Simulation & IT Specialist, Austin

Basic Function

The Simulation & IT Specialist provides operational and technical support for all operations of Egan Simulation Center and laboratory experiences in Austin Texas. This role is also responsible for inventory management and works closely with the Simulation Educator and Director of Simulation to meet the needs of Egan programs. In addition, the Simulation and IT Specialist provides technical support for classroom technologies, instructional systems, and end-user computing to ensure a seamless teaching and learning experience for faculty and students at the Austin campus.

Knowledge and Skill Needed

• Familiarity with use and maintenance of healthcare and simulation equipment
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with students, faculty and staff
• Proficient ability to navigate various software platforms and simulator technology
• Ability to support classroom audiovisual technologies, as well as Learning Management Systems (Blackboard preferred) and Microsoft Office 365
• Strong customer service, interpersonal skills, and communication skills required
• Ability to lift and move simulation equipment up to 100 pounds

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's Degree or higher in technology, education, health professions or related field
• Experience: 1-year minimum experience in healthcare simulation, at least 2-year experiences in IT/technology work
• Supervision of Personnel: Indirect supervision of student lab assistants, as appropriate
• Reports to: Austin Director of Experiential Learning
• Unusual Work Conditions: Potential exposure to Bloodborne pathogens

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the daily maintenance, safety, cleanliness, organization, and function of the simulation center, including the simulation skills laboratory area
• Sets up, re-stocks, straightens, and breaks down equipment stations and testing areas for all courses
• Organizes space and equipment to be ready for student learning and practice sessions
• Collaborates with simulation educator and faculty to determine educational needs each semester
• Serves as simulator operator by programming, testing, and running scenarios with instructors and facilitators
• Organizes space and equipment to be ready for teaching sessions
• Repairs or resolves a wide variety of problems that may occur with technical equipment
• Escalates problems to vendors, contractors, or university colleagues as needed until a resolution is reached
• Collaborates to develop and improve technology systems for simulation, video viewing, and other needs to increase efficiency and provide better service
• Mentors and trains SIM/LRC staff and faculty on various technologies as well as ITS and technology staff on various learning platforms and other technology
• Oversees technology support staff in delivering various routine services
• Establishes and maintains effective communications networking with other simulation programs and other technology specialists, and vendors about services
• Develops and delivers instructional short courses on the use of supported technology products and provides personalized instruction one-on-one to meet specialized needs
• Creates video tutorials on a variety of subjects related to SIM/LRC services as needed
• Monitors and performs preventive maintenance of equipment according to manufacturers' recommendations
• Monitors scheduled maintenance to ensure that equipment is operational
• Works with manufacturers or vendors to correct equipment deficiencies in order to minimize down time
• Manages inventory levels
• Directs and installs hardware and software updates provided by equipment and software suppliers
• Supports the short-, intermediate-, and long-term teaching, research, and revenue-generating goals of the Center through IT/technical specifications needed
• Establishes and maintains records pertaining to simulation center use, education provided, inventory, and repair and maintenance of simulators
• Maintains student confidentiality
• Collaborates with Director of Simulation regarding purchase of IT equipment and supplies
• Performs other duties as assigned

Compliance

• Accurately and securely manage student and faculty compliance documentation in a secure electronic filing system, ensuring compliance with program, agency, state, University, and accreditation standards
• Monitor adherence to site-specific policies and procedures that students and faculty must meet to complete clinical course work
• Maintain deadlines to submit site-specific attestation letters and additional student/faculty documentation as required
• Assist with scheduling and hiring of Standardized Patients for the Simulation

Technology Support Specialist

• Provide on-site technical support for classroom technology, including instructor workstations, projectors, interactive displays, audio systems, microphones and presentation technologies
• Configure, maintain, troubleshoot and repair classroom technology to ensure reliable operation for instructional activities
• Perform preventative maintenance and routine classroom technology inspections
• Maintain classroom technology standards and equipment inventories
• Support faculty, staff and students in the effective use of instructional technologies
• Assist faculty with classroom technology, instructional software and hybrid teaching environments
• Support technology orientation sessions and training workshops
• Ensure classroom technology provides an equitable experience for both in-person and remote participants
• Collaborate with the Support Services team for classroom, Desktop and Helpdesk technology standards
• Escalate incidents to appropriate ITS teams
• Escalate complex incidents through the ITS Help Desk following established procedures