Details
1094697
University of Leicester
05/05/2025
3 Months
As required
Casual
Pay
£23.29
£2.81
Description
Role
The University of Leicester is seeking Simulated Patient Actors to support a vital research and educational initiative focused on improving patient safety in gastrointestinal endoscopy. This role forms part of the SCALE ENDO study, a collaborative project designed to enhance healthcare professionals’ communication and interpersonal skills in clinical environments. As a Simulated Patient Actor, you will portray patients or family members in structured scenarios used for training and research purposes. These simulations provide healthcare teams with a realistic environment in which to practise and reflect on their clinical interactions.
It is important to note that no medical procedures will be carried out on you at any time. All physical procedures are performed on specialised training models or mannequins. Your contribution lies in providing the human element to the scenario—acting as the patient or relative before, during, or after a simulated clinical encounter.
Duties and responsibilities
In this role, you will be required to prepare for and perform in realistic clinical simulations, following detailed scenarios provided in advance. Your performance should reflect the character’s persona accurately and consistently throughout each session. During the simulations, you will engage naturally and authentically with healthcare professionals, responding appropriately to their communication styles while maintaining the integrity of the scenario.
Following each session, you will be expected to participate in debriefing discussions, offering constructive feedback to the healthcare team based on your experience of the interaction. This feedback will be delivered from the perspective of the patient or family member you portrayed, and will play a crucial role in supporting the learning process.
You will also be responsible for maintaining accurate records of your participation to support the timely processing of payment. The role will require you to manage your time independently, work under supervision within agreed processes, and use discretion and experience to deliver simulations that are both credible and meaningful.
Skills and experience
To succeed in this role, you will need excellent communication skills, along with the ability to adopt and sustain a persona credibly over extended periods. Strong interpersonal and organisational skills are essential, as is a professional approach characterised by punctuality, reliability, and flexibility. You must be capable of reflecting on your experiences and providing open, balanced, and constructive feedback to a wide range of individuals in a respectful and appropriate manner.
We welcome applications from individuals who have either formal academic or vocational qualifications alongside relevant experience, or those with substantial experience in a comparable setting. Prior experience as a simulated patient actor or in amateur or professional acting is highly desirable but not essential. You should also be confident in interpreting and adhering to guidelines and regulations that support the effective delivery of clinical education and research.
Location
Kettering General Hospital and University Hospitals of Leicester
Additional information
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Informal enquires are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Sam Little – Clinical Research Fellow - sl798@leicester.ac.uk or Dr Mohammad Peerally- Associate Professor – mfp6@leicester.ac.uk
The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.
As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.
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