Position Summary & Description
The Executive Director of Simulation provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and direction for all simulation-based learning infrastructure within the College of Osteopathic Medicine. This individual is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive simulation programs that support medical education, interprofessional education, clinical competency development, faculty training, and healthcare workforce initiatives.
The Executive Director serves as the chief administrator for the College of Osteopathic Medicine Simulation Center and is responsible for personnel management, fiscal oversight, accreditation support, technology integration, curriculum alignment coordination, community partnerships, and long-term strategic planning. The position collaborates closely with academic leadership, faculty, clinical partners, and external stakeholders to ensure simulation activities meet educational, accreditation, and workforce development goals.
Executive Director will also have direct supervisory authority over the Standardized Patient Program and all associated personnel with the standardized patient program for the IUPCOM.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for simulation-based education aligned with institutional mission and goals.
- Lead the growth and advancement of simulation programs supporting undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and interprofessional healthcare education.
- Collaborate with academic leadership to integrate simulation throughout the curriculum.
- Identify innovative approaches and emerging technologies that enhance educational outcomes.
Operations Management
- Direct all administrative and operational functions of the Simulation Center.
- Oversee scheduling, utilization, maintenance, and replacement planning for simulation equipment and facilities.
- Ensure efficient resource allocation and operational excellence.
- Develop policies, procedures, and standards for College of Osteopathic Medicine simulation activities.
Personnel Leadership
- Supervise simulation center personnel, including coordinators, simulation technicians, standardized patient programs (see next paragraph), and other support staff.
- Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate staff performance.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and compassion.
Standardized Patient Program Management
- Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Standardized Patient (SP) program to support medical education, clinical skills assessment, and interprofessional training activities.
- Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard standardized patient actors representing diverse backgrounds and populations.
- Establish and maintain a pool of qualified standardized patients capable of portraying a wide range of clinical scenarios with consistency and accuracy.
- Train and evaluate standardized patients in case portrayal, learner assessment, feedback delivery, professionalism, confidentiality, and educational best practices.
- Supervise standardized patient coordinators, trainers, and actors to ensure high-quality performance and program effectiveness.
- Develop policies, procedures, and quality assurance measures for standardized patient recruitment, training, scheduling, compensation, and performance management.
- Collaborate with faculty and curriculum leaders to design and implement standardized patient encounters that align with educational objectives and assessment requirements.
- Oversee scheduling and utilization of standardized patients for instructional sessions, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), admissions activities, and program evaluations.
- Ensure consistency, reliability, and validity of standardized patient performance in educational and assessment activities.
- Manage contracts, payroll processes, budgets, and other administrative aspects of the standardized patient program.
- Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence within standardized patient recruitment and training practices.
- Continuously evaluate and improve the standardized patient program through feedback, performance metrics, and educational outcomes.
Educational Program Development
- Partner with faculty to design, implement, and assess simulation experiences.
- Support faculty-led curriculum development focused on clinical reasoning, patient safety, communication, teamwork, and procedural skills.
- Promote interprofessional education initiatives involving multiple healthcare disciplines.
- Ensure educational activities are evidence-based and aligned with best practices.
Faculty Development
- Provide training and consultation to faculty regarding simulation methodologies.
- Support faculty in scenario development, debriefing techniques, learner assessment, and educational research.
Financial Management
- Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for simulation center.
- Monitor expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
- Identify grant opportunities and support external funding initiatives.
- Participate in financial planning for equipment acquisition and program expansion.
Accreditation and Compliance
- Ensure simulation programs comply with accreditation standards and institutional policies.
- Maintain documentation and reporting required for accreditation reviews.
- Monitor regulatory requirements, educational standards, and industry best practices.
Research and Scholarly Activity
- Promote scholarly activity related to simulation and healthcare education.
- Encourage and support simulation-related educational research.
- Collaborate with faculty on scholarly projects, grant submissions, and presentations.
- Promote dissemination of innovative educational practices through publications and professional conferences.
Community and Clinical Partnerships
- Develop partnerships with healthcare systems, community organizations, and educational institutions.
- Support workforce development initiatives and continuing professional education programs.
- Collaborate with internal (university) and external stakeholders to maximize utilization and impact of simulation resources.
Position Qualifications
- Master’s degree in healthcare education, Simulation, Health Sciences, Education, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Medicine, or related field.
- Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare simulation, medical education, clinical education, or a related field.
- Experience supervising professional staff and managing complex programs.
- Demonstrated knowledge of simulation-based education methodologies and technologies.
- Experience with budgeting, strategic planning, and project management.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree (DO, MD, PhD, EdD, DNP, or equivalent).
- Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) or Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS).
- Experience supporting medical school accreditation requirements.
- Experience overseeing high-fidelity simulation laboratories and standardized patient programs.
- Record of scholarly activity, grant development, or educational research.
- Experience leading interprofessional education initiatives.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
For an overview of IUP benefit information available for management employees, please click on the link below:
https://www.passhe.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefit-summaries/sshe-summary.pdf
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