Statement of Primary Purpose
The Director of Healthcare Simulation provides administrative and operational leadership for simulation activities, including scheduling, budgeting, equipment management, technology integration, quality improvement, and interprofessional simulation. The position also serves as a key liaison between Health Sciences, Information Technology, external healthcare partners, and simulation technology vendors.
The Director of Healthcare Simulation is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and overseeing health sciences simulation teaching and learning activities across simulation and program laboratories. This position provides leadership in the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of simulation based education. The Director will support faculty and staff in the effective use of simulation technology and learning environments, while ensuring simulation operations align with institutional priorities, industry standards, and applicable national accreditation requirements.
Classification
Program Administrator, Full-Time, exempt
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
• Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, administration, healthcare partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide leadership for the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of simulation based learning throughout the Health Sciences Division.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standards, procedures, and best practices for the safe, effective, and efficient operation of simulation laboratories.
• Provide orientation, training, consultation, and ongoing support to Health Sciences faculty and staff regarding simulation technology, equipment, scenarios, and instructional practices.
• Mentor and support faculty, instructors, and staff in the effective use of simulation equipment and technology, including high and low fidelity manikins, healthcare trainers, audio visual systems, cameras, recording systems, and debriefing technology.
• Provide administrative leadership for simulation operations, including strategic planning, goal setting, budgeting, resource allocation, equipment management, and operational assessment.
• Develop and maintain simulation center schedules, policies, procedures, workflows, and usage guidelines.
• Prepare simulation environments and scenarios, including programming patient conditions, testing equipment and technology, preparing supplies and props, and ensuring simulation spaces are appropriately configured.
• Coordinate and support faculty and staff with the development and implementation of simulation activities, competency assessments, practical examinations, and other experiential learning that support course, program, and student learning outcomes.
• Promote and facilitate interprofessional and collaborative simulation learning opportunities across Health Sciences programs.
• Lead institutional efforts related to attaining, maintaining, and continuously improving national simulation accreditation and compliance with applicable standards.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, records, policies, and evidence necessary to support simulation accreditation, quality improvement, and institutional reporting.
• Develop and recommend professional development opportunities to ensure faculty and staff maintain competency in simulation technology, equipment, instructional practices, and emerging simulation methodologies.
• Participate in manufacturer and vendor training related to high fidelity manikins, simulation platforms, software, and other simulation technologies.
• Collaborate with Information Technology to maintain a reliable and effective technological learning environment within simulation facilities, including planning for equipment replacement, software updates, infrastructure needs, and future technology upgrades.
• Evaluate simulation equipment, supplies, technology, and materials and make recommendations regarding acquisition, replacement, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
• Maintain accurate inventories of simulation equipment, supplies, technology, and instructional materials.
• Ensure simulation laboratories are appropriately prepared, organized, safe, and operational for scheduled instructional activities.
• Serve as a representative of the Health Sciences Division by conducting tours and demonstrations of the simulation laboratories for prospective students, families, donors, healthcare partners, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Project SHIFT to support health sciences career exploration, student engagement, recruitment, and experiential learning opportunities for participating middle and high school students.
• Participate in institutional committees, workgroups, professional organizations, and other activities related to simulation education as appropriate.
• Maintain current knowledge of simulation education, emerging technologies, healthcare education trends, accreditation requirements, and industry best practices.
• Attend Health Sciences department meetings, engage with health sciences faculty/staff to remain current with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assist with special projects, initiatives, events, and other division priorities as needed.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Required: Bachelor's degree in health sciences, education, instructional technology, simulation education, or a related field.
Preferred: Master's degree in education, instructional technology, health sciences, healthcare education, simulation education, or a related field preferred.
A combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated knowledge and skills relevant to the position may be considered in lieu of the stated minimum qualifications.
Knowledge and Skills
Minimum of three years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: healthcare education or clinical practice, higher education administration, simulation based education, instructional design or instructional technology, healthcare simulation technology, educational technology, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to :
• Work effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, vendors, and external partners.
• Organize and manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Learn and effectively utilize complex simulation and educational technologies.
• Provide training, coaching, and technical support to faculty and staff.
• Troubleshoot simulation equipment and technology and coordinate appropriate technical support when necessary.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, professionalism, and student centered learning.
Preferred: Experience with high fidelity simulation, simulation management systems, debriefing methodologies, or simulation operations.
Physical Demands
Typical campus environment with the ability to travel between campuses and partner locations. Position requires the ability to perform physical functions associated with simulation laboratory operations, including grasping, light lifting, pushing, pulling, repetitive motions, standing, bending, and communicating verbally and in writing. Ability to push and pull educational equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Licensing Requirement
Valid NC Driver's License
The employee must obtain the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) certification through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSIH) within three (3) years of employment.
Working Conditions and Environment
Ability to accommodate a flexible working schedule based on instructional, testing, simulation, and institutional needs. Occasional travel within the College's service area is required. Occasional overnight travel may be required for professional development, vendor training, conferences, or other institutional business.
Work may occur in simulation laboratories, classrooms, offices, clinical environments, and healthcare partner locations. The position may occasionally require work outside of normal business hours to support scheduled simulation activities, testing, events, or training.
Equipment Operation
The Director of Healthcare Simulation will utilize standard office equipment for business and educational purposes, as well as simulation technologies equipment including high fidelity mannequins, healthcare trainers, and VR equipment.
This position description covers the most essential functions and duties associated with this position. Other duties may be assigned by the President or appropriate supervisory personnel. The College reserves the right to alter duties, responsibilities, conditions, working hours, and job title as necessary.