Director, Simulation Experiences

This leadership position will play a pivotal role in overseeing simulation education, operations, managing budgets and staff, collaborating with faculty, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality simulation-based education across all programs within the Department of Nursing. The Director will report directly to the Chairperson for the Department of Nursing and will work closely with faculty, staff, interdisciplinary teams and external partners to uphold simulation standards in the delivery of simulation education, support of grant-funded projects, and advance the mission and strategic goals of the Department of Nursing.

Operations:

• Oversees all aspects of simulation operations, including scheduling, maintenance of simulation equipment and facilities, and coordination of simulation sessions.
• Conduct vendor scans and stay informed about advancements in simulation technology, recommending investments and upgrades as appropriate.
• Supports faculty in the use of simulation to meet student learning outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to conduct new faculty orientation on principles of simulation, educational techniques, debrief, and other activities as appropriate.
• Acts as the primary contact regarding simulation experiences for all students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, university administration, and the public (student applicants, parents, practitioners, and educators).
• Develops inventory control procedures to monitor supply levels, maintain inventory and reorder as needed.
• Maintains a small reference area for in-lab use by students.
• Offers American Heart Association BLS recertification to faculty every two years and as needed.
• Maintains an on-going, comprehensive, log of undergraduate and graduate student and faculty activities in the lab.

Fiscal:

• Develop and manage the simulation program budget, including forecasting expenses, allocating resources, and monitoring financial performance
• Develops inventory policies to ensure levels are maintained in a cost-effective manner.

Administrative :

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the simulation program, ensuring alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the department, including serving as Chair of the Simulation Committee and a member of the Inter-professional Education Committee.
• Supervise simulation staff, including hiring, training, conducting performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Maintain and update simulation policies, procedures, and protocols in accordance with best practices.
• Maintain documentation of completion of orientation and faculty development activities.
• Collaborate with other departments within the university to facilitate inter-professional education and collaborative research opportunities.
• Represent the department and the simulation program at conferences, workshops, and professional meetings, sharing expertise and best practices with the broader healthcare simulation community.

• Collect and analyze simulation data such as: student and faculty responses/concerns, anticipated content needs, student outcomes as a result of participation in scenarios, and more.
• Prepare an annual simulation report for the department.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Chair of the Nursing Department.

Academic:

• Collaborates with faculty in the development and integration of simulation-based education into curricula across all programs, ensuring alignment with learning outcomes, best practices in simulation, and accreditation standards.
• Facilitates simulations with faculty and/or Simulation Educator, including pre and post debriefing sessions.
• Teaches 4- 8 credits per year (12-month period) as needed by the department.
• Coordinates Dimensional Analysis (DA) Workshops at the beginning of each semester and assists with student DA preparation.
• Meets with students as requested through faculty referral for one-on-one or group tutoring or skill support and supervision and generates reports related to student progress to the referring faculty member.
• Creates a classroom, laboratory or clinical setting that develops critical thinking in students.
• Continuously assesses the performance and educational content of the simulation-based programs and activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master's Degree in nursing.
• RN licensure in the State of Connecticut; this license must be valid and in good standing.
• Experience with simulation in nursing education.
• Knowledge of simulation pedagogy.
• A minimum of three years of full-time nursing practice in a medical surgical or critical care environment.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Up to date record of all immunizations required by the State and organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Nursing or Education.
• Experience in teaching clinical or didactic at the college level.
• Knowledge and experience with curriculum design.
• Experience as lab director or coordinator.
• Experience managing budgets, supervising staff and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Other Qualifications:

• Able to work a flexible schedule, may include evening hours
• Able to function independently while operating effectively within a team environment
• Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows environment. Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Internet, and other programs as needed.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Exhibits a high level of professionalism, leadership, creative problem solving, diplomacy, and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph
• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, as noted below, with or without reasonable accommodation. (including the ability to lift objects up to 50 pounds and subject to walking, sitting, standing, bending, reaching, kneeling and stooping)

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements and description of the work environment are representative of what an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Activity

Approximate Percentage of Time Spent in this Activity

(Minimal, Some, Substantial)

Bending

Some

Climbing (e.g. stairs)

Some

Keyboarding

Substantial

Kneeling

Some

Lifting (indicate maximum weight)

50 pounds

Reaching

Some

Sitting

Substantial

Standing

Substantial

Using Telephone

Substantial

Walking

Some

Work Environment (a brief description)

The role of the Nursing Simulation Lab Director requires the applicant to stand and walk for several hours during the day. Some of this standing may be at the bedside for extended periods of time while observing student activities. They may also be required to lift objects of up to 50 lbs (supplies, chairs, mannequins' simulators, etc.) although assistance from facilities is available as needed. The director should consider the bedside activities to be similar to those encountered in a true clinical setting. The noise levels in the lab are fairly well controlled but are consistent with that of an interactive classroom setting. The lab is air-conditioned during the summer months.