Senior Simulation Specialist, Nursing Program

Senior Simulation Specialist, Nursing Program

Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of this role is to lead the strategic integration of simulation-based education across the province-wide USask nursing curriculum to enhance teaching, learning, and achievement of program outcomes. The role champions faculty engagement and change management by building capacity, fostering innovation, and supporting effective adoption of simulation through mentorship, collaboration, and professional development. It also coordinates planning, implementation, evaluation, and cross-institutional collaboration to ensure simulation initiatives are pedagogically sound, sustainable, and aligned with regulatory standards and best practices.

Nature of Work: Simulation-based education includes, but is not limited to virtual reality, computer-based and manikin-based simulation. The Senior Simulation Specialist will be responsible for simulation integration across the College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) program encompassing the Saskatoon campus, Prince Albert Campus and Distributive Sites. The ability to travel to all BSN program campuses and distributive sites is expected.

Accountabilities:

Curriculum & Pedagogical Leadership

• Lead the integration of simulation-based education into existing and revised curriculum components.
• Collaborate with faculty committees to ensure simulation-based education aligns with learning outcomes and regulatory standards.
• Identify opportunities for innovative teaching practices using simulation-based education.

Faculty Engagement & Change Management

• Champion simulation-based education adoption among faculty through consultation, mentorship, and professional development.
• Facilitate workshops and peer-to-peer learning to build faculty capacity and confidence.
• Address barriers to adoption and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Project Coordination & Collaboration

• Conduct pilots as proof of concept and to identify opportunities and potential barriers.
• Provide recommendations to leadership on the required resources for successful implementation and on-going sustainability.
• Work closely with E-Learning, provincial lab coordinator and lab staff to ensure best practice on selection of vendors and content providers, as well as technical implementation to support pedagogical goals.
• Liaise with other nursing post-secondary institutions in the province to align efforts and share best practices.

Evaluation & Reporting

• Develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess the impact of simulation-based education on teaching and learning.
• Collect feedback from faculty and students to inform continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present progress reports for faculty and leadership.
• Link simulation activities to BSN program outcomes

Core Duties:

Curriculum Alignment

• Map proposed simulation-based experiences to existing course objectives and clinical competencies.
• Ensure compliance with recognized simulation best practices (, INACSL Standards).

Curriculum Integration

• Identify areas where simulation adds pedagogical value (, high-risk scenarios, communication skills).
• Recommend sequencing and scaffolding of simulation experiences across program levels.
• Incorporate the INASCL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice across the curriculum

Faculty Development

• Provide peer mentorship and facilitate professional development related to simulation-based education.

Simulation Event Management

• Lead the planning, orientation, implementation, and evaluation of simulation events.
• Coordinate access to licensing, equipment, and room bookings.
• Hire contract faculty to support simulation events
• Orient faculty and students on the use of simulation software and hardware.
• Support faculty during simulation sessions.
• Collect and analyze feedback from instructors and students.

Strategic Planning

• Develop and maintain a communication plan, implementation plan, and evaluation plan for simulation initiatives.

Collaboration

• Coordinate with partner institutions (, University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic) to align efforts and share resources.

Content Development

• Contribute to the creation of simulation-based education content as needed.
• Document best practices, deliverables, and timelines.
• Develop instructional materials and policies for simulation use.

Advance USask Nursing Simulation Research

• Apply for program grants related to simulation education ( Can Sim)
• Lead research projects focused on simulation innovation to address clinical and educational research gaps
• Collaborate with simulation specialists across Canada to advance simulation pedagogy in nursing education

Qualifications:

Education: Registered with the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS). Bachelor’s degree in nursing required, Master’s or Doctoral degree in Nursing, Education or related health fields preferred. Current simulation education credential: Canadian Certified Simulation Nurse Educator (CCSNE); Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE), Simulation Certificate Program (CASN) or equivalent.

Experience: Clinical nursing experience: two-three years working in acute care setting, and/or a simulated learning environment. Education/simulation experience: at least one –three years of teaching in simulation or skills lab.

Skills: RN with knowledge of adult learning principles, assessment strategies and simulation related theory and practice. Knowledge of simulation best practices and the application of simulation technology. Proficiency with simulation technologies – experience with medium and low fidelity mannikins, computer-based simulations, virtual reality and related systems is essential. Designing and implementing simulation scenarios: ability to develop evidence-based, competency aligned simulations (prebrief, simulation activities, debrief). Sustained competency in designing and implementing virtual simulation. Simulation coordination skills: strong familiarity with scheduling.

Must have an active driver’s license and be willing to travel across the province of Saskatchewan to Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and the Distributive Sites. Adaptable to changing environments.