Information for interested SP applicants

The following are skills that we require of all of our SPs:

Professionalism

We expect professional behavior of all SP staff at all times.

SPs are expected to protect the privacy of their peers, the learners, and patients they may encounter, and to show respect to all others with whom we work closely, including any staff and the medical faculty.

We request timely feedback to the SP Program staff about problematic or uncomfortable interactions with learners, staff, faculty or other SPs.

Scheduling

We aim to invite SPs to programs three-six months in advance, though often last-minute offers may arise. Invitations are based on SP availability, experience, and case criteria (e.g., gender, age, health history/physical findings) determined by course faculty.

Hours vary. Some programs occur over the course of one or two days, while others may take place over several weeks. SPs always receive a minimum of two hours' pay. Paid breaks are built in. Performances typically include meals or refreshments, depending on the length of the day.  

On rare occasions, a program may be canceled or changed, requiring us to un-confirm SPs. Our policy is to pay SPs or to offer alternative work at a mutually agreed upon time to make up for hours missed.

Attendance

SPs are expected to arrive at the dates and times in their SPMS Confirmation.  A no-call, no-show is grounds for immediate dismissal. Even with advance notice, non-emergency absenteeism causes extra work, so SPs should check their calendars carefully before accepting invitations for work with us.
If an SP is running late, we give a grace period of 15 minutes provided they contact the core team (see Contact Staff); after 15 minutes, they must adjust their timesheet regardless to reflect the actual arrival time.

If SPs are habitually late or back out of confirmations, we are less likely to prioritize them for future work.

As temporary, part-time staff the University, SPs are eligible for paid sick leave at the rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. SPs must be employed for 6 months before this goes into effect. SPs may only be compensated for paid time off if they miss an assignment for which they were already scheduled.

Compensation

SPs are paid weekly through Direct Deposit. As part-time, temporary staff, SPs must complete a W4 and an I-9 before receiving pay; taxes will be deducted. New SPs' direct deposit information will not be processed until they have completed all onboarding tasks, including both parts of I-9. Until then, paper paychecks will be issued. SPs are paid $23 per hour for both training and performances.

Timesheets must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday on SPMS to receive pay the next Friday. Initial setup of direct deposit for new hires may take an extra week. After the first paycheck, a normal pay schedule will follow.

Breaks

SPs are given breaks throughout their workday. SPs should bring reading materials to enjoy between students and on breaks.

We provide light snacks (e.g., fruit, granola bars) and lunch for longer assignments, such as when SPs aren't permitted to leave the building during exam days. Coffee is available at JMEC. Sometimes, coffee is provided at the Sim Center (1800 Lombard), depending on the start time and length of day. We encourage SPs to bring their own from home or to purchase in the cafe if they have special dietary needs or preferences.

Quality Assurance

For some programs, SPs monitor other SPs assigned to the same case as a form of quality assurance for the SP program. SPs will fill out a monitoring form which is a checklist for that case recorded in live time. SPs may also fill out a quality assurance form on the performing SP.

SP Program Staff or a Program Assistant also observe SPs during performances for quality assurance. This may be done over a video monitor (during recorded performances) or in the room during non-recorded performances.

Anonymity

We ask SPs not to share with learners or faculty any personal information about themselves--for example, other types of work they do while not working here, how long they've been an SP or any other pieces of information that may be of interest. This is to preserve SPs' anonymity and maintain professional boundaries. SP responses to personal questions should always be polite.

Benefits

Payscale

We pay $23 per hour for both trainings and performances.  Taxes are deducted. We pay a minimum of 2 hours of work every time SPs come for a training or performance. 

Parking

We cover parking at the Rittenhouse location, but not at the Jordan Medical Education Center (JMEC).

Gyms, Libraries and Transportation

SPs are “temporary occasional” employees of the University of Pennsylvania.  They are eligible to acquire a PennCard, which entitles them to use the recreational facilities and libraries on campus and to use the Penn Shuttle transportation and LUCY bus free of charge.

Direct deposit

SPs receive their pay via direct deposit.

Flexible work

SP work is project-based. A minimum number of hours is not guaranteed. We aim to give plenty of advance notice for performances and trainings so that SPs can schedule other work around us. 

What is a Standardized Patient?

A standardized patient (SP) is a person trained to portray a patient scenario for the instruction, practice and assessment of the examining, diagnostic, and interpersonal skills of medical students, fellows, residents and other health care professionals. In the health and medical sciences, SPs are used to provide a safe and supportive environment conducive for learning and for standardized assessment. As SP can also be an actual patient who uses their own history and physical exam findings for educational purposes. Sometimes SPs are used to play the part of a medical student, resident or some other non-patient role. 

Would I work exclusively with medical students?

Since its inception in 1997, the SP Program at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has been expanding yearly to support all levels of medical education. SP methodology is becoming more common not only in the areas of undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education, but also in other health disciplines and beyond healthcare. The Penn Med SP Program is a valued training partner to the Schools of Nursing, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Social Work and others.

How often would I work?

It varies. We have some programs that consist of three to four hours of training plus one two-hour performance. Some programs have three to six hours of training, and one or two eight-hour performances. Some programs perform every Wednesday or Thursday for several months. When we call or email and ask you to participate in one of our programs, we will provide details about the case format and about training and performance times.

Are physical exams by medical students invasive?

You will never be asked to undergo a breast, pelvic, rectal or genital exam. Things that might be done include, but are not limited to, having your eyes and ears looked in, and your heart examined through touch and listening with a stethoscope. Again, if you are not comfortable with this, let us know. It doesn't mean we won't use you; it just means we won't use you for medical exams.

Will I need to be undressed?

Some of our cases require SPs to be in hospital gowns. SPs wear appropriate undergarments to ensure breasts and genitals remain covered during the session. We invite you to bring your own robe to wear over your gown while you are not being examined. We train you in appropriate draping so you can protect your modesty while you are bieng examined. If you are not comfortable appearing in a hospital gown, let us know and we will only contact you for cases that do not require wearing a gown.

Will my performance be videotaped?

Many of our performances are videotaped. Members of Actor's unions (AEA, SAG of AFTRA) should know that there is usually no conflict with union rules, as tapes are for educational purposes only. Many other programs, such as those done in small groups, are not videotaped.