Courses

Courses

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.

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.

New to WSSA Courses? Start Here.

The WSSA recommends if you are a novice simulationist that you take the following free course prior to enrolling in our courses:

“Essentials in Clinical Simulations Across Health Professions”LINK: https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinicalsimulations

About Our Partner, The Debriefing Academy

We partner with The Debriefing Academy for the delivery of our Debriefing courses. WSSA members receive a discount.

Interested in more courses from The Debriefing Academy?
Click HERE to see details for the Academy Archive offerings

 

Refund Policy. Please Read.

Courses may be cancelled by WSSA prior to the first day of class due to a variety of situations. Notice will be given as far in advance as possible. In cases where WSSA cancels a course, a full refund will be given back to the payor.

Participants may also cancel their registration prior to the start of the class and request a refund for courses they have paid for. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the following schedule:

  • Cancellation 14 days prior to the first day of class: 100% of the course fee will be refunded minus a $10 administrative fee
  • Cancellation fewer than 14 days before the first day of class or a no-show: No refund will be given.

By registering for WSSA courses, you agree to our refund policy.

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.

Below is a list of our courses, organized by where our students are in their simulation learning journey.  You’ll find course descriptions, upcoming dates, and registration links.

Just Starting Out
Getting the Hang of It
Top of Your Game

Just starting out:

LEVEL I Beginner Simulation Training

(no experience necessary)

No currently scheduled courses. 

6.5 CEs

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.

Read More
Simulation class

Basic Debriefing

No currently scheduled courses. 

6.5 CEs

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.

Read More
Simulation class

Simulation Operations Specialist 

No currently scheduled courses. 

6.5 CEs

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

Read More

Getting the hang of it:

Simulation class

Simulation Intensive Beginner/Intermediate

No currently scheduled courses. 

13.5 CEs

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.

Read More

Advanced Debriefing with Implicit Bias

No currently scheduled courses. 

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)

Read More

From Awareness to Action: Designing Simulations to Challenge Implicit Bias 

No currently scheduled courses. 

Course Description and Objectives

1. Identify and evaluate implicit bias in simulation scenarios

Participants will review and analyze existing simulation scenarios to identify elements of implicit bias and discuss strategies for mitigation.

2. Design evidence-based simulation scenarios that support learners in recognizing implicit bias and practicing mitigation strategies.

Participants will apply best practices in scenario design to develop learner-centered simulations that allow learners to explore implicit bias, encounter common stereotypes without reinforcing them, and practice strategies for bias mitigation.

3. Develop scaffolding strategies to support progressive skill and awareness development

Participants will structure learning experiences to promote gradual skill acquisition and reflection, aligning scenario complexity with learners’ developmental levels.

Read More

Top of your game:

Building the Business Case for Simulation: Demonstrating ROI and Impact

No currently scheduled courses. 

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)

Read More

Beyond the Manikin: Integrating Standardized Participants for Realism and Impact

No currently scheduled courses. 

3.5 CEs

This course will provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to create authentic and engaging learning experiences through the use of
Standardized Participants (SPs). This interactive course introduces participants to best practices in SP recruitment, training, scenario
development, and feedback delivery. Through interactive activities and discussion, learners will examine how SPs can strengthen realism,
enhance communication and assessment skills, and foster empathy. This course will provide participants with the tools needed to integrate human
interaction into simulation design for maximum learner engagement with SPs.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Articulate the value of standardized patients in simulation-based learning.
2. Develop SP scenarios that align with learning outcomes and national simulation standards.
3. Demonstrate effective strategies for recruiting, training, and coaching SPs for performance consistency.
4. Apply methods to ensure psychological safety and professionalism during SP encounters.
5. Evaluate SP and learner performance using structured observation and feedback tools.

Read More

Smart Scenarios: Designing Next-Gen Simulation with AI

No currently scheduled courses. 

3.5 CEs

This course examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the future of simulation design. Participants will acquire practical tools to
create realistic, inclusive, and outcome-oriented scenarios. They will also learn how to utilize AI to generate patient cases, refine learning objectives,
and streamline scenario development, all while adhering to ethical standards and maintaining the highest levels of integrity in simulation.
Through interactive learning activities and guided discussions, participants will deepen their understanding of innovative design strategies that
promote creativity, efficiency, and impactful results in simulation education.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the role and potential of AI in simulation scenario design.
2. Apply AI tools to develop learning objectives, patient narratives, and scenario flows.
3. Evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy, inclusivity, and ethical use.
4. Integrate AI-assisted design processes into existing simulation curricula.
5. Develop a prototype smart scenario that effectively utilizes AI in simulation.

Read More

The Master Debriefer Course

Wednesdays: October 15, 22, 29 and November 5, 12, 19, 26, 2025
9:00 am – 11:30 am Pacific / 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern Time
Cost: $1750 / 13 CEs / WSSA Members receive a 15% discount / CODE: CSA15
REGISTER HERE

13 CEs

The Master Debriefer Course (Virtual Edition) is offered through The Debriefing Academy and provides the advanced content, strategies and tools necessary to transform debriefing conversations into vehicles of change within healthcare environments. This immersive 7-week virtual on-line course focuses on improving debriefing skills by weaving through several important elements of debriefing and feedback practice.

Read More

Accreditation Essentials for Simulation Programs

No currently scheduled courses. 

3.5 CEs

This interactive course prepares simulation programs and centers to achieve and sustain national accreditation or endorsement by translating
standards into practice. Participants will learn how to interpret accreditation criteria, organize documentation, and align policies, procedures, and
evidence with recognized standards such as those from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the Association for Simulated Practice
in Healthcare (ASPiH). Through guided discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises,
attendees will:
1. Describe the key components, requirements, and stages of the simulation accreditation processes.
2. Analyze current programmatic practices to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in relation to accreditation standards.
3. Interpret accreditation criteria using examples and case studies from successfully accredited programs.
4. Apply evidence-based strategies and resources to mitigate common challenges encountered during the accreditation application and review process.
5. Develop an action plan to enhance program readiness and sustain compliance with national simulation standards.

This course is ideal for simulation leaders, faculty, and operations specialists seeking to build, evaluate, or enhance their program’s readiness for accreditation. Participants will leave with practical tools and a structured roadmap for demonstrating excellence, accountability, and sustained impact in simulation education.

Read More