Performing Artist

Job Function Summary:

Involves performance, coaching, and directing in any of the fine arts except music or the visual arts (e.g., painting and photography--see Visual Communications), including dance, and acting. Includes text composition, arranging, and choreography.

Generic Scope

Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems / issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Custom Scope

Uses skills, performance concepts, and techniques to act as a patient or other simulated person (family 
member, healthcare provider, etc.) in a variety of simulated clinical scenarios for learners in the health 
professions. Provides specific, clear, supportive verbal and written feedback to learners regarding 
communication skills, patient comfort, and physical exam technique. Recalls what the learner says and 
does during an encounter to report after an encounter. Provides additional support to enhance the learning 
process. This may include monitoring other standardized patients, proof-reading materials, serving as hall 
proctor, making intercom announcements, restocking exam rooms that are used for the simulated clinical 
scenarios, and other duties as assigned. 

Department

The UCSF Fresno Clinical Skills & Simulation Center provides simulation-based training for graduate and 
undergraduate medical student education programs. Simulation is defined as an educational modality with 
which the learner physically interacts to mimic an aspect of clinical care for the purpose of teaching or 
assessment. Activities at the center range from those that use actors (standardized patients), to activities 
with partial task trainers and/or mannequins. UCSF Fresno Clinical Skills & Simulation Center operates 
under the Information Technology Services Department with primary staff to handle the technology needs 
while the Health Education SP Coordinator will manage all aspects of the SP program. 

The UCSF Fresno Clinical Skills & Simulation Center supports UCSF Fresno’s educational mission by 
creating opportunities for teaching, learning, and assessment using simulation as an educational strategy. 
The center provides learning opportunities across the continuum of health professions education.
 

UCSF Fresno is a regional campus of UCSF’s School of Medicine. UCSF Fresno is located in the Central 
San Joaquin Valley and is administered by the Office of the Associate Dean in Fresno. Programs and 
affiliations of the UCSF School of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry are administered by UCSF 
Fresno. UCSF Fresno, offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate training programs. 
 

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health 
worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health 
professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated 
exclusively to the health sciences.

Responsibilities

Standardized Patient Performance

Perform as a standardized patient, family member, or other role by acting out the symptoms, concerns, affect and other characteristics as described in the case materials. This can include roles that are complex or emotionally challenging.

• Employ a wide range of techniques and approaches in the preparation and execution of performance—e.g. memorization, character development work, improvisation, etc.
• Often perform under limited direction.

Learner Assessment and Feedback

Accurately recall learner behavior during an encounter and complete a checklist (written or through computer information system) documenting the learner’s history taking and physical exam.

• Provide written and verbal feedback to learners.

Standardized Patient Mentoring

Mentor and prepare other standardized patients at the intermediate or novice levels.

Physical Exam and Ultrasound Demonstration

Serve as a model for physical exam or ultrasound demonstration and practice.

Other Duties

Other duties as assigned, including hall proctoring, monitoring other standardized patients, making announcements, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Verbal and written communication skills to clearly and effectively convey information to diverse groups of individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize case information and portray characters as described, including portraying a variety of symptoms and/or character affects in a believable manner. These may include headaches, back pain, fatigue, depression, euphoria, shock, grief, etc.
• Interpersonal skills (including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility) to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with staff members, faculty, and students. Ability to follow directions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 1 years’ relevant experience. Experience may be a combination of the following: acting in theatre/film, improvisation, training and giving feedback, working with healthcare learners.
• Computer proficiency for email communication, scheduling, and assessment completion using computer information systems.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and procedures.