Sick for a living

A position as a standardized patient has opened up — an enjoyable, engaging, professional job that I have six years of experience in. I just applied, and if my fingers were crossed any harder, they'd pop off of my hand.

It's an interesting job. Basically, you're part of an exam for medical students. You're assigned a single role as a patient, with a list of symptoms and entire life story, which you commit to memory. Then the medical student comes in as a general practitioner, examines you, and makes a diagnosis.

A board of actual doctors evaluates the diagnosis, while I evaluate the student's bedside manner, clarity of speech, and professionalism. Typically, they must pass this exam to move on to a residency. It's important work, in my opinion.

At least, that's how it was at the last company. They went under when the pandemic hit. We couldn't stay in small rooms with examinees from all over the planet, for obvious reasons, and my former employer never found a way around the problem.

I'd be more than happy to return to a position like that while I continue my endless parade of pictures with words in them! In the meantime, it's nice to have the seemingly constant worries of this year replaced with some actual hope. o(*°▽°*)o