Becoming a Standardized Patient

The Clinical Skills Center at Howard University is seeking individuals to train to become Standardized Patients to participate in educational activities for healthcare professionals. A Standardized Patient (SP) is a person who has been carefully coached to simulate an actual patient so accurately that the simulation cannot be detected by a skilled clinician.  In performing the simulation, the SP presents the gestalt of the patient being simulated; not just the history, but the body language, the physical findings, and the emotional and personality characteristics as well.

Individuals interested must

• Demonstrate a commitment to the education of health professionals
• Demonstrate acting skills to accurately portray a patient with a medical illness
• Demonstrate the ability read, comprehend and recall training materials
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to work cooperatively with learners, faculty, and administrators

SPs are hired as needed and are compensated for participation. For more information on becoming a SP, please send an email to Ms. Tamara Owens at ClinicslSKillsCenter@howard.edu or call the Center at 202-865-0063 to schedule an interview.