Simulation Operations Specialist - Medical Education

Advocate Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Carolinas Surgical Skills Center in Charlotte, NC, is seeking a hands-on coordinator to manage cadaveric specimens, surgical instruments, and medical devices for surgeon education and student training. You will ensure strict biosafety, OSHA, and anatomical tissue donor compliance while supporting multiple locations around the Charlotte area.

Responsibilities include developing curricula, vendor relations, project timelines, and lab logistics for workshops and research projects, with a focus on

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• At least 2 years' experience in technology, healthcare, project management, OR, or simulation field preferred.
• Understanding of human anatomy, sterile technique, biosafety procedures, and medical equipment operation preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates to create surgical simulation curricula for education programs.
• Develops and manages vendor relationships to provide service and support.
• Manages project and course timelines to meet outcomes.
• Prepare, thaw, position, and preserve human cadaveric tissue in biosafety-compliant ways.
• Set up bioskills stations with instruments, power tools, and imaging systems; maintain equipment and sterilization.
• Coordinate lab logistics before, during, and after courses or research projects.
• Order lab consumables and track specimen costs; liaise with tissue banks and vendors.
• Promote teaching excellence and collaborative learning through initiatives.

Skills

Curriculum development

Vendor management

Project coordination

Bioskills management

Surgical instrumentation

Lab logistics

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

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.

Essential Functions

• 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 other s 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.

Physical Requirements

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).

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.