Simulation Lab Manager

Position Summary

The Simulation Lab Manager at the College of Nursing (CON) oversees and coordinates all activities related to simulation for CON students. Primarily, the Manager will work with faculty, administrators, and other educators to integrate simulation into the learning strategies within the nursing curriculum to support student achievement of course and program learning outcomes. This role is responsible for coordinating activities with faculty, students, and administrators to ensure clinical learning and effective execution of simulation, strategic planning to accommodate future growth, and maintain high-quality learning experiences within the Granger Lab. This role will be pivotal in shaping the future of nursing education through high- quality simulation practices and national accreditation. Responsibilities also include managing operational aspects, overseeing the experiences of students and faculty in alignment with each course, tracking the type and complexity of simulation and laboratory experiences over a program, and resolving user conflicts.

Position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• • Plan, implement, and evaluate the operations of simulation and clinical learning for nursing programs, including but not limited to, finances and budgeting, staffing & standardized patients, inventory/equipment, equipment maintenance, content and program development & innovation, and compliance with local MSU policy and International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) standards
  • Provide, evaluate, and ensure a quality of excellence for all simulation and laboratory learning experiences and the learning environment within nursing simulation.
  • Ensure that current simulations and simulation practices reflect a curriculum that represents the diversity of patient populations and changes to the curriculum are implemented in simulation activities that demonstrate health equity.
  • Evaluate, Pursue, and maintain appropriate national level accreditation for the Granger Lab, including but not limited to the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and INACSL.
  • Maintain, evaluate & disseminate the work of the Granger Lab on a local, state, regional, and national level.
  • Facilitate scheduling and staffing of simulation activities and manage acquisition/ maintenance/replacement of equipment.
  • Develop and implement nursing simulation policies, procedures, and safety measures that provide for effective and inclusive learning experiences, safe practices and are in accordance with accreditation, College and university policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Provide short- and long-range goals and strategic decision making for teaching/learning excellence and use of simulation in the curriculum to meet nursing course objectives, program outcomes, social determinants of health, health equity, and align with the strategic mission and vision of the college.
  • Analyze data, trend, and make known to the college community areas for improvement opportunities and changes implemented to address challenges; provide reports on key simulation metrics; enable a culture of scholarly dissemination of simulation works.
  • Review, evaluate and provide recommendations on skill media to ensure currency of concepts, equipment, etc.
  • Develop staffing patterns and schedules for optimal simulation asset utilization.
  • Maintain expertise in contemporary simulation and virtual reality best practices in healthcare education and advise leadership regarding potential modifications.
  • Support the College's vision and mission in inclusive and innovative education regarding simulation and laboratory practices.
  • Ensure equity in experiences across all CON campuses for clinical simulation and skill learning.
  • Plan for space and equipment needs, oversee student skill practice, and communicate availability widely.
  • Develop and implement revenue-generating activities and external partnerships with the Granger Lab.
  • Manage current simulation personnel (including but not limited to educators, technicians, and student aides) regarding activities such as timekeeping, conflict resolution, performance management, training, and development, and ensuring appropriate compliance components are met (in conjunction with HR).
  • Recruit, onboard, and retain qualified and diverse simulation staff.
  • Train and support professional development opportunities for personnel to ensure technical competency and skill of nursing simulation.
  • Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships between CON faculty and staff with all simulation personnel.
  • Promote the interests of the CON for nursing simulation through collaborative relationships within Michigan State University and community stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with MSU offices like the Learning and Assessment Center to acquire learning resources and enhance simulation experiences.
  • Serves as the nursing simulation liaison for the CON in all relevant MSU communities, committees, work groups, and local/national forums related to nursing simulation.
  • Support and represent the College of Nursing at community outreach events related to nursing simulation.
  • Facilitates simulation activities, including communication with stakeholders and training of others involved with activities (e.g., standardized patients, sim operators, etc.), to facilitate conversations that address sensitive and critical issues that impact social determinants of health and health equity in diverse communities.
  • Delivers high quality and impactful pre-briefing activities, simulation execution, and debriefing with students to foster a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and health equity.
  • Provides direct demonstration, practice, and assessment of nursing skills.
  • Collaborates with other Nurse Simulation Educators in the college to facilitate clinical simulation and skill learning experiences, ensuring an inclusive learning environment.
  • Provides classroom education and support as necessary.

All team members in the College of Nursing carry a leadership role that fosters a sense of inclusion, belonging, and servant leadership. This includes:

• Demonstrate a commitment to long-term, sustained action that increases inclusive practices in health equity across the CON.
• Intentionally create an environment that encourages a sense of belonging, inclusive learning, work, and clinical service environments, and enables everyone to reach their full potential.
• Recognize that inclusion is a journey and strive to move along the continuum of embracing experiences and resources that address anti-racist and anti-oppressive ideas while acknowledging the inward and outward systems that influence bias and cultural awareness.
• Strive to be a champion of inclusive practices that lead and transform others and create initiatives that change structural systems within nursing education that have historically inhibited disenfranchised, marginalized, and unintentionally excluded underrepresented communities. 

Required Degree

• Masters in Nursing

Desired Degree

• Doctorate in Nursing

Minimum Requirements

1. • Master’s degree in Nursing
   • Unrestricted Michigan RN license without probationary status (or eligible)
   • Minimum of three years clinical experience in acute care, i.e. critical care, emergency and/or medical/surgical unit
   • Minimum of one year of contemporary experience in an educational setting, e.g., nursing education, clinical preceptor, hospital education classes, clinical simulation lab, etc
   • Current Basic Life Support certification
   • Excellent communication and organization skills and ability to function independently and within a team
   • Commitment to the MSU and CON philosophy, policies, procedures, practices and professional behaviors relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Desired Qualifications

1. • PhD or DNP in Nursing
   • Certification in simulation (CHSE or equivalent)
   • Additional experience in business operations/management, MBA or MHA
   • Expertise in data analysis and the use of analytics to improve educational outcomes
   • Familiarity with accreditation processes and standards, particularly those related to simulation (e.g., Society for Simulation in Healthcare)
   • Experience in budget management and resource allocation
   • Strong leadership and team management skills
   • Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders

For Immediate consideration, please email your resume to the attention of Sophia Watts, email: wattssop@msu.eduWebsite: www.nursing.msu.eduEqual Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

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