July President's Message: Praise for the Operations Specialist

Hello, Colleagues!

Hope you are doing well. I appreciated all of you who attended the recent Town Hall meeting where we discussed how programs are currently planning for the next “pivot” during this next phase of the pandemic. As usual, there were many great conversations! 

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Also in recent news, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate my friend, David Gaba, on his well-deserved recognition last month as a recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award in the “Individual Achievement” category. Needless to say, neither SSH nor the healthcare simulation world we live in would be nearly the force it has become without the dedication, knowledge, and passion Dr. Gaba has amazingly given throughout his career. Well done!

Now, going forward, SimOps 2021: UNIFY! will be happening next week at the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in Tampa, Florida. My amazing colleague and our SSH President Elect, Haru Okuda, will be present (it’s where he works!) and representing the SSH Board. So, be sure to say hi when you see him there!

Because SimOps is happening this month, I thought it was appropriate to focus on the Simulation Operations Specialist role and its importance to SSH and the healthcare simulation community.

The SSH Dictionary defines an Operations Specialist as:

• An individual whose primary role is the implementation and delivery of a simulation activity through the application of simulation technologies such as, computers, audio-visual, or networking technologies. 
   
• An inclusive “umbrella” term that embodies many different roles within healthcare simulation operations, including simulation technician, simulation technology specialist, simulation specialist, simulation coordinator, and simulation AV specialist. While many of these individuals also design simulation activities, this term refers to the functional role related to the implementation of the simulation activities.

That definition invites healthcare professionals from many different backgrounds and experiences, and I always have been impressed with the dedicated and talented simulation ops specialists I’ve met in my travels as an SSH Accreditation reviewer. Their roles are often defined by the size of the program as well as the necessary skillsets that are required. The varying backgrounds of those who have become involved has made the field more robust.

The Simulation Operations and Technology Section (SOTS) is one of the largest sections in the Society. The mission of the group is to “is to foster a community that openly contributes and shares technical knowledge and technology wisdom in the medical simulation world.”

We are fortunate to have Melissa Lowther chair the group. (Melissa is also a co-chair for IMSH 2022 in Los Angeles!) Click here if you are interested in becoming involved with the SOTS section.

On a slightly different but related note, there are more Sim Op Specialists becoming CHSOS and CHSOS-A certified every day, which is very exciting. We also have noticed that an increased number of job postings are now requiring certification either at the time of hire or within a year. This is excellent and indicates the value of the certification. SSH offers several ways to prepare you for sitting for the exam. Get SSH Certification information here!

NEW STORM EDITOR IN CHIEF

Next, as mentioned in a recent Simulation Spotlight email, it was announced that David Biffar, CHSOS, has been appointed as the new Editor in Chief for STORM Magazine by the SSH Board of Directors!

I first met David several years ago when I did an accreditation site review at the Arizona Simulation Technology & Education Center. It is a very impressive program, and David is an integral part of their success! In his new role, David is in the process of selecting Editorial Board members and is planning to get the publication moving quickly. Any questions for him regarding STORM magazine can be sent to STORM@ssih.org.

SSH BOARD NOMINATIONS DUE!

Lastly, serving on the Board of your association or society can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your entire membership. That said, nominations for the 2022 SSH Board of Directors are open now, but only until Monday, July 12!

Obviously, I have felt the benefit of serving as a volunteer leader at the Board level, and I would love for you to share in that experience but in your own way! Start here for information on how to nominate yourself (or someone you think would make an awesome board member!), and we’ll see you soon!

Until next month …

Juli Maxworthy, DNP, PhD (c), MSN, MBA, RN, CNL, CPHQ, CPPS, CHSE, FNAP, FSSH
President, Society for Simulation in Healthcare