About Strategic Operations, Inc.

Since 2002, Strategic Operations, Inc. (STOPS) has been providing training services and products for the military, law enforcement, first responders, and other organizations responsible for Homeland Security. STOPS is committed to excellence through state-of-the-art live action training support – employing “Hollywood” style special effects, role players, props of all kinds, 3D targets, the re-locatable habitat unit (RHU), and the conversion of shipping containers to create immersive training environments that are the most unique in the industry.

STOPS calls this type of immersion training - Hyper-Realistic® and defines it as “such a high degree of fidelity in the replication of specific conditions in a training environment that participants so willingly suspend disbelief that they become totally immersed and eventually stress inoculated” - all their senses tell them, emotionally and intellectually, that the scenarios are real. It is the ultimate in Theater Immersion Training.

STOPS continues to introduce innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of limited budgets. We are adept at creating real-life training situations/environments or providing safe, sound, and reliable housing for disaster response.

Summary

A Standardized Patient (SP) is a specialized role player, a person who can accurately and consistently recreate the history, personality, physical finding, emotional structure, and response patterns of an actual patient.  The SP participates in the teaching and assessment of undergraduate medical students, medical residents, nurses, and allied health care professionals (learners) during Medical Simulation training.  The SP is a person, age 18 or greater, trained to act out the role of a patient, family member, or other individual to allow “learners” to practice physical exams (non-invasive), history taking skills, communications skills, and other important clinical skills required by Healthcare Providers.  The SP must be able to accurately portray a specific scenario for which the learners will perform a brief interview and/or a focused medical case.  An SP may also be required to provide constructive feedback regarding the learner’s performance.

Job Duties

Specific duties will take place at Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital), the STOPS Tactical Training Laboratory in San Diego, CA, or another location at the direction of the client.  Individuals must be able to follow the direction of the Lead Evaluator/Instructor during training scenarios.   

• The SP will present scenarios in a standardized manner, as instructed by the Lead Evaluator/Instructor and/or as elicited by the learner during simulated interactive patient history and/or a medical case.
• The SP will remain in a specific “character” when responding to the learner’s questions.
• The SP must accurately remember encounters with learners for the purpose of providing feedback on learner performance.
• The SP may be recorded or videotaped during the simulation.
• The SP must respect the privacy of the learners and hold in confidence all information obtained during a scenario/case.
• The SP will perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• The SP may from time to time be required to perform the duties of a general or casualty actor/role player.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required  

• Ability to play a required role and act convincingly while maintaining the specified character – through body language, emotions, personality, and physical findings.
• Ability to understand, follow directions, and provide feedback – after action report.
• Ability to recall and accurately relay learner’s performance to the Lead Evaluator/Instructor.
• The individual must have a professional demeanor.
• Must enjoy working with people and understand the importance of the position.     

Qualifications   

• The ability to, read, write, and speak English is required.  
• Prior role-playing experience with military, law enforcement, and first responders/medical providers is preferred, but not necessary. 
• SPs are assigned based on experience and specific demographic requirements.
• Extensive experience is not necessary, perspective individuals will be training on the various components of working as an SP.