Simulation Operations Specialist - Medical Education

This position is responsible for the logistics and technical operations of Carolinas Surgical Skills Center (CSSC). Under the direction of the Simulation Education Managers, this position will prepare, organize, and maintain human cadaveric specimens, surgical instruments, and medical devices to support surgeon education, medical student/resident training, and workshops. This role ensures strict compliance with institutional biosafety, OSHA, infection control, and anatomical tissue donor regulations while maintaining donor dignity and ethical standards. This position is a part of Carolinas Simulation Center and may also support manikin-based simulation at various locations around the Charlotte area. 

The Medical Education Technologists/ Simulation Operation Specialist (SOS) role is a professional, team-centered, and collaborative position responsible for providing surgical simulation expertise, training, and support to Advocate Health teammates and collaborators. The SOS provides direct support in the coordination of surgical simulation education curriculum and works in collaboration with faculty, facilitators, vendors, and teammates to develop these offerings. This position requires an individual to work with a high-level of independence, have strong project management, communication and collaboration skills, a willingness to provide superior customer service, and a passion for creating and supporting innovative educational solutions for leaders, faculty, students, residents, and fellows. 

• Collaborates with teammates to create surgical simulation education curricula for use in our undergraduate and graduate medical education programs, Colleges of Health Sciences, Center for Advanced Practice, and the healthcare system as a whole, based on simulation best practice principles. 

• Develops and manages relationships with vendors to provide excellent service and support. 

• Manages project and course timelines and coordinates with others to meet project outcomes. 

• Bioskills & Specimen Management: Prepare, thaw, position, and preserve human cadaveric tissue in compliance with biosafety standards, while managing specimen inventory, chain-of-custody tracking, and final disposition in accordance with tissue bank guidelines and donor dignity. 

• Surgical Instrumentation & Lab Setup: Set up bioskills stations with surgical instruments, power tools, and imaging systems, and maintain equipment through thorough decontamination, inspection, sterilization, and restocking following educational sessions. 

• Coordinate lab logistics before, during, and after surgical skills courses, workshops, or research projects. 

• Order lab consumables, track specimen costs, and liaise with tissue banks, vendors, and facility coordinators 

• Works collaboratively with teammates to promote a culture that values and recognizes the importance of teaching excellence and active student learning by facilitating initiatives that foster collaboration, scholarship, and adoption of innovative and best practices. 

Works in a busy surgical skills lab environment. Regular exposure to human tissue, cadaveric preservation fluids, biohazardous fluids, and sharps requiring full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Physical Requirements: Ability to lift, push, pull, or position heavy items (frequently 50+ lbs) and stand for extended periods during sessions.  Responsible to work in a safe manner. Occasional local travel required.  
 
Education, Experience and Certifications 

High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree preferred. At least 2 years' experience in technology, healthcare, project management, Operating Room, or simulation field preferred. An understanding of human anatomy, sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, biohazard safety procedures, and medical equipment operation preferred. Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.