Clinical Simulation Specialist
A Clinical Simulation Specialist operates and maintains the technology behind a healthcare simulation center, building scenarios, running high-fidelity manikins and AV systems, and supporting faculty in delivering realistic clinical training. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Clinical Simulation Specialist do?
The Clinical Simulation Specialist operates, maintains, and troubleshoots the technology that powers a healthcare simulation center. The role prepares simulation labs, programs and runs high-fidelity manikins and audiovisual systems, supports faculty before and during scenarios, and ensures the simulation environment is realistic, safe, and ready for learners.
It is a simulation operations role at the intersection of healthcare and higher education, supporting nursing, allied health, and medical training programs.
High-fidelity simulation uses computerized manikins and realistic clinical environments to mimic patient responses so learners can practice skills and decision-making safely. The work aligns with INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards, and many specialists hold the CHSOS (Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
What does the specialist handle?
Key responsibilities of a Clinical Simulation Specialist
- Set up, program, operate, and tear down high-fidelity manikins, task trainers, and standardized patient encounters for scheduled simulations.
- Operate audiovisual recording and debriefing systems, capturing scenarios for review and feedback.
- Prepare simulation labs with appropriate supplies, moulage, and equipment to create realistic clinical environments.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and perform routine repairs on simulation equipment, coordinating with vendors for service as needed.
- Manage inventory, software updates, and the readiness of all simulation technology.
- Document equipment use, maintenance, and incident reports to support center operations.
- Collaborate with faculty to design, program, and run simulation scenarios aligned to learning objectives.
- Orient faculty and learners to simulation technology and support smooth scenario delivery.
- Help align center practices with recognized healthcare simulation standards of best practice.
What qualifications does the role require?
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a health, simulation, information technology, or related technical field.
- Hands-on experience with simulation, healthcare, audiovisual, or technical equipment, with strong troubleshooting ability.
- Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) credential preferred or expected within a defined period.
- Comfort with computers, networks, and simulation software, plus strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Clear communication and a collaborative, service-oriented approach to working with faculty and learners.
- Ability to manage multiple scenarios and competing priorities in a fast-paced lab environment.
Why is the Clinical Simulation Specialist role important?
Simulation lets health-sciences students practice safely before treating real patients. The specialist keeps the technology running and scenarios realistic, which directly affects the quality of clinical training and learner readiness across nursing and allied health programs.
Because the role bridges clinical content and technical operations, the strongest specialists can program a manikin, fix an AV feed, and partner with faculty on scenario design without missing a beat. When simulation technology fails mid-scenario, the learning fails with it, which is why operational reliability matters so much.
A hiring note from Excelon
Simulation operations hiring rewards people who are equally comfortable with healthcare context and hands-on technology. Through our healthcare practice, we look for specialists with simulation or strong technical backgrounds, ideally CHSOS-credentialed, who can keep a center running and partner well with faculty, since a simulation program is only as reliable as the person operating the technology behind it.
The strongest specialists can program a manikin, fix an AV feed, and partner with faculty on scenario design without missing a beat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Clinical Simulation Specialist do?
A Clinical Simulation Specialist operates and maintains the technology in a healthcare simulation center, setting up scenarios, programming and running high-fidelity manikins and AV systems, and supporting faculty in delivering simulation-based education.
What qualifications does the role require?
This sample role typically requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a health, simulation, or technical field, hands-on experience with simulation or healthcare technology, and strong troubleshooting skills. CHSOS certification is often preferred.
What is high-fidelity simulation?
High-fidelity simulation uses computerized manikins and realistic clinical environments to mimic patient responses, allowing learners to practice clinical skills and decision-making safely before working with real patients.
What standards and certifications apply?
Healthcare simulation aligns with INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice, and many specialists hold the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
Why is this role important?
Simulation lets health-sciences students practice safely before treating real patients. The specialist keeps the technology running and scenarios realistic, which directly affects the quality of clinical training and learner readiness.
Hiring a Clinical Simulation Specialist?
Excelon Associates recruits simulation specialists, simulation operations staff, and health-sciences education talent for universities, colleges, and health systems across the United States through our healthcare recruitment practice. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.