SHIFT:
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
The Simulation Specialist will be responsible for managing and administering simulation methodology and sessions used in the Virtual Education and Simulation (VEST) Center and in clinical areas. The Simulation Specialist will advise and consult with faculty, VEST Center administration, and interdisciplinary partners on best practice for the integration of simulation education.
This role requires experiential knowledge of real-world patient care processes that are developed through nursing practice. The simulation specialist will independently manage simulation sessions, applying anticipatory clinical reasoning to interpret learner actions, predict downstream physiological responses and dynamically adjusts the human patient simulator’s responses to ensure clinical fidelity and support the learning objectives.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Facilitates the use of simulation for education, performance improvement, research, and equipment evaluation
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Stays current in with developments in the field of simulation technology and clinical practice as well as simulation methodologies and learning theory to support high fidelity scenario execution.
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Maintains and updates simulation center’s database to include but not limited to the number of students and facilitators participating in a session
- Develops simulation scenarios in conjunction with department management, coordinators, educators, physicians, nurses, and allied health providers to meet the educational needs of the Christiana Care Health System community
- Manages and directs simulation activities, including independent oversight of scenario flow, timing and clinical progression.
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Assures compliance with regulatory, accreditation and nursing professional standards
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Collects data on the effectiveness of simulation for student learning, critical thinking, and clinical decision making
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Develops and delivers methods to evaluate student and facilitator satisfaction with simulation programs
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Identifies opportunities for improvement, innovation, and development of initiatives for the integration of simulation in clinical education
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Maintains records of learner training according to approved policies
- Provide pre-brief and debrief for facilitators and learners of the principles of simulation training and debriefing techniques
- Collaborates with simulation team and faculty facilitators/educators to:
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Program patient care simulators, prepare scenario props, and create scenario moulage (make-up) to model physiological responses to the clinical and skill objectives
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Set up, operate, and manipulate patient care simulators, related media, and computer equipment
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Explains to learners the use of patient care simulators, related media, and computer equipment that will be used during the simulation scenario
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Assure student compliance with center policies, procedures, and safety standards
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Accurately, sets up, and operates patient care simulators/task trainers, related media and computer equipment. Able to set up simulation environment for complex medical scenarios (examples include ECMO, management of PA catheters and set up of complex surgical procedures).
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Restores simulation rooms to pre-scenario conditions in a timely manner and returns items to their designated areas
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Operates instructional media equipment such as video cameras, multimedia computer systems, and audio/video distribution systems used in the VEST Center
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Supports the short-, immediate, and long-term teaching, research, and revenue-generating goals of the VEST Center
- Supports the development of course curricula. Uses technical knowledge of the VEST Center capabilities and procedures to confirm that curricula are accurate and appropriate
- Administers course curriculum as assigned
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Works as an expert user and trainer of all simulators (high and low fidelity), associated software programs and education management system
- Works in conjunction with the Simulation Technology Specialist to maintain the simulation equipment according to manufacturers' recommendations
- Assists and advises management in areas such as procurement of hardware, software and audio/visual equipment including cost, installation and use, software modification, and user education, training and orientation
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Provides technical recommendations for simulation improvements
- Analyzes and resolves user problems
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Sustains ongoing professional education and development in medical simulation and nursing practice
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Shadows clinical health professionals to maintain medical knowledge base and practice awareness
- Attends one approved simulation conference per year or completes four approved web-based simulation education modules
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Performs assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules and practices; reports to supervisor, in a timely manner, any unsafe activities, conditions, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees, patients and visitors.
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Performs other related duties as required.
SCOPE, PURPOSE, AND FREQUENCY OF CONTACTS:
Frequent contact with VEST Center team, Caregivers including nurse educators, faculty, physicians, medical dental staff, students, multidisciplinary teams, institutional partners, personnel of community and state agencies, suppliers, press, government officials, and the general public
DIRECTION/SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:
Supervises and trains other professional and technical personnel, in selected technical aspects of simulation
DIRECTION/SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Directly reports to the Director, Medical Education
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required, Masters degree preferred
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Active Registered Nurse (RN) required
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Minimum 5 years nursing experience required. High acuity clinical setting (ICU, Emergency Department) experience preferred.
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Experience working in a simulation education environment preferred.
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Experience with operating patient simulation equipment preferred.
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Experience as an ACLS instructor preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:
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Knowledge of current clinical concepts, standards of care and patient safety principles
- Knowledge of Christiana Care and departmental specific standards, procedures, protocols, and policies
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Knowledge of Quality Improvement purpose and process
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Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to mechanical systems, computer use, troubleshooting, and creative development of simulation materials
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Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to leadership, teaching, group dynamics, problem solving, research, coordination of systems, and staff development
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Ability to always communicate effectively, and positively
- Ability to exercise judgement, tact, and diplomacy
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Ability to make decisions and act independently
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Skill in verbal and written communication with co-workers, physicians, nurses, educators, ancillary staff, and external contacts
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Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate multi-disciplinary efforts
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Ability to assess knowledge and developmental needs of course participants
- Ability to perform technical skills and use equipment as outlined in procedures, protocols, and simulations demonstrating use of appropriate safety measures for students, employees, and self
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Ability to prep and handle food grade animal parts
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must obtain the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialists (CHSOS) or Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) within three years from hire date for 1.0 FTE and within 5 years if 0.5 FTE.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Available upon request.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Primarily well-lighted, heated and air-conditioned indoor simulation center.
Occasionally simulation sessions may occur outside the simulation center in whatever environment is being simulated.
Frequent exposure to biological elements with occasional exposure to chemical and environmental elements as per unit.
Hourly Pay Range: $41.28 - $66.05
This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare’s good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.
Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
