Course Descriptions

The Western States Simulation Alliance is a leader in faculty development for simulation educators, having trained over 2,500 simulation faculty. WSSA courses have an interprofessional focus and are designed for all levels.

Following principles of adult learning, all courses are interactive and immersive in nature and support transition of the learner from novice to expert. The WSSA courses are preparatory for the Certification as Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) endorsed by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Check our course calendar for dates and registration information.

If you are interested in the WSSA coming to your school or hospital, contact KT Waxman at kt@healthimpact.org

Contact Alexandra Duke at (424) 422-5903 or alexandra@healthimpact.org with questions.

Course Descriptions

LEVEL I TRAINING – Beginner (no experience necessary)

This 1-day course is designed to engage the participant with an interest in simulation-based healthcare training with the basic concepts of simulation as an educational strategy. Using a combination of didactic, interactive and immersive group work, the course provides the beginning simulation user with the basics of high-fidelity simulation, scenario development, debriefing strategies to facilitate learning and the effective use of the available technology. The course is designed to provide a network of support for participants new to simulation through the vast resources in the Western States Simulation Alliance and can be customized to meet the needs of the group on-site at an individual school or hospital. (6.5 CEs)

LEVEL II SIMULATION INTENSIVE – Beginner/Intermediate

Prerequisite: must have taken Level 1 training or obtain consent of faculty

This 2-day immersion course offers a “jump-start” into simulation-based healthcare education. Participants will learn to apply best practices in high-fidelity simulation through a variety of didactic, interactive and immersive formats. Using a dual focus on academic and practice settings, key theoretical concepts and strategies will be explored to support health care educators in providing safe, effective learning environments. The basics of WSSA Level 1 curriculum will be flexed to meet the needs of the group, followed by intensive immersion into Level 3 scenario development and basic debriefing strategies. (13.5 CEs)

LEVEL III TRAINING – Specialty Workshops

Prerequisites: All Level III specialty workshops build on the knowledge and skills learned in previous
courses. Participants will have taken prior courses or have commensurate experience approved by the WSSA faculty.

• Basic Debriefing: In this immersive workshop, the participant will have the opportunity to apply debriefing strategies in common situations. Following a brief didactic grounding, an opportunity to practice and receive feedback is provided through the use video clips and role-playing to build beginning competency in debriefing. (6.5 CEs)
• Advanced Debriefing: In this immersive workshop, the participant will build on skills learned in basic debriefing courses. Employing the experiential learning framework and utilizing a series of video clips and “live” simulation experiences depicting common debriefing challenges, the participant will practice and receive feedback in order to expand competency in debriefing. (7.5 CEs)
• Basic Moulage: In this “hands-on” workshop, the participant will examine the value of using moulage in simulation to enhance realism and more effectively engage learners. Participants will further create moulage using recipes and methods provided in the class for direct application to the work setting. (6.5 CEs)
• Simulation Evaluation: In this seminar, learners will review current best practices for assessment and evaluation of simulation activities with special consideration for reliable and valid tools available in the literature. A thorough grounding in feedback, assessment and evaluation theory and practice will be provided, with opportunities for discussion and application to simulation practice. (6.5 CEs)
• Business Planning: In this virtual workshop, participants will learn the components of creating a business case for creating and sustaining a simulation program for both schools and hospitals. (2.5 CEs)
• Accreditation Prep: In this virtual workshop, participants will learn the society for simulation (SSH) accreditation standards and develop a gap analysis and action plan for accreditation readiness. (3.5 CEs)

SIMULATION OPERATIONS SPECIALIST COURSE

This course is designed to develop simulation operations specialists into highly effective and knowledgeable team members.  The course includes simulation-specific technical information combined with a broad overview of medical conditions, trauma conditions, human body systems, and medical equipment information.  Additionally, simulation-specific content related to ethics, legal, regulatory, and inventory management concepts are included.  Learners complete ten hours of on-line Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC) courses and a three-hour self-study manual before attending a two-day on-site training course.  Topics covered in the one-day training course include:

• Role of the Operations Specialist
• Technology in Simulation Operations
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
• Audio-Visual Operations
• Simulation Operations
• Instructional Design & Research