Director of Simulation Technology

The Director of Simulation Technology leads the Simulation Technology section of the Sentara Center for Healthcare Simulation and Immersive Learning (SCHSIL or the Center) at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. Reporting to the Executive Director the Director supervises the Centers simulation technology information technology media production and learning management system functions and oversees the Tidewater Center for Life Support (TCLS) which provides American Heart Association and American College of Surgeons life support courses to healthcare professionals students and the public. The Director plans and oversees simulation operations and the maintenance and life-cycle management of the Centers simulators and simulation technology across modalities providing hands-on support when needed; oversees simulation technology inventory and purchasing; and proposes new simulation technology and training programs to meet educational needs and curricular objectives. The Director also contributes to the Centers simulation accreditation processes teaches faculty development courses develops and promotes customized programs for new and existing Center clients and supports simulation research conducted in the Center.

• Section Leadership Administration and Accreditation: Leads the Simulation Technology section as a member of the Centers leadership team. Directly supervises the Simulation Technology Manager IT Manager Media Production Manager learning management system manager and TCLS coordinator and through them the sections technical staff and life support instructors including hiring onboarding training work assignment performance evaluation and professional development. Develops and manages the operating and capital budgets for the section and TCLS with Executive Director approval and monitors expenditures and revenue. Establishes and maintains section policies standard operating procedures performance measures and staffing coverage plans coordinating coverage with the Centers logistics team. Contributes to the Centers simulation accreditation processes (e.g. Society for Simulation in Healthcare; American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes) including standards compliance self-studies site visits and continuous quality improvement.
• Simulation Operations Planning and Oversight:Plans directs and oversees the simulation operations performed by the sections technical staff for Center education assessment and client events. Reviews upcoming event schedules and requirements with faculty educators and the Centers logistics team; assigns technical staff; and ensures that equipment simulator programming moulage room configurations and audiovisual capture for pre-briefing and debriefing are planned resourced and ready across simulation modalities including manikin-based task trainer computer-based virtual and extended reality and hybrid simulation. Establishes and enforces operating standards for equipment readiness safety cleaning and room turnover and monitors event execution and client feedback to resolve problems and improve service. Maintains the technical proficiency needed to direct staff and troubleshoot escalated problems and provides occasional hands-on setup and operation of simulators when staffing or program needs require.
• Simulation Technology and Systems Management:Manages the life cycle of the Centers simulation technology and supporting systems. Oversees preventive maintenance repair warranty and service contracts and vendor relationships for simulators and related equipment and monitors equipment utilization to ensure effective use of resources. Ensures the reliability of the Centers information technology audiovisual and recording systems media production resources and learning management system (currently LearningSpace) through the managers who administer them. Oversees simulation technology inventory and purchasing: identifies requirements approves purchase requests and ensures that the Centers standard ordering and inventory processes carried out by fiscal and logistics staff meet the sections needs and operate correctly. Evaluates emerging technology including immersive and artificial intelligence-enabled tools and recommends new simulators systems and replacement plans to meet educational needs and curricular objectives.
• Education Faculty Development and Client Program Development:Serves as the Centers subject matter expert on simulation technology for faculty staff and clients. Teaches faculty development courses on simulation-based education and assessment. Develops and delivers training for faculty instructors staff and learners on the effective and safe use of the Centers simulation technology. Consults with Virginia Health Sciences Old Dominion University and external faculty on the design development implementation and evaluation of curricula and assessments that integrate simulation modalities for undergraduate graduate postgraduate and health professions learners. Identifies and cultivates new internal and external clients and designs develops implements evaluates and promotes customized simulation programs that meet the needs of new and existing clients.
• Tidewater Center for Life Support (TCLS) Oversight:Provides Center-level oversight of the Tidewater Center for Life Support (TCLS) which delivers American Heart Association and American College of Surgeons life support courses (e.g. BLS ACLS PALS Heartsaver and ATLS) to healthcare professionals students and the public. Supervises the TCLS coordinator and through the coordinator the programs instructors. Ensures compliance with the program requirements of the sponsoring organizations including instructor credentialing course quality records and certification card management. Oversees TCLS course scheduling equipment and financial performance and works to grow TCLS course offerings and client relationships.
• Scholarship Support Collaboration and Other Duties:Supports simulation research and scholarship led by Center and institutional faculty by contributing technical expertise to study design grant proposals data collection and the logistics of grant-funded simulation projects. Mentors summer scholar students and assists university students with capstone projects conducted in the Center. Represents the Center in local and regional simulation collaborations and professional organizations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelors degree plus eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare simulation operations simulation technology or a closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Should include:
  • supervision of technical staff and oversight of simulation users;operating programming and maintaining simulators and simulation technology across modalities (e.g. manikin-based task trainer computer-based virtual and extended reality and hybrid simulation);
  • program design development and implementation;applied computer and information technology skills; and
  • demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with current and prospective clients and users.Knowledge of healthcare simulation modalities simulation operations and the principles of simulation-based education and assessment.Knowledge of computer network audiovisual and simulation center management systems used in a simulation environment.
• Ability to lead supervise and develop managers and technical staff.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts interest proportions and percentages and to apply concepts of basic algebra and statistical analysis including for budget development and monitoring.
• Ability to deal with others in a direct honest manner and to comply with all university policies and procedures.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing including teaching and presenting to faculty staff and clients and to demonstrate sound judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to adapt to changing work environments work priorities and organizational needs with enthusiasm and energy; takes independent action to address and resolve problems.
• Ability to manage time and resources to ensure assignments are completed accurately and deadlines are met; meets attendance and punctuality requirements.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the public partners clients and co-workers and to work cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree.
• Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) and/or Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential or the advanced credentials (CHSOS-A CHSE-A).
• Experience with simulation program accreditation (e.g. Society for Simulation in Healthcare; American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes).
• Experience developing and managing operating and capital budgets.
• Experience administering or overseeing American Heart Association or American College of Surgeons life support training programs.
• Experience with simulation center management and learning management systems (e.g. LearningSpace).