Simulation Participants in Medical Education

We welcome people from all backgrounds and age groups.

Ideal SPs are people who:

• Are reliable and punctual
• Can follow a script or scenario
• Are comfortable interacting with students
• Can provide constructive feedback

Simulated Participants may be asked to:

• Portray a patient with a specific medical history, condition, or presenting concern
• Portray an emotional response when required (e.g., surprise, anger, sadness)
• Take part in consultation or communication skills scenarios
• Participate in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
• Provide structured verbal or written feedback to students after a scenario
• Occasionally repeat a scenario across multiple student rotations in the same session

Benefits at a glance:

• Contribute to the education of doctors who will serve the NT
• Flexible casual work — sessions are scheduled around your availability
• Paid participation (rates confirmed per CDU casual pay guidelines)
• Comprehensive training provided — no prior experience needed
• Be part of a supportive, professional team

Help make medical education more culturally safe and inclusive

To become an SP, you must:

• Have good spoken English communication skills
• Be comfortable participating in simulated medical consultations
• Be able to attend and complete SP orientation training
• Hold (or be willing to apply for) a National Police Check and Working with Children Check 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You do not need medical knowledge or performance experience. Ideal SPs tend to be:

All Simulation Patients receive training, including:

• Understanding clinical scenarios
• Portraying patient emotions and symptoms
• Giving structured feedback to students
• Maintaining confidentiality

Training sessions are conducted by the Simulation Team at Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus, Blue 8.

No. We provide all the training you need. The most important qualities are reliability, good communication, and a willingness to engage with students in a supportive way.

Yes. SPs are paid for their time in accordance with CDU's casual employment guidelines. Payment rates and timesheet processes will be explained at orientation. 

salary-guide.pdfCasual Employee HEW3 Level 5

Scenarios cover a wide range of clinical situations — from routine consultations to more complex or emotionally sensitive presentations. You will receive the scenario details in advance, and you can raise any concerns with the Simulation Team before committing to a session.

Booking frequency depends on the teaching schedule and your stated availability. Some SPs participate in multiple sessions per semester; others may be booked less frequently. You will only be confirmed for sessions when your availability matches.

Please contact the Simulation Team as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a confirmed session. We understand that circumstances change — however, reliable attendance is important for session planning and student assessment.

Some activities may involve limited physical contact or examination, such as having your head, neck, arms, legs or abdomen examined. You may also be asked to adjust or remove an outer item of clothing to expose a non-intimate area—for example, raising your shirt slightly for an abdominal ultrasound. Appropriate privacy and draping will always be provided.

You will be given clear information about what the activity involves before agreeing to participate. You can decline any activity that you are not comfortable with, including for personal, cultural or religious reasons, without affecting your opportunity to participate in other sessions.

Simulation participants at CDU will not be asked to undergo intimate examinations involving the breasts or genitals, internal examinations, painful examinations, or invasive procedures such as injections or blood collection.

Sessions are held at the CDU Casuarina Campus, Blue 8 Clinical Simulation Facilities. Specific location details will be provided in your session confirmation.