Lab Manager

The Office of Academic Programs (OAP) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of
Nursing (SoN) provides educational opportunities for students in four programs (BSN, MN,
DNP, PhD) on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses throughout the academic year, including
fall, spring, and summer semesters. The Lab Manager reports to the SoN Director of Simulation
and works in collaboration with faculty to ensure laboratory and simulation learning activities
are effectively scheduled and supported, makes project requests to simulation centers on the
Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, designs instructor facilitation guides and lab set-up guides,
ensures precise lab setup for all learning activities, provides hands-on support during laboratory
sessions (3703, 3705, 5029) as needed for the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, maintains
appropriate quantities of necessary supplies, and ensure the maintenance of fully operational
equipment (e.g., manikins, IV pumps, nursing equipment). This position requires travel to the
Rochester campus one day per week for lab oversight.

The Lab Manager is expected to stay abreast of new technology and resources, including
immersive virtual reality (IVR) and other extended reality (XR) technologies, and inform faculty
of new developments in health and nursing simulation. This individual will remain up to date on
current clinical best practices across various nursing practice settings.

This position requires education and licensure as a Registered Nurse. The individual will be
involved in the education of professional nurses and will serve as a role model to students.

Detailed Responsibilities:

Experiential Learning (50%)

• Coordination for Experiential Learning:
  • Schedule and oversee weekly NUR 3703, 3705, and 5029 laboratory course team meetings to ensure the needs of laboratory courses are identified and met for each class session.
  • Schedule and oversee simulation team meetings with course faculty and/or simulation team instructors to coordinate and ensure the successful facilitation of all scheduled simulation learning experiences on both campuses. Ensure adequate staff coverage to prepare the lab for lab and simulation learning activities across the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses.
  • Coordinate and provide staffing for non-course-related simulation activities on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, as directed by the Director of Simulation.
• Coordination of Simulation Learning Experiences:
  • In collaboration with course faculty, coordinate the preparation of all project requests for simulation centers on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses for student learning in pre-licensure and graduate courses; meet deadlines for project requests.
  • Ensure course faculty and/or Simulation Team Instructors are prepared with simulation set-up and facilitation guides and all required simulation resources for each simulation learning experience.
  • Ensure the course faculty and/or Simulation Team Instructors are provided with the required simulation supplies prior to scheduled simulation days.
  • Provide on-site support for simulation learning experiences across both the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, ensuring equitable coverage by scheduling time on each campus as needed, while prioritizing presence during key simulation
    activities.
• Customer Service and Relationship Building:
  • Provide excellent customer service to external and internal constituencies.
  • Maintain effective working relationships and ensure faculty, teaching assistant, teaching specialist, and student satisfaction with services, support, and communication.
  • Adapt to diverse people, perspectives, work styles, and work structures.

Supervision (15%)

• Coordinate the equitable annual hiring process of undergraduate student lab workers for both the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses in collaboration with HR.
• Manage student worker schedules to support lab/class activities, including setup, facilitation, and cleanup of lab simulations and other related activities.
• Provide oversight and mentoring for graduate students teaching assistants for all lab and simulation activities, including accurate setup, learning station staging, and
  troubleshooting.
  • Evaluate and promote the professional development of student workers.
  • Maintain accurate and timely reports for program evaluation and track lab and simulation activities as directed by the Director of Simulation, ensuring data is organized and
    accessible for ongoing assessment and improvement.

Training (15%)

• Technology and Simulation Training:
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of supplies, equipment, and technology used in the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses' labs.
  • Coordinate and manage training for staff, faculty, and students on using simulation equipment and IVR/XR technologies.
  • Coordinate and manage training for course faculty and/or simulation team orientation and training for the simulation centers of the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses.
  • Stay current on developments in health and nursing simulation, including new simulation technologies, and inform faculty of advancements.
  • Provide instructional materials, user guidelines, and ensure timely updates.

Adequate Resources, Supplies, and Learning Environments (10%)

• Ensure reliable inventory management of supplies, equipment, and technologies to meet the needs of the laboratory classes on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses.
• Manage the ordering and receipt process for supplies, in accordance with University and School of Nursing policies.
• Collaborate with faculty to obtain additional educational resources such as software, audiovisual resources and all lab equipment.
• Maintain the functionality of all equipment and technology and arrange for timely repairs when necessary.
• Ensure that the learning environments across both campuses are clean, safe, and
  operational.

Quality and Safety (10%)

• Participate in developing relevant policies, procedures, and practices for the lab work environment.
• Ensure safety guidelines and practices follow Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) standards.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation, including guidelines, manuals, and policies related to simulation activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, health sciences, educational technology, or a related field and three or more years of related professional experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience managing or supporting simulation-based learning environments, healthcare labs, or related educational settings.
• Rochester campuses to support lab operations and coordination.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage complex schedules, equipment, and multiple concurrent activities in a fast-paced academic setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to independently commute on a weekly basis to both the Twin Cities and
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the use, maintenance, and integration of immersive virtual reality (IVR) and extended reality (XR) technologies (e.g., virtual
  reality headsets, augmented reality tools, mixed reality platforms) in simulation or educational contexts.
• Proven ability to train faculty, staff, and learners in the use of IVR/XR technology, ensuring accessibility, safety, and pedagogical alignment.
• Master's degree in nursing, education, instructional design, or a related field.
• Experience in nursing or healthcare education, including simulation scenario development, facilitation, and debriefing support.
• Familiarity with INACSL Standards of Best Practice: Simulation and simulation accreditation processes.
• Experience supervising or mentoring student employees
• Comfort with troubleshooting technology and working with vendors or IT support to maintain high-fidelity simulation and XR equipment.

Founded in 1909 and recognized as the first nursing program established within a university, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing continues to lead the profession into the future. With a mission to generate knowledge and educate leaders to shape the future of nursing and advance health care to improve the health and wellbeing of all, the school and its research are addressing health issues and improving health. With nearly $6 million in National Institutes of Health awards to the School of Nursing and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing in 2019, the University of Minnesota rose to 10th in the latest ranking of NIH funding to schools of nursing.

The school is ranked among the top programs in nurse midwifery and nursing informatics, and it is internationally renowned for its efforts to improve health and health care through the use of big data. The School was one of nine nursing schools nationally awarded the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine in 2020.

The University of Minnesota has one of the largest, more comprehensive academic health centers in the nation. While robust scholarly inquiry is central to the School of Nursing's mission, it is enhanced by interprofessional collaboration with schools and colleges within the University and its health sciences schools comprised of pharmacy, medicine, public health, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

Pay Range: $45,479.84 - 68,068.67; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).