Algonquin College’s innovative Health Studies Simulation Centre opened in 2004 in Ottawa, Canada. This unique facility consists of a 9-bed ACU, 3-bed ICU and fully equipped operating room with a mix of low fidelity task trainers, high fidelity manikins and standardized patient actors. The centre has a team of 7 instructors, two technologists and a simulation lab coordinator, contributing to the high quality of simulation education delivered to groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students across healthcare programs. Simulations range from basic psychomotor skills training to interprofessional team training and evaluation.
Algonquin College is the Hub of Excellence in Perioperative Nursing and uses simulation education to provide training for providers in rural and remote areas. Algonquin College has also developed expertise in using simulation to assess and offer educational opportunities for Internationally Educated Nurses, remediation experiences, critical care and emergency room nurse training, interprofessional team training in the community and faculty development workshops for simulation.
Research is active at the Health Studies Simulation Centre, which provides a platform for Applied Research projects with local healthcare organizations, industry partners, and students completing their graduate research studies.