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Course Catalog

SimLEARN is proud to annouce upcoming courses. Course descriptions and class offerings listed below.

Course Detalis


If you are not a VA employee, but are interested in taking a SimLEARN course, please e-mail vasimlearngeneralinformation@va.gov for registration.

Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV (UGPIV) Instructor Training Virtual Course

The SLICE UGPIV course is designed to provide training materials and guidance to help experts teach the use of ultrasound to guide IV insertion. During a four-hour train-the-trainer virtual course, instructors and preceptors will review materials and discuss how to effectively teach with them. Instructors simply need to have 1 year of full time (or 2 years of part time) experience in using ultrasound to start IVs. Resources will be provided, including instructions for room set-up, supplies needed, Power Point presentation with lecture notes, student handouts, activity checklists, skills checklists, a course and precepting manual, and guidance in how to teach the material successfully. Subject matter experts who complete the 4-hour training course will be prepared to teach Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral IV insertion in their own facilities.

*This course is only available to members of the SimLEARN Innovation Center for Education (SLICE) network. Being a part of the SLICE network enables centers to share a multitude of resources, including the ability to teach or request pre-designed courses. There is NO Cost to join or to use these resources but for more information about the SLICE network please contact: VHASimLEARNSLICESupport@va.gov

Virtual Course Details

Ultrasound Guided Peripheral IV (UGPIV)

This blended learning, live training, simulation, and preceptorship course is designed to address the gap identified by the Office of Nursing Services regarding the insertion of ultrasound-guided IV catheters. Using ultrasound guidance during the placement of a peripheral IV for difficult-to-access patients reduces the number of IV attempts, complications, and the need for central venous catheters while it improves patient satisfaction. The goal of this course is to standardize UGPIV insertion across the VHA with the latest in evidence-based practices and increase the number of clinicians trained to use ultrasound-guidance for peripheral IV placement, thus improving the quality of patient care and experiences.

In Person Course Details

Emergency Medicine Procedure Course (EMPC) I/O

The SimLEARN Emergency Management Procedure Course (EMPC) – Intraosseous (IO) Vascular Access aims to assist VHA facilities in improving clinical care and healthcare outcomes for Veterans through an educational initiative on the latest evidence-based best practices. Additionally, a comprehensive VA-wide educational program that addresses the clinically critical issue presented in the course can potentially improve veterans’ clinical care and outcomes by facilitating VHA’s high reliability organization (HRO) goals.

The purpose of this simulation- based training is to educate and train physicians, physician assistants, clinicians, hospitalist and nurse practitioners within emergency departments and in-patients wards on critical procedures. Emergency medicine procedure training would offer immersive learning experience with life-saving emergency procedures that are uncommon due to rare clinical presentation in VA emergency medical centers.

In Person Course Details

Telehealth Mini Residency

VHA facilities may improve healthcare outcomes by training on the best practices presented in the Telehealth Mini-residency course. Additionally, a comprehensive VA-wide educational program that addresses the clinically critical issues presented in the course can potentially improve veterans’ clinical care and outcomes by facilitating VHA’s high reliability organization (HRO) goals.

The purpose of this Virtual training is to establish a standard set of skills to those providing a wide range of healthcare, health information, and education services to our Veterans and provides an overview of the technology necessary to provide patient care through secure video visits. The mini-residency will provide scenario-based simulations in conjunction with interactive discussions surrounding telehealth care. Simulations provide a safe environment to practice the telehealth competencies to improve the remote interactions with Veterans.

The SimLEARN Telehealth Mini-Residency for Providers is for the intended learners to be primary care, urgent care and ED providers. We concluded that providers need more than webinars and TMS courses to realize the full potential of virtual care to transform health services delivery. We want to change attitudes and behaviors as well as teach practical skills. Meeting Veterans care needs at their locations meets several VA Priorities. It increases access and choices for quality, integrated care within the VA.

Virtual Course Details

Foundational Intermediate Care Technician (FICT)

Foundational Intermediate Care Technician (FICT) – Intermediate Care Technicians (ICT) are advanced Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) who have graduated from intensive specialized military medical training programs and served as combat medics, medical technicians, and corpsman. They possess fundamental knowledge, background and experience in emergency medicine, critical care, medical readiness, field medicine, bedside care, and primary care. The purpose of the FICT course is to build upon foundational knowledge through modules, medical experiences, skills labs, and simulation-based education to prepare ICTs for their role in the Emergency Department. Department of Defense (DoD) Combat Medics, Medical Technicians, and Corpsmen all have diverse clinical experiences depending on the mission, conflict, assignments, and training opportunities throughout their enlistment. Therefore, the objective of the FICT course is to target knowledge gaps (which often exist upon their separation) in a civilian population with complex medical conditions, connections with community services, and geriatric syndromes. The FICT course has three main modules of focus: Geriatric Emergency Medicine, Medication Administration, and Advanced Minor Procedures (i.e. simple wound closure and incision/drainage).

In Person Course Details

Introduction to Clinical Simulation (ICS)

The purpose of this face-to-face (FTF) simulation training is to address the gap in qualified clinicians who can facilitate healthcare training using simulation. This course provides a theoretical foundation for simulation-based training by combining didactic, small group, and hands-on simulation activities. Participants can develop the skills necessary to design, develop, implement, and debrief simulation-based healthcare training scenarios in their work centers.

In Person Course Details

Introduction to Clinical Simulation Virtual Training (vICS)

This blended learning training provides a theoretical foundation for simulation-based training by combining didactic, small group, and hands-on simulation activities. Participants can develop the skills necessary to design, develop, implement, and debrief simulation-based healthcare training scenarios in their work centers.

Virtual Course Details

Out of Operating Room Airway Management – Instructor Course (OOORAM-I)

This course is the Out of Operating Room Airway Management course for Instructors. This course will be launched via the LMS platform Moodle and learners will be required to sign up for the class via the Moodle platform. The course will introduce site specific locations that have applied and granted access to the contents of the Out of Operating Room Airway Management Simulator Operators Guide (SOG). The successful navigation of this course (OOORAM-I) is a pre-requisite to gain access to be completed before enrolling in the OOORAM 2.0 course

In Person Course Details

Out of Operating Room Airway Management (OOORAM 2.0)

This course provides an application-based foundation for providing instruction within traditional modalities, as well as simulation based training by combining lecture, discussion, practical exercises, and hands-on simulation activities. Participants will develop the skills necessary to provide traditional instruction geared toward adult learners, conduct simulation-based healthcare training scenarios, and be able to thoroughly debrief such events during SimLEARN training programs in their work centers.

In Person Course Details

Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

The Purpose of Trauma Nurse Core Course is to teach Registered Nurses core level knowledge and psychomotor skills, which are defined as central or key elements of the multidimensional processes involved in the initial assessment and management of sick or injured patients. TNCC also provides a foundation for integrated communication and collaboration in identifying and treating the sick or injured. The intent of TNCC is to help the nurse develop a rapid and accurate approach when caring for the ill or injured patient. TNCC consists of lectures, hands-on psychomotor skill stations and interactive online learning. TNCC is based on the nursing process, which is emphasized through the components of the course.

Virtual Course Details

Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS)

The purpose of this face-to-face (FTF) simulation training is to address the gap in qualified clinicians who can facilitate fundamental critical support healthcare using simulation. This course introduces principles important in the initial care of critically ill/injured patients to physicians, physicians-in-training, nurses, and other healthcare providers who may or may not be skilled in critical care but who must deliver care required for early stabilization and in anticipation of the arrival of an intense visit, specialist, or pending transfer of a patient to a tertiary care center.

In Person Course Details

SimLEARN Opioid Prevention Education (SLOPE): Addiction Mini-Residency

The purpose of this face-to-face (FTF) training is to addresses multiple VA national priorities such as limited access to addiction experts and a lack of access to appropriate clinical training sites. The mini-residency will provide scenario-based simulations in conjunction with existing didactic OUD training. Simulations provide a safe environment to discuss potentially uncomfortable direct conversations with Veterans. Finally, the training will focus on accepting responsibility at a different level, shifting the practice model, building relationships, changing the attitudes, increasing access to Veterans, and removing care barriers. Training addresses the knowledge and skills necessary to instill agency and optimism regarding the treatment of addiction.

Virtual Course Details

SimLEARN Faculty Instructor Course (SFIC)

The purpose of this face-to-face (FTF) simulation training is to address the gap in qualified clinicians who can facilitate healthcare training within a traditional classroom setting, as well as using simulations. The use of simulation is wide spread in healthcare education. However, there remains a need for effective simulation educators who can integrate simulation into training programs at VA healthcare facilities. Research studies have repeatedly shown that clinicians who participate in healthcare training using simulation have a higher confidence level in their skills. This course provides an application-based foundation for providing instruction within traditional modalities, as well as simulation based training by combining lecture, discussion, practical exercises, and hands-on simulation activities. Participants will develop the skills necessary to provide traditional instruction geared toward adult learners, conduct simulation-based healthcare training scenarios, and be able to thoroughly debrief such events during SimLEARN training programs in their work centers.

In Person Course Details

MSK Telehealth (MSKV)

This course provides clinicians with a framework necessary to perform telehealth shoulder and knee examination. Participants will review the common musculoskeletal complaints presented during patient care, practice using the verbal instructions delivered to Veterans before and during the virtual musculoskeletal physical examination and provide a diagnosis based upon virtual observations.

Virtual Course Details

Cardiac Toolbox ECG Facilitator Intro

Introduction to the Pre-Test and ECG Interpretation Course for their students. Prerequisite for RS: Cardiac Toolbox ECG Educator.

Virtual Course Details

Cardiac Toolbox ECG Educator

The purpose of the Educator Cardiac Toolbox is to further the knowledge and skills of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care providers tasked with reading a cardiac strip. The training will address the main features and method to analyze Electrocardiograms (ECG). The analysis method includes assessment of rhythm, calculating heart rate, observing P-wave forms, measurement of intervals and segments and the evaluation of other relevant waves.

Virtual Course Details

Cardiac Toolbox ECG Interpretation

This toolbox was developed by the Assessment Collaboration Outreach (ACO) branch of SimLEARN to facilitate critical crisis skills of ECG interpretation for those caring for our Veterans. The educational opportunity is intended to provide multiple modalities to accommodate various learning styles and timeliness. There are virtual learning opportunities, a self -paced website that includes practice, a power point, and a quick guide for ECG interpretation. Feel free to utilize the components of the toolbox separately or in tandem as appropriate for your facility.

Virtual Course Details

Cardiac Toolbox ECG Blended Learning

This toolbox program was developed by the Assessment Collaboration and Outreach (ACO) branch of SimLEARN to facilitate critical crisis skills of ECG interpretation for those caring for our Veterans. The educational opportunity is intended to provide multiple modalities to accommodate various learning styles and timeliness. This course is a classroom learning opportunity taught by local facility trainers using lecture and power point, to improve learner skills in ECG interpretation.

Virtual Course Details