Simulation Educator

The Simulation Educator’s primary responsibilities are to
• Ensure best practices are being followed in the implementation of SBL.
• Serve as an accessible resource and support person for SMU faculty as they integrate SBL strategies into their curricula.
• Provide focused support to faculty from specific academic programs or entities external to SMU, as assigned.
• Facilitate implementation of simulation scenarios for learners, including debriefing.

All HSSC team members are expected to
• Effectively utilize TeamSTEPPS™ tools and strategies to enhance team performance and communication.
• Engage in community outreach service by participating in or leading educational sessions within the HSSC for community and youth groups.

I. Education Responsibilities
1. Implement established SBL Sessions
• Observe SMU faculty leading a SBL activity to ensure current, evidence-based standards are met.
• Act as a mentor/coach to SMU faculty during a SBL activity to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Mentor faculty in effective debriefing practices that promote reflective learning.
• Collaborate with the Simulation Technology Specialist (STS) in the implementation of the simulation to assure the STS is aware of the necessary tech support, the SBL plan for the session, and the required setup for the session.
• Utilize the Educational Management Solutions (EMS) AV and database management systems effectively.

2. Design-Develop-Implement-Evaluate new SBL Sessions
• Act as an expert resource to faculty in simulation-based learning (SBL) design and delivery.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and implement SBL activities into their curricula.
• Use evidence-based methods/ SBL theories to design, implement, and evaluate simulation curricula including debriefing and assessment.
• Facilitate university-wide interprofessional education (IPE) activities/initiatives with SMU faculty across programs.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and/or utilize existing assessment tools to evaluate learner competency.
• Collaborate with the Simulation Technology Specialist (STS) in the implementation of the simulation to assure the STS is aware of the necessary tech support, the SBL plan for the session, and the required setup for the session.
• Be accountable for maintaining the library of scenarios used in programs under your designated oversight (e.g., pre-licensure nursing, graduate nursing programs. PT, etc.)

3. Develop Simulation-Based Learning Curricula
• Act as an expert resource to faculty in SBL design and delivery, emphasizing thoughtful, cohesive, longitudinal integration of SBL throughout an academic program’s entire curriculum.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and implement SBL activities into their curricula.
• Demonstrate best practices as identified by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in their curriculum for Certification in Healthcare Simulation Education.
• Observe SMU faculty leading a SBL activity to ensure current, evidence-based standards are met.
• Act as a mentor/coach to SMU faculty during a SBL activity to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Mentor faculty in effective debriefing practices that promote reflective learning.
• Facilitate university-wide interprofessional education (IPE) activities/initiatives with SMU faculty across programs.

4. Assess & Evaluate Simulation Based Learning
• Use evidence-based methods and theoretical frameworks relevant to SBL to design, implement, and evaluate simulation curricula.
• Observe SMU faculty leading a SBL activity to ensure current, evidence-based standards are met.
• Act as a mentor/coach to SMU faculty during a SBL activity to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and/or utilize existing assessment tools to evaluate learner competency.
• Actively engage in continuous quality improvement of HSSC services by:
o Meeting with faculty on a periodic basis to review all curricular documents of SBL activities currently implemented
o Performing routine critical reviews with faculty of all SBL session learning objectives, confirming that they are relevant and in alignment with course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes, and Institutional learning outcomes
o Facilitating active, creative brainstorming with faculty groups around other SBL activities/scenarios to consider integrating into curricula

5. Provide faculty development opportunities
• Act as an expert resource to faculty in simulation-based learning (SBL) design and delivery.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and implement SBL activities into their curricula.
• Demonstrate best practices as identified by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in their curriculum for Certification in Healthcare Simulation Education.
• Act as a mentor/coach to SMU faculty during a SBL activity to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Collaborate with other HSSC and SMU faculty to design, develop, implement, evaluate, and study faculty development activities in the area of SBL and other immersive learning approaches.
• Mentor faculty in effective debriefing practices that promote reflective learning.
• Facilitate interprofessional education (IPE) activities with SMU faculty.
• Collaborate with SMU faculty to develop and/or utilize existing assessment tools to evaluate learner competency.

II. Research & Development Responsibilities
1. Advocate for an innovative approach to all HSSC services and products
• Be the person who constantly asks, “How might we…? How might we improve X…or completely reimagine Y…or find a new way to accomplish Z”
• Maintain awareness of current trends in teaching and learning, focusing on simulation and other immersive learning modalities for healthcare professional education.
• Complete critical analyses of academic and lay literature, as well as vendor/marketing information in order to make productive contributions to HSSC team decisions regarding services and products.

2. Support the HSSC Research Agenda
• Engage in scholarly work according to SMU guidelines for scholarship in accordance with Institutional Review Board policies for Human Subjects research
• Collaborate with HSSC team colleagues and SMU faculty in the conduct of research efforts involving the HSSC following consultation with the HSSC methodologist to ensure ethical and legal considerations are met
• Represent the HSSC through the dissemination of research findings at professional conferences and/or publication
• Negotiate faculty workload hours for individual scholarly endeavors with HSSC Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in a health profession, education or similar

• 2+ years' experience in simulation-based teaching & learning 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate as a team member

• Communicate and collaborate in a positive, professional manner with faculty, staff, learners, and stakeholders of the Health Sciences Simulation Center.

• Ability to adjust to frequent changes in priorities, project needs, and workflow.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a health profession, education, or simulation preferred

• Registered Nurse License Preferred (within the last 5 years) OR Compact License

• 1+ years of experience with computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to simulator functions preferred.

We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.