Clinical Simulation Laboratory

Mission

To provide participant-centered high-quality simulation experiences that contribute to professional expertise and lifelong learning. We strive to make Simulation services accessible to all allied health participants at our geographically dispersed locations.

Vision & Core Values

Striving to meet the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) guidelines, the multidisciplinary labs will provide high-quality state-of-the-art simulation experiences that will promote collaborative inter-professional learning that contributes to professional development. It supports and enhances statewide healthcare education and will improve patient care and safety across healthcare.

• The simulation program believes that all participants are valuable members of the healthcare team. They will be treated with dignity and respect.
• Simulation experiences should be of high quality and evidenced based while keeping activities participant-centered.
• The simulation environment will be a safe, supportive environment lending to participant participation, reflection, and personal growth.
• Simulation experiences will be facilitated by qualified, dedicated faculty and staff.
• Simulation is used to teach, enhance, reinforce, and apply theory in a clinical setting.
• Simulation experiences have the same expectations and requirements as for all clinical experiences including attendance, preparation and learning outcomes.
• Simulation provides a venue to enhance interprofessional collaboration as it supports participants as they develop in their healthcare roles.
• High-quality debriefing is a responsibility of the simulation program. Good debriefing guides participant self-reflection leading to their personal and professional growth.
• Simulation contributes to the development of participant professional expertise in the areas of problem solving, communication, teamwork and clinical decision making.

The benefits of simulation include:

• Enrichment and enhancement of course content
• Ability to creating practice experiences not readily available in the clinical setting
• Emphasize patient safety
• Build effective communication skills with patients and families
• Providing a safe place that allows participants to make mistakes and learn from their mistakes while not jeopardizing patient safety
• Builds self-confidence
• Reinforces application of theory into practice in an efficient and focused manner
• Encourages reflective thinking by participants in the debriefing process
• Provides “realistic” role playing
• Enhances professional communication and health care team synergy
• Promotes learning through collaboration
• Alignment with the INACSL standards will allow Vermont Technical College to advance to the cutting edge of simulation education