the case. • Memorize script details to consistently portray a standardized patient • Be willing to dress in patient attire, while on camera and/or observed live in a classroom setting • Accurately evaluate the learner’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills using a computer checklist after encounters • Communicates availability for work, reports for work on time when scheduled. • respond to emails, attend virtual trainings, and review case materials outside of work events Schedule: • General daytime availability in-person Monday through Friday to work events lasting 2 to 6 hours, typically 1 to 3 times a month, especially Monday and Tuesdays from 12-4 PM and Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30-11:30 AM Qualifications Minimum Required Education: High school diploma Preferred Experience: 1 year acting experience Why MCW? • Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options • 403B Retirement Package • Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered • Tuition Reimbursement • Paid Parental Leave • Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) • Pet Insurance • On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes • Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc. For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website . MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination: The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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