Community Health Simulation & Research Manager

Description:

Job Description Summary:

• The Community Health Simulation & Research Manager is responsible for leading the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative health equity and community health programming, including simulation-based learning initiatives, at Samuel Merritt University. This position will advance interprofessional education and workforce development efforts focused on medically underserved communities, with particular emphasis on birth equity, human trafficking, public health, and healthcare pathway building.
• This role serves as a bridge between the Center for Community Engagement/Ethnic Health Institute (CCE/EHI) and the Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC), supporting both student-facing and community-facing educational initiatives. This position will collaborate across academic programs, healthcare systems, community organizations, and public health partners to create immersive educational experiences for students and practicing healthcare professionals.
• The position also supports research, scholarship, dissemination, grant activities, and community engagement efforts that position Samuel Merritt University as a national leader in equity-centered simulation and community-engaged healthcare education. Duties and Responsibilities:

I. Simulation and Educational Program Development (50%)

Lead the Design and Implementation of Health Equity Simulations

Lead the collaborative development, implementation, and evaluation of simulation-based learning experiences focused on health equity and community health.

Design immersive learning activities centered on birth equity, human trafficking response, public health, social determinants of health, and pathway building into healthcare professions.

Leads the facilitation of simulation programs in collaboration with faculty.

Develop continuing education and workforce training simulations for current healthcare professionals and community partners in partnership with the HSSC.

Ensure simulation activities reflect evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, simulated participant methodology, and healthcare simulation standards of best practice.

Facilitate pre-briefing, simulation delivery, and debriefing activities aligned with best practices.

Collaborate with HSSC staff, faculty, and simulation technology specialists to support implementation logistics and immersive technologies.

Support the development and facilitation of virtual, in-person, and hybrid simulation learning opportunities.

Uphold the HSSC Policies & Procedures for accreditation purposes.

Interprofessional Education and Faculty Collaboration

Collaborate with faculty across nursing, medicine, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, the HSSC, and other disciplines to integrate health equity simulation into curricula.

Serve as an expert resource on interprofessional education, simulation pedagogy, and health equity-centered educational design.

Support faculty development related to simulation facilitation, debriefing, and inclusive teaching practices.

Assist with university-wide interprofessional education initiatives and strategic priorities.

Maintain and organize a library of health equity simulation scenarios and curricular materials.

Coach and mentor faculty in interprofessional, simulated-participant methodology and simulation best-practice standards.

II. Community Engagement and Workforce Development (30%)

Community and Professional Training Programs

Develop and implement community-facing healthcare workforce trainings focused on serving medically underserved populations, including for CCE/EHI programs like Hypertension & Wellness Sunday.

Partner with healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, schools, and community-based organizations to identify educational needs and collaborative opportunities.

Represent SMU in community health equity initiatives, coalitions, and advocacy efforts.

Support pathway-building initiatives designed to increase representation and workforce diversity in healthcare professions.

Participate in outreach events, educational workshops, health fairs, and youth engagement initiatives.

Program Support for CCE/EHI Initiatives

Support existing Center for Community Engagement and Ethnic Health Institute programs and initiatives, including projects related to birth equity, human trafficking, nutrition equity, hypertension, and community health education.

Assist with planning, implementation, logistics, and evaluation of community-engaged programs and events.

Support alignment between CCE/EHI initiatives and university-wide interprofessional education and health equity priorities.

III. Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination (20%)

Research and Scholarship

Lead and support research efforts evaluating the impact of health equity simulation and community-based educational initiatives, including Community-Based Participatory Research.

Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and community partners on scholarly projects and program evaluation activities.

Collect, analyze, and interpret program outcomes data to support continuous quality improvement and dissemination.

Prepare presentations, manuscripts, reports, and conference submissions to disseminate findings regionally and nationally.

Contribute to establishing SMU as a national leader in health equity simulation and immersive community-engaged education.

Grant and Program Development

Assist with grant writing, funding proposals, reporting, and sustainability planning related to health equity educational initiatives.

Support development of innovative programming aligned with institutional priorities and emerging community health needs.

Maintain awareness of local, state, and national trends related to health equity, simulation education, workforce development, and underserved communities.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in public health, nursing, health sciences, education, social work, or related field required. Doctorate degree preferred.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in health equity programming, simulation education, community health, healthcare workforce development, or related areas.

Experience in interprofessional education.

Experience leading research, scholarship, and dissemination.

Experience designing and facilitating educational programs or simulation-based learning activities.

Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and working with medically underserved communities.

Experience collaborating across disciplines and sectors, including higher education and community organizations.

Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams.

Experience with program evaluation, research, or dissemination activities.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

Experience with interprofessional education initiatives.

Experience with grant writing and funded program management.

Experience working with birth equity, trafficking prevention/response, public health, or community health initiatives preferred.

Clinical experience and/or strong foundational clinical knowledge related to healthcare delivery, patient care, and medically underserved populations.

Skills and Abilities

Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to engage effectively with diverse learners, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving programmatic needs.

Demonstrated cultural humility and commitment to equity-centered practice.

Ability to think creatively and develop innovative educational solutions.

Physical Requirem