The Olson Centre for Health Simulation uses simulation training to improve patient safety, quality of care, health care, and human services education.
Simulation-based health education bridges classroom learning to clinical practice. You’ll take part in structured, realistic simulation experiences and apply your knowledge and practice technical skills, communication, and clinical judgment in real time. These learning experiences take place within a controlled and psychologically safe setting. After each simulated experience, guided debriefing sessions will help you critically reflect on your experience, connect theory to practice, and build professional skills and judgement.
Experience the Olson Centre for Health Simulation
Our mission
The Olson Centre for Health Simulation supports workforce readiness through the integration of applied critical thinking, competencies, and knowledge to prepare front-line professionals for Alberta and beyond.
Our vision
The Olson Centre for Health Simulation and its partners remain at the leading edge of immersive education through a research-based, learner-centered environment.
Facilities
The Olson Centre for Health Simulation is a purpose-built, 2,000 square-foot simulation environment featuring four simulation theatres and dedicated debriefing spaces, including:
- Three acute care simulation rooms
- Four debrief rooms
- One community-based care simulation room
- One Virtual Reality (VR) simulation room
These spaces are designed to replicate real-world clinical and community settings, allowing you to practice skills, apply knowledge, and engage in decision-making within a safe, controlled environment.
Simulated Participant program
Are you interested in helping students learn as part of our Simulated Participant (SP) team? An SP is a trained person who acts as a patient, family member, or another role you’d find in a healthcare or human services setting. They help students learn by taking part in practice activities and evaluations.
The SP program at the Olson Centre for Health Simulation provides all the structure, training and support you’ll need to do the role well and positively contribute to learning. Auditions are held twice a year, in August and February/March. As an SP, you will be matched to simulation scenarios that best suit your background, interests, and demographics. You may be eligible for an honorarium each time you take part in a simulated experience.
Standards and commitments
The Olson Centre for Health Simulation follows Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (HSSOBP), recognized interprofessional education competencies, and the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) Standards of Best Practice.
The Centre is a signatory to the Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics, affirming our commitment to integrity, psychological safety, equity, and professional accountability in all simulation activities.
Olson Centre for Health Simulation
Appointments can be made in person or by phone.