How did you get into healthcare simulation?

I entered this challenging arena of simulation in the mid ‘90s as an EMS educator. It’s interesting looking back to that time, using partial task trainers, static mannequins and fellow faculty or students as “actors” now known as SPs and confederates for evaluations and learning. It was sometimes quite unstructured in its use, and little did we know how it would all evolve into this great realm of medical education! My “formal” high fidelity simulation began as an education coordinator for MedFlight of Ohio in early 2000. We became an air-medical industry leader purchasing one of the first METI high fidelity simulators. I designed a simulation lab and subsequently began using simulation for competency assessments, education for both internal and external clients and hiring evaluations. We also developed one of the few mobile simulation labs during that time, serving most of Ohio. I also became an adjunct educator for METI (now CAE Healthcare) at that time.

What do you like most about healthcare simulation?

First and foremost I love the prospect simulation brings to educate, maintain competency, evaluate decision-making and establish competent healthcare professionals. This all equates to safety for our end customer…..the patient! Simulation also allows me to execute my creative side by designing encounters or education that truly challenges learners by immersing them into lifelike situations. Simulation allows us to face learners with situations of low frequency, high risk, in a safe environment. I find it is a great opportunity for inter-professional collaboration and communication education. Okay, I guess that was several things! Simulation has so many great attributes! What is most challenging about healthcare simulation? As an educator for CAE Healthcare, I have a unique perspective gained from seeing a vast amount of simulation programs. I can attest the most common denominator I witness is the availability of faculty well versed in simulation, and ability to have adequate time to dedicated for simulation operations. Most are very passionate for simulation but these two items continue to be an issue. Compensation associated with roles also plays into this. I also hope to see us more like our aviation brethren, using simulation as a consistent accepted form of clinical rotation substitution and summative assessment for credentialing.

With the knowledge gained through becoming certified, how has this transformed and benefited your work as a healthcare simulationist?

Being a simulation educator and consultant in many areas for CAE Healthcare, my CHSE and CHSOS credentials have obvious benefits for my organization and its customers. They establish credibility and expertise to both clients. Professionally I have served multiple roles in simulation and feel both exams educated, and challenged my knowledge base for all levels of simulation management, design, and operations. I feel they also promote the vision for excellence and recognition the Society for Simulation in Healthcare is doing for our profession.

Creative License

What do you do in healthcare simulation? 

Clinical Educator for CAE Healthcare. I Provide education to customers from academic, clinical, and military, in simulator product operation, curriculum design, curriculum integration, debriefing, and related simulation best practices, domestic and internationally. I am active in scenario and curriculum development for customer learning application products. I assist in various e-learning design as a subject matter expert, objective identification and measurability for customer base. I am Active with consultations and management services. 

I developed the first hybrid learning application of 10 scenarios, which blended various objectives, simulation learning techniques, and adjunct teaching materials. Developed debriefing concepts and measurable objective competency based evaluations for the application.

Active with development of inter-professional educational concepts and simulation design. 

Currently developing simulation curriculum for competency maintenance and evaluation for the United Sates Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons

 Developed simulation for Organ Transplant Donor Management Care 

Presenting at various local and national conferences on simulation
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/naemse.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/SymposiumGuideNEWsmall.pdf
http://HPSN.como http://caehealthcare.com/eng/education/meet-the-team/
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-whitaker-chse/62/52a/6a1