Reporting to the Standardized Patient Program Manager, the Standardized Patient Educator (SPE) supports the mission, purpose and goals of the UPEI Faculty of Medicine’s Clinical Learning & Simulation Centre (CLSC), and will work collaboratively with leadership, faculty, students and staff across the institution to ensure evidence-based clinical standards and simulation best practices are reflected in all simulation activities.

As a crucial member of the CLSC team, the SPE is responsible for supporting and facilitating simulation-based curriculum delivery in the teaching and assessment activities used in various university and health science student programs. Working collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders, the SPE will apply expertise in experiential education to support the work of the Standardized Patient (SP) Program (SPP) by organizing, implementing, and overseeing the work of Standardized Patients (SPs), including recruitment, training, scheduling, and performing quality assessment of the SPs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate and engage with community organizations to promote awareness of the Standardized Patient (SP) program utilized in assessment and teaching of healthcare learners
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of SPs to meet curriculum needs of various clients
• Deliver initial onboarding training for new SPs, which will cover UPEI policies and procedures for casual staff, SP best practices, modes of SP methodologies applied, and the art and science of providing objective and balanced (verbal and written) feedback to learners, faculty and CLSC staff
• Develop, coordinate and facilitate the training of SPs in all aspects of case portrayal, checklist item recognition, physical exam procedures and exam operations
• Participate in the planning, organization, and implementation of simulation-based curriculum delivery and clinical assessment evaluations, including regular consultations with faculty/clients to plan and execute SP teaching and evaluating sessions
• Oversee and organize room and equipment set up for each class or exam
• Ensure appropriate SP coverage and backup plan for unexpected SP issues
• Monitor SP classroom-based and exam events to ensure consistent case portrayal and accuracy in the documentation of student performance (quality assurance).
• Facilitate debriefing on assigned activities with standardized patients
• Provide on-going feedback to SPs and remediates SP performance based on feedback from faculty and learners
• Understand the importance and rigor of administering Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), and ensure strict timelines are met, student objectives for the session are clear, and that SP case portrayal is accurate and consistent. This will include dry run mock exams, with the SPE serving in the learner role
• Develop, prepare, and update informational training materials for each standardized patient encounter, including case scenarios, checklists, student goals, evaluations, schedules and room assignments
• Provide support for students who work with the standardized patients as part of their training
• Attend and participate in appropriate workshops to stay current on educational theory and practice in the use of simulation and standardized patients in medical education
• Research new program ideas and evaluate feasibility for delivery
• Maintain a working database of clinical cases and standardized patients

QUALIFICATIONS:

• This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in an aligned discipline, for example, teaching, counselling, healthcare, health sciences, social sciences, theatre/performance, and a minimum 3 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills 
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to research, summarize and effectively and accurately present case-based scenario training information to Standardized Patients
• A high degree of emotional maturity, using excellent judgment to maintain a safe environment for learners, SPs, students, staff and faculty
• The ability to exercise adaptability and flexibility in a variety of situations and with diverse stakeholder groups, including SPs, student learners, faculty, and CLSC and Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) staff
• Comfort in demonstrating physical exams and describing invasive procedures 
• Prepared to deliver training and guidance for Teaching Patients, Gynecological Teaching Associates (GTA), Male Urologic Teaching Associates (MUTA) instructors
• Operate and/or assist with all technical and logistical requirements for SP sessions 
• Ability to maintain and uphold a high degree of confidentiality
• Completion of certificate in Simulation Education will be required within one year of hire

ASSETS:

• Experience in simulation-based education and training, use of standardized patients and teaching associate methodologies, evaluation of outcomes, patient safety, and implementation of simulation-based education and training programs 
• Knowledge of medical terminology, and medical conditions
• Awareness of a patient centered approach to health care 
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems
• Experience with regional health authorities