Cassandra Schafer, right, a practical nursing student at Lethbridge Polytechnic assesses Jeannie Sallenback during a mock simulation on Oct. 17. Photo by Bee Killoh.

Urgency hums throughout the room and medical professionals dart between patients and supplies. The Simulations Hub at Lethbridge Polytechnic mimics the feel of an emergency room, as well as many other medical scenarios.

Simulated learning allows students to safely explore the kinds of situations their future careers will place them in. The simulations run multiple times throughout the school year for various healthcare programs such as paramedics, health care aide, practical nursing and more.

Frederick Manaloto is a simulations specialist at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Manaloto assures the correct software is running correctly, as well as assists with setup, cameras and audio.

 “Simulations have helped bridge that gap between theory and lab practice,” says Manaloto.

According to Manaloto, 90 per cent of student feedback says the simulations are a good experience for practice. The student feedback has also revealed the simulations are a healthy environment to make mistakes. Stephanie Donovan, a student in the Health Care Aide program, agrees it is a safe learning environment.

The hands-on environment of each simulation is the key factor in student learning. Like many others, Donovan is a visual and hands-on learner. “The simulations are really good for me to be able to get a feel for how it’s like in real life, so I can really understand what I’m learning.”

Today the Simulation Hub helps students adopt the latest technology. They have robotic manikins as well as virtual and augmented reality to help students learn. Manaloto says this is a blessing and a curse, as technology can provide a more realistic approach to certain situations. However, he notes the technology can also be a curse as it removes the human elements out of these situations.

“Human connection is still what makes simulations so unique,” says Manaloto.

The importance of human connections is why the actors’ playing patients are the true heroes of the simulations.

The Simulation Hub also provides opportunities for student volunteering. Whether it is acting, setting up, cleaning or something else, they have something for all students. All volunteering is scheduled by the person signing up to assist, so they work with everyone’s schedule. Manaloto encourages anyone interested to visit the second floor of the Technologies building at Lethbridge Polytechnic to check out the simulations space. Just outside the hub is a QR code that takes the scanner to the volunteer sign-up.

Manaloto encourages everyone to get involved in simulated learning if given the opportunity.

“It will definitely change their perspective on how simulation is being run and taught in applied learning,” Manaloto says.

The Simulation Hub has been aiding student learning since Lethbridge Polytechnic began. It has seen multiple institution name changes and the evolution of the health care industry. They have gone from gas powered mannequins to robotic ones, as well as other technology upgrades.

The Simulations Hub is truly a hidden gem at Lethbridge Polytechnic, Manaloto and the rest of the staff say. They encourage everyone to check them out to volunteer, to learn more about what they do, or even just to say hello.