Standardized Patients - Physician Assistant Program

Position Approval Information

First Section

School/College: School of Health Sciences Department: 0729 - Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Position Title: Other Field of Specialty: Clinical Support Name of Department Chair: Sumit Dinda Expected Hire Date: 01/01/2027

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title: Standardized Patients - Physician Assistant Program Job Description Summary:

Standardized Patients (SPs) are trained individuals who portray patients, family members, or caregivers in a consistent, believable, and repeatable manner for the purpose of teaching and evaluating health-care learners. SPs assist in developing learners' communication, assessment, clinical reasoning, and interpersonal skills by participating in structured clinical encounters in a simulated environment. This role is central to the program's simulation-based instruction and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).

SPs are trained to accurately reproduce an assigned case's history, symptoms, emotional state, behaviors, and physical findings. No prior acting or healthcare experience is required unless specified for a particular activity.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Reliable and punctual; able to commit to scheduled session blocks (sessions may run several hours).
• Strong memory and ability to understand, retain, and consistently reproduce detailed scripted material.
• Comfortable with physical touch involved in clinical examinations (e.g., palpation, use of stethoscope, blood pressure cuff).
• Comfortable with repeated clinical examinations that are non-invasive and trained for safety.
• Comfortable receiving coaching/direction from faculty and modifying portrayal based on feedback.
• Comfortable giving structured feedback to students from the "patient's perspective"
• Professionalism and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications include:

• Prior experience as a standardized/simulated patient, actor, educator, healthcare worker, or clinical simulation participant
• Comfort portraying emotionally complex scenarios (grief, anxiety, chronic illness) when applicable.
• Experience providing constructive, structured feedback

Special Instructions to Applicants: Oakland University Standard Language

Oakland University is a nationally recognized doctoral university of high research activity located on 1,443 acres of scenic land in the cities of Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills in Oakland County, Michigan. The University has 142 bachelor's degree programs and 138 graduate degree and certificate programs. Academics include programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Services, School of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and School of Nursing. As an anchor institution in southeastern Michigan, Oakland University is committed to building ongoing and collaborative relationships with the surrounding communities. Community and civic engagement enhances the lives of our students and has a positive impact on our broader community.

Open Date: 09/02/2026 Open Until Filled: Yes Job Category: Part-time Faculty EEO Statement:

Oakland University is an Equal Opportunity institution.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter