UNIVERSITY CLINICAL SKILLS AND SIMULATION CENTER
OF
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
DORRANCE HAMILTON BUILDING
1001 LOCUST STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107
STANDARDIZED PATIENT MANUAL
January 26, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PERSONNEL AND CONTACT INFORMATION
PAGE 1
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS
PAGE 2
TRAINING
PAGE 2
CHECKLISTS AND COMPUTERS
PAGE 3
THE SESSION OR PERFORMANCE DAY
PAGE 3-4
BEING AN ALTERNATE
PAGE 4
IN THE EXAM ROOM – STUDENT ENCOUNTER PAGE 4-5
IN THE EXAM ROOM- ETIQUETTE
PAGE 5
CONFIDENTIALITY
PAGE 6
SCHEDULING
PAGE 6
PAYROLL
PAGE 7
WE WILL NOT CALL IF…
PAGE 7-8
EXPECTATIONS
PAGE 8-9
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CENTER PERSONNEL
Katherine Berg, M.D.
Co-Director
Dale Berg, M.D.
Co-Director
Carol Trent
Director of Operations
Joseph Majdan, M.D.
Director, Professional Development (JMC)
Marilyn Coates-Bradley
Education Coordinator
marilyn.coates-bradley@jefferson.edu
Rob Hargraves
Standardized Patient Trainer
215-503-8688
robert.x.hargraves@jefferson.edu
Samuel Duncan
Simulation Program Coordinator
215-503-4232
samuel.duncan@jefferson.edu
Judith Veloski
Standardized Patient Trainer
215-955-8537
judith.veloski@jefferson.edu
Albert Gotto
Standardized Patient Trainer
James Day
Simulation Program Coordinator
215-503-7782
james.day@jefferson.edu
215-503-8686
albert.x.gotto@jefferson.edu
Gospel Porquez
Administrative Coordinator
Susan McCloskey
Clerk
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PROGRAMS THAT USE STANDARDIZED PATIENTS or
What am I going to be asked to do now that I am an SP?
Standardized Patients are used in many ways in the education of
health professionals. We work with students of the Jefferson Medical College
(JMC), the Jefferson School of Health Professions, the Jefferson School of
Nursing, and the Jefferson School of Pharmacy. The students we teach and
evaluate are medical students at all levels, occupational and physical therapy
students, pharmacy students and nursing students.

All standardized patient encounters are noninvasive, in
other words, no needles, tubes or scalpels are
involved. Breast, Pelvic and Rectal exams cannot be
done without your specific written consent.

Most of your encounters will fall into two categories,
either teaching or assessment. In a teaching session
students may be learning communication skills or physical maneuvers.
You will be trained so that you may assist them in learning, and provide
feedback on their skills. Assessment sessions will involve you staying in
character as a patient (sometimes a caregiver or family member, student
or health care worker) and evaluating the learner by filling in a checklist.
TRAINING

Most sessions or programs require you to attend training. You must attend
the training to perform in the program.

The training session will provide you with the following information:
1. Whether this is teaching or assessment
2. The type of student you will be seeing
3. The “case” materials which include the medical and personal facts
about the patient you are to portray.
4. A clear understanding of the CHECKLIST, if this is an assessment
session.
5. A presentation on feedback, if the session requires you to give
feedback to the student.
 If at the end of the training you do not feel prepared to perform in that
session, talk with the trainer. Do NOT wait until the day of the session to
ask questions. You can contact the trainer by voice or email 24/7!
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CHECKLISTS and COMPUTERS

To perform in an assessment session you must have
basic computer skills. You need to be comfortable using
a mouse.

If you need training on our computer assessment system, you must let the
trainer know at the time of training. Do not ask for detailed instruction the
day of the session!

If you have computer problems during a session, contact the trainer by
using the in room intercom system. Ask for instructions on how to use it
during your training, NOT on the day of the session. You should begin to
fill out a paper checklist while you are waiting for help.

It is as important to understand and know the checklist as it is to act out
your case accurately. The questions on the checklist tell you what patient
information you may not tell the student UNLESS THEY ASK! The
checklist tells you what physical exam maneuvers you should expect the
student to perform and what you need to know in order to react to them.
Make sure that you understand the checklist items during training time, or
contact the trainer before the day of the session.
COMPUTERS ARE TO BE USED FOR ASSESSMENT ONLY, NOT FOR
PERSONAL USE. THIS IS UNIVERSITY POLICY!
THE SESSION

You will be told to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the session formally
starts. This is paid time that is to be used to prepare
yourself, and familiarize yourself with the room. We
have built this time into your schedule and expect you
to be ON TIME. If you consistently arrive late, even if it is
before the 1st student encounter, this will be grounds for
dismissal from our program. Your trainer can be reached by voicemail
ANY TIME, if you are running late and need to give us a “heads up”.

Make sure that you have a folder in the room with paper checklists (in
case of a computer meltdown) and a schedule with student names. Put
this folder out of sight before the student comes in the room. Cover or turn
off the computer monitor while the student is in the room.
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
Breaks and time for lunch may be built into a session. You may not leave
your room as long as there are students in the hallway. You may use the
SP lounge during this time as long as you are back in your room before
the next student encounter. We request that you bring your lunch, or
snack, and that you do not leave the building during this time.

A student assigned to your room doesn’t show up. You see the NO SHOW
tab on the computer beside the student’s name. NEVER “NO SHOW” A
STUDENT. The trainer is the only person who should make that decision.

The wrong student comes into your room. If the encounter is an exam,
stay in character and perform as trained. Afterward, fill out a paper
checklist and put the encounter # and student name on it. Use the
intercom in the room to inform the trainer.

You don’t have a student scheduled for the last encounter of the day. DO
NOT assume that you may leave early. You are scheduled for and you
committed to a certain amount of time. You may not leave before the end
of the entire session without the consent of the trainer running the
program.
ALTERNATES

Some sessions will require you to be an alternate. If every SP is
present you will be assigned
o to do QA. You will evaluate the student on paper while watching
live video.
o to be a hall monitor. Help students find their rooms and report
computer problems outside the room.
o some other task that the trainer will instruct you in.

Do NOT ask to be an alternate because you are too sick or have a
physical injury that makes you unable to perform the encounter. The
principal job of the alternate is to step in the room and PERFORM if
necessary.
IN THE EXAM ROOM – STUDENT ENCOUNTER

The focus of the encounter is the student, and how that student relates
to the patient as described in the case. Jewelry and make-up should
be at a minimum, unless they are called for as props in a case. Any
personal mannerisms and accoutrements can be a distraction to the
students. You need to be a neutral slate upon which the patient of the
case is transposed.
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
During the student encounter you may wear ONE GOWN only. You
may use ONE SHEET only, which will be folded on the stool to be
used as a drape. We will no longer be providing unlimited linen; you
will be given two gowns that you will keep, wash and bring back as
needed. Bring a bathrobe or sweater to wear between students.

We are trying to make the encounter as real as possible for the
student. The exam room shouldn’t look like you
have been living in it all day. Keep your personal
belongings stashed below the sink during the
encounter.

Don’t act like the “professional” patient. Do not prompt the student to
pull out the footrest, offer your arm before he asks to take your blood
pressure. REMEMBER that you are supposed to be UNFAMILIAR with
your surroundings.

Leave the supply cabinet door open. The students need to see
the door sign and find the equipment they need.
IN THE EXAM ROOM –ETIQUETTE

Video cameras and microphones are on 24/7
o No cell phone use in the exam room! Make your calls during the
break.
o No comments or telltale facial expressions after the student leaves
the room. The video of the encounter may be given to the student
or faculty and could be grounds for your dismissal if this behavior is
apparent.

Exam tables are to be covered with exam table paper! Do not put a
sheet on the exam table. Hospital beds are to have a fitted sheet only.
One sheet for the drape is all you need.

ALL TRASH, including bottles of water,
newspapers,etc should be placed in the white
trash can before leaving!

The exam room is not your home, but a temporary
“stage” upon which you perform. Respect it and leave it as you found
it. Pull down clean paper on the exam table and discard the soiled
paper.

Put your sheet in the linen hamper and take your gown home.
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CONFIDENTIALITY

Respect the student’s privacy and do not discuss their performance with
anyone other than the trainer, faculty or Director of Operations. (students
should not be the topic of break room discussion)

Our cases are developed for the use of the UCSSC only! We allow you to
take them home so that you can review and work on your performance.
They are not to be shared with anyone outside of the UCSSC. We ask you
not to discuss your case or performance with anyone outside of the
UCSSC.
SCHEDULING or when do I get to work?

SP’s are chosen the way actors are cast in a play. Many things are
considered.
o High stakes exams or a higher level of student may require a more
experienced SP.
o Age, race, gender and certain physical characteristics may be
specified in the case.
o Faculty may request a certain SP, or request that a SP not be used.
o Past experience/training in a particular case.
o Development of skills. We may assign you to a particular program
so that you can learn a new set of skills.
o Ability to give feedback to the student.

When we contact you about your availability for a program:
o This is not a confirmation. You must get back to us promptly
to let us know that you want to perform in this program. IF
the slot has not already been filled, you will be assigned and
will receive a confirmation by email.
o Your confirmation will include the training date and time;
dates, time and name of
program, and name of the
trainer. YOU MUST put this
information on your calendar!
ANY COMUNICATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR DATES MUST
BE WITH THE DESIGNATED TRAINER!!!
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GETTING PAID

Jefferson issues paychecks biweekly. You may arrange for direct deposit
through Payroll.

When you arrive for a training or session you need to sign in.
o PRINT your name on the sign in sheet and the hours to which you
committed. If you arrive late, put the actual time you arrived.

The UCSSC uses an electronic system to track your hours, by reading the
magnetic stripe on your Jefferson ID badge. There are time clocks near
the 3rd and 4th floor SP lounges where you will swipe your badge at the
time which your program is to begin. Your name will appear and a green
light will flash. If the clock does not appear to recognize your badge, DO
NOT swipe again, but contact Marilyn Bradley or your trainer for the
program. You will swipe out again at the end of the program.
o You must bring your ID badge to each session you perform and you
must remember to swipe in and out. Otherwise you WILL NOT get
paid. Forgetting your ID badge or forgetting to swipe on a consistent
basis may be grounds for your dismissal.
o Questions regarding paychecks should be directed by email to
Samuel.Duncan@jefferson.edu
Marilyn.Coates-Bradley@jefferson.edu.

Remember- You are not guaranteed a certain # of hours.
We will call you if we have work available for which you are
suited.
THE TOP REASONS WE WILL NOT CALL YOU
1. You miss a training or session without notifying the Center in some
way.
2. You are repeatedly late for training and/or sessions.
3. You act inappropriately in any way with a student.
4. You contact or in anyway socialize with students.
5. You breach our expectations of confidentiality.
6. You cancel a session at Jefferson in order to take an assignment
elsewhere.
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7. Your bookings overlap and so you ask to be excused early OR excuse
your lateness because you were working somewhere else.
8. You fail to accept the authority of the faculty, Director of Operations,
trainer or staff member during a training or session.
a. You inject material into a case that influences the student’s
performance negatively.
b. You evaluate students or teach students according to another
institution’s criteria.
c. You consistently challenge the trainer or faculty and the material
they present to you.
OUR EXPECTATIONS OF YOU
Professionalism

You will attend all trainings and program sessions that you have
committed to.

If unable to attend a training or session, you will contact the trainer AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.

You will always arrive on time.

You will portray your role as trained, and according to Jefferson standards.

When necessary, you will provide honest and objective feedback, as
trained.

You will avoid contact with students “out of role”
Confidentiality

You will not discuss student performance or appearance with anyone but
faculty, the trainer or the Director of Operations.

You will not discuss your roles here, or share case material with anyone
outside of the UCSSC

You will keep secure any case material and use it only to review before
performances.
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YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

To be treated with respect and consideration by the UCSSC staff and
students.

The right to refuse a role that is uncomfortable for you.

The understanding that true emergencies do occur and not be penalized
when they happen.

To get feedback from the trainer and to be instructed as to how you can
improve.
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