Standardized Patient/Simulation Patient

"East-West University" (Medical School - Simulation Center and Examination Center) is announcing a vacancy for the position of Standardized Patient/Simulation Patient.

Location: Tbilisi

Work schedule: On a session-by-session basis / contract-based;

Remuneration: Payment is made according to the number of each training/test session

Position Overview

The Medical Faculty of East-West University is looking for Standardized Patients (SPs) / Simulation Patients to participate in conducting training sessions and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Prior to the sessions, employees will undergo training to consistently and convincingly portray patients according to a specific medical condition, personal characteristics, and emotional state, as described in a written clinical case scenario.

Standardized patients provide medical students and residents with the opportunity to practice and be assessed in a safe, controlled, and realistic environment in terms of collecting anamnesis, physical examination, communication, and professional ethics. Medical education is not required; complete training according to scenarios will be provided, but it is necessary to memorize the scenario description in detail and have the ability to portray a patient. The age of those who wish to become simulated patients is unlimited.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn and memorize scenarios, including medical history, personal characteristics, emotional state, and specific answers to expected questions.

• Consistently and convincingly embody the patient's role during multiple encounters with different students, providing the same medical history, complaints, and emotional background, as well as consistent physical signs each time.

• Attend all mandatory case preparation and calibration sessions prior to the exam or educational activity to ensure accurate and standardized portrayal.

• Safely and consistently simulate specific physical signs (e.g., limited mobility, painful areas, gait disturbances) as required by the scenario and upon preparation.

• Provide constructive and specific verbal feedback to students on their communication skills and interaction style with the patient, if required.

• Stay in character for the entire duration of each encounter and follow the exam staff's instructions regarding timing and station rotation.

• Immediately report any candidate behavior that poses a risk to safety, professional ethics, or personal boundaries to the simulation/OSCE coordinator.

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding case content, student results, and any personal information shared during sessions.

• Promptly inform the staff of any personal discomfort, fatigue, or need for breaks during the session, especially during physical examination stages.

Qualification requirements

• Formal medical education is not required; prior experience in acting, theater, role-playing, or improvisation will be considered an asset, but is not mandatory.

• Willingness to engage in structured physical contact for specific cases (e.g., abdominal palpation, joint examination); boundaries and limitations will be clearly defined for each case and can be discussed in advance.

• Ability to memorize details and consistently reproduce a scripted role during a single session with multiple encounters.

• Reliability, punctuality, and availability throughout the planned session, which may include several consecutive encounters.

• Willingness to receive feedback and corrections from faculty representatives/coordinators between sessions to maintain standardization.

• Proficiency in the exam language(s) (Georgian and/or English, as applicable).

• Willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement and, if the case involves simulated physical examination, an informed consent form describing the nature of physical contact.

• Applications from candidates of various ages, genders, and backgrounds are encouraged, as cases are designed to reflect a diverse range of patient profiles.

Basic Competencies

• Consistency, accurately reproducing the same portrayal multiple times.

• Attentiveness, accurately noting what each student says and does to complete a checklist correctly.

• Willingness to receive structured feedback and guidance from faculty.

• Maintaining professional boundaries and composure during simulated physical examinations.

• Discretion when handling confidential case and results information.

Work Conditions

Standardized patients work at the University's Clinical Skills Center during pre-scheduled teaching blocks and exam periods, which occur several times throughout the academic year. A session may involve several consecutive student encounters (usually 10-20 minutes each) with the same case portrayal. Hiring is done separately for each session/exam cycle; permanent or annual employment is not guaranteed.

Application Submission

Interested candidates, please send your resume to the following email address and specify the position title in the subject field.

East-West University thanks you for your interest in this vacancy and wishes you success.