Post Title: Simulated Patient/Role Player

1

Job description for Simulated Patients

Post Title: Simulated Patient/Role Player

Reports to: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer

Location: Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences and local healthcare providers

JOB PURPOSE: To simulate a patient, carer or colleague to facilitate the teaching and learning of essential skills within the Faculty of Health, education and Life Sciences and for local healthcare providers.

• No formal qualification essential but applicants need to demonstrate experience of using drama skills.

• Relevant previous acting and/or simulator experience.
• Previous experience of simulating patients, carers and colleagues in healthcare not essential but desirable.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Preparing self for simulations/acting
• Ability to recognise own limitations if personal circumstance may affect performance.

• Approachable and flexible
• Trustworthy

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review aims and objectives of the simulation session including any patient scenarios and background information if required.
• Prepare for the planned activity and/or simulation as required in the teaching and learning session.
• Arrive punctually for session at the time arranged or as negotiated with the Senior Lecturer or Lecturer.
• Inform session coordinator giving as much notice as possible if unable to attend.
• Undertake the role of a patient/relative in a fictional patient (pre-prepared and detailed) patient scenario to enable students to practice and develop communication and interpersonal skills within a teaching and learning session.
• To develop role play within the scenario in real time as the interaction develops between the student and the simulated patient, carer or colleague.
• Give constructive feedback to students regarding their communication and interpersonal skills according to the effect on the patient played by the simulated patient/role player
• Give constructive feedback to the students following the simulation and during debrief/reflection activity.
• To receive feedback and negotiate scenario playing levels i.e. the level of difficulty, with the session facilitator/s being sensitive to the varying levels of student ability.
• To highlight any scenarios which may be emotionally difficult due to personal circumstances in the short or longer term allowing adaptations to be made if feasible that will not disadvantage the students or the session learning outcomes.
• Adhere to the University’s Equal Opportunity, Health and Safety and other policies.

ESSENTIAL

• Professional attitude and respect for confidentiality

• Ability to portray a range of patients, carers and clinical colleagues from across diverse groups (e.g. learning disability, mental health, older adult).

• Good improvisational skills
• Willingness to learn and improve
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Reliable and analytical memory
• Flexibility, adaptability and punctuality (working hours)
• Attended a Birmingham City University Role Player Training Programme or have attended a similar programme at a recognised organisation e.g. another University or teaching institution.

DESIRABLE

• Experience/understanding of interactive drama based learning and teaching methodology
• Experience/understanding of nurse/health education

Our students are encouraged to develop professional attitudes therefore it is essential that you as a simulated patient/role player have a professional attitude too.

Confidentiality must be respected in all the simulation activities and an awareness of the effect your role playing on the student is vital.

We are also committed to ensure our actor/role players have opportunity to debrief after sessions and to opt out if needed if content could potentially cause emotional distress to the actor/role player if at any time personal circumstances are similar to content.