University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Center For Advancing Professional Excellence

Job Title: Standardized Patient Clinical Educator (SP) II

Position #: 00001080 - Requisition #: 39655

Job Summary:

Nature of Work:

This is a PART-TIME AS NEEDED hourly University Staff (unclassified) position. We are located at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE). CAPE provides modern medical simulation education that incorporates clinical scenarios, clinical instructors, mannequins of varying degrees of fidelity, and learners at any level of training into a robust teaching and learning environment. The CAPE is comprised of 14 full-time team members and over 80 part-time standardized patients and teaching associates.

The Standardized Patient Clinical Educator (SP) II is a trained individual who can accurately and consistently portray the history, personality, physical findings, emotions, structure, and response pattern of an actual patient, family member, health care provider, or needed role of a particular point in time. SPs are used to train future doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. The SP II will also be asked to complete checklists and evaluations on learners’ performance, as needed, and give appropriate feedback to learners regarding their performance. SPs will often be physically examined by learners and faculty as part of the learning experience. SPs need to be standardized in how they portray the patient so every learner will get the same portrayal.

CAPE works with health care workers to provide patient-centered care. We are here to help present and future healthcare providers remember that the patient has a story and a perspective that needs to be heard.  The value of working with an SP is to give the learner an opportunity to practice in a safe setting before working with their own patients.

This is an as-needed position, so weekly hours are not promised or guaranteed. We do ask that you commit to at least 15 hours a quarter. For more information and before applying, we ask that you look at our website https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/cape.

Work Schedule: This is a part-time role, but due to our thorough interview and onboarding process, we are looking for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful commitment.

Applicants must be flexible with scheduling and assignments. Most events at CAPE take place Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

To remain in good standing, team members are expected to commit to either 15 hours per quarter or participate in at least three events from start to finish within a calendar year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Portray appropriate symptoms and/or emotion(s).

• Accurately complete required checklists.

• Provide learners with specific, accurate, unbiased feedback on communication skills and instruct them on ways to build a positive patient-provider relationship.

• Consistently give a correct opening statement without embellishments or omissions.

• Respond only with information in the script or information discussed in training.

• Actively participating in required training and mock sessions.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO. We do hold events at our campus in Fort Collins, CO. You may apply for this position and make us aware in the interview that you would like to work in the Fort Collins location.

Why Join Us:

The CAPE is a national and international centerpiece of educational and assessment innovation, located at the Anschutz Medical Campus. At the core of the CAPE’s work is a dedication to and a passion for producing humanistic and scientifically grounded health professionals, using innovative methods to educate and assess the essential skills needed by these professionals to serve the citizens of Colorado and beyond. The CAPE also conducts research on the nature and quality of communication between health care professionals and patients, physical examination teaching and learning, high fidelity simulation, and other topics. 

Please note that this position is part-time and as-needed and does not include health benefits. However, you will accrue sick leave, vacation time, and holiday pay.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of work experience in the occupational field or specialized subject area of the work assigned to the job. Relevant fields include: Performing Arts, Theater, Nursing, Patient Care, Clinical/Medical Research, Medical Simulation, coaching, education, or closely related assignments.

• Substitution: College or university coursework, related to the work assignment, may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Bonafide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ): The available work in the CAPE for Standardized Patient positions is based upon curriculum, supplying a realistic educational experience that produces qualified health professionals and real-life patient populations. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the diversity of our academic community. The CAPE may occasionally need to filter applicants for these positions based on the demographic of the applicant, in order to meet the needs of specific health case scenarios. For example, only women can be booked for obstetrics and gynecology cases. For this reason, applicants must identify whether they are male or female at the time of application.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must have access to regular use of a computer with internet access.

• Must be willing and able to work part-time, with sporadic work schedules, as well as non-guaranteed work hours.

• Must be willing and able to work at least 15 hours per quarter.

• Must be willing and able to attend project-related training and mock sessions.

• Must be willing and able to fully portray and/or simulate medical case scenarios physically and mentally.

• Must be willing and able to travel on short notice to various off-site locations as needed and/or as requested.

• Must be willing and able to subject to personal physical examinations as they pertain to the necessary job duties of the position, including but not limited to: abdominal exams, chest exams (heart, lungs), knee exams, musculoskeletal exams, neurological exams, etc.

• Must be willing and able to work during the following busy periods each year:

  • February through May (trainings begin in January)

  • September through December (trainings begin in August)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in a similar position, portraying health-related case scenarios for educational purposes.

• Experience teaching or training in an academic medical and/or clinical research environment.

• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of basic medical terminology.

• Experience completing complex checklists accurately and consistently.

• Experience using Microsoft Office and/or similar computer applications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work well with a variety of people, including members of the Center, faculty, staff, students, proctors, teaching associates, and clinical educators.

• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with a variety of people, including faculty, staff, students, and clinical educators.

• Ability to work effectively on multiple tasks.

• Ability to be well organized in all work aspects.

• Ability to work proactively on projects and tasks, anticipating project, client, and team needs for success.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

• Capacity for flexibility and adaptability in different work situations.

• Ability to memorize large amounts of information, repeat it back, and answer related questions.

• Computer skills, including the ability to learn and then work with the following programs: Education Management Solution Software and Microsoft Office, Word, and Outlook.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or similar computer applications.

• Demonstrated computer literacy with MAC or PC programs.

• Ability to memorize large amounts of information, repeat it back, and answer related questions.

• Ability to access and utilize online scheduling software to sign up for projects.

• Ability to independently track schedule and number of hours worked using an electronic tracking system.

• Demonstrated ability to receive ongoing feedback from an SP Educator and/or Faculty Member and modify behaviors accordingly.

• Demonstrated ability to be trained and instructed, as well as willingness to work cooperatively with learners, other SPCE’s, faculty, and staff.

• Demonstrated flexibility and reliability with scheduling and assignments.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Dependability and punctuality with event assignments and email responsiveness

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to easily establish rapport with a wide variety of individuals.

• Demonstrated ability to accurately portray all aspects of a case scenario as trained, including history of current problem, affect/behavior, and physical findings.

• Flexibility and reliability with scheduling and assignments.

• Willingness and ability to subject to personal physical examinations as they pertain to the necessary job duties of the position.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address.

Questions should be directed to: Melissa Giardina, melissa.giardina@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply within two (2) weeks of the posting date.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting hourly range for this position has been established at $21 per hour.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.