The Simulation Training & Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Simulation Education Specialist
About the Opportunity
Serves as a Simulation Specialists in the Health Sciences Center simulation center (STEPS) by programming, testing and running scenarios with faculty instructors. Provides faculty with instructional tools and technical support to carry out simulation sessions. Also, will be required to instruct students utilizing simulation modalities.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
- Wellness programs
What You'll Do
Policy/ Procedural Development and Implementation
- Designs innovative ideas to improve the technology and development of the Center; develops innovative strategies to enhance programs and services.
- Assists with the strategic oversight, planning, and goal setting for STEPS education programs; essential contributor in the strategic planning process to develop broad goals and objectives for the Center.
- Collaborates with management and faculty in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of new courses, scenarios, and simulation tools. Assists instructors to develop and establish goals and objectives and to implement educational programs.
- Collaborates with management in the development and maintenance of documentation related to Center Accreditation
- Works in collaboration with STEPS Leadership in the development and ongoing maintenance of Policy and Procedure Manual, Orientation Manual and other administrative documents as required.
Program Management
- Plans, coordinates, teaches and evaluates varied educational courses. As requested, teaches sessions for the schools within WVUHSC and affiliates (WVU Medicine, WVJC, etc.).
- Actively participates in student instruction in all programs as necessary, to include, but not limited to: Basic and Advanced Airway Workshops, IV Workshops and other curricular workshops. Obtains additional education in order to cover materials of curriculum required to teach.
- Conducts or assists in conducting debriefing sessions.
- Performs needs assessment independently or in conjunction with other faculty members to assist in developing future educational programs.
- Writes or assists in writing educational objectives for new programs and reviews or participates in the review of existing programs.
- In conjunction with Assistant Director of Education, develops educational programs and assists outside faculty in program development.
- In conjunction with Assistant Director of Education, develops and implements evaluation tools and participates in active quality improvement.
- Assists Standardized Patient educator with coordinating activities within SP program, and when appropriate assists in training of standardized patients.
- Other educational duties as assigned.
Operational
- Serves as simulator operator by programming, testing and running scenarios with faculty instructors, assuring that the facility and equipment are set up for teaching sessions.
- Provides faculty with instructional tools and technical support to carry out simulator sessions, including setting up simulator and room, preparing educational materials for the course, and collecting feedback from students.
- Independently, or as part of a team, assists students in the utilization of simulation equipment, providing an appropriate orientation to simulator features and the simulated learning environment.
- Ensures that the Simulation Center is maintained as a clean, safe, and operational facility and as an optimal learning environment.
o Ensures for the procurement and maintenance of supplies and other disposable and non-disposable items including the gasses necessary for the operation of the Center.
o Ensures appropriate set-up and cleaning of rooms for training sessions and meetings.
o Ensures the simulators are in good working condition prior to the start of all simulations.
o Operates and programs simulator equipment for educational sessions. Role-plays as needed for simulated cases.
o Monitors simulated exercises and provides, retrieves, summarizes and analyses student evaluation forms/critiques.
o Solicits instructor and student feedback following simulation experiences in order to analyze the impact of simulation on the learning process.
- Conducts tours of the Simulation Center and demonstrates equipment to new users and visitors.
- Actively participates on assigned committees.
- Maintains data confidentiality and security.
- Maintains proficiency in existing and emerging technologies ranging from anatomic models and task trainers to screen-based simulation to full body patient simulator and virtual reality surgical simulators.
- Participate in technical training as necessary; attend conferences to stay current with simulation technology.
- Monitors and assists with daily operations of the Center and other special projects or initiatives.
- Create innovative ideas, evaluate new equipment, and identify opportunities for technology improvement and integration into healthcare education.
- Communicate in a positive, professional manner with faculty instructors, students, and other users of the simulation center.
- Performs other operational duties, as assigned.
Research
- Participates in educational research, writes, publishes and presents research related to simulation education.
- Assists faculty members in designing, performing, and writing educational research
- Mentors faculty through the STEPS’ research process as requested.
- Possess knowledge of Center data collection capabilities and processes.
- Assists with data collection as needed from LearningSpace with the Simulation Information Specialist.
Technical
- Maintains and repairs simulators including replacing parts and returning to manufacturer as required.
- Provides first line support of network hardware and software and communicates needs to in-house or external support as required.
- Provides software support for learning management system software including user management and reporting as well as assisting with development of new educational offerings.
Administrative
- Provides support to the mission and goals of STEPS and reports to the Lead Simulation Specialist
- Ensures the maintenance of all education and training records (simulator use, instructor and student hours, course materials, and evaluations), assuring compliance with accreditation standards.
- Actively serves as liaison with WVU Medicine to enhance systems integration by serving on and participating in appropriate quality assurance committees, as required.
- Assists with maintaining a reference library of simulation articles.
- Compiles educational material and supportive documents and props to enhance teaching sessions.
- Remains up to date with current literature and news in the simulation community.
- Maintains proficiency in simulation and educational technologies and clinical applications, including basic theory, design and implementation.
- Assists with fostering relationships between STEPS and the equipment vendors, community outreaches, and other simulation centers.
- Fosters collaboration with other groups and agencies with similar interests and program missions in order to elevate internal education programs.
- Develops professional working relationships with administrators and healthcare professionals.
- Performs other administrative duties as assigned
Fiscal
- Provides critical input toward the preparation and maintenance of annual budgets.
- Performs other fiscal/financial duties as assigned.
Supervision
- Recruits, trains, and mentors technical staff and other STEPS employees to assure effective maintenance and repair of simulator and clinical equipment.
- Mentors STEPS’ staff, as assigned, in their professional development; provides for their personal growth and assures for a positive, safe working environment.
- Provides assigned staff program guidance and training, and assists in evaluation of Progress.
American Heart Association Course Coordination
- Serves as course coordinator for all American Heart Association (AHA) courses conducted by STEPS
- Serves as liaison to all schools within WVU HSC to schedule and coordinate AHA courses.
- As appropriate, serves as course director for all AHA courses taught in STEPS
- Teaches in all AHA courses presented in STEPS as needed.
- Provides instructor support, including conducting QA/PI, for AHA courses conducted by STEPS.
About WVU
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
