Jarrod Young, MBA, BSE, CHSOS-A, interim co-director and simulation operations lead at the UTHSC Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation (CHIPS) has received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist-Advanced™ Credential (CHSOS-A) from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Young is among the first cohort of professionals to achieve the distinction. He is also one of 25 individuals worldwide, and one of two in Tennessee with the credential.
“I am honored to be recognized in the inaugural CHSOS-A class.” Young said. “To be recognized as one of the 25 individuals worldwide to reach this mark is quite an honor. I am thankful for all the great influences that I have had along the way in my simulation journey, especially Dr. Chad Epps. Dr. Epps was a steadying force in my journey, and I am thankful for him giving me space to build a portfolio worthy of the credentials and also the constant push to be the best I can for our program.”
Young joined UTHSC in 2016, when Dr. Epps was recruited to lead CHIPS as its executive director. Both worked together previously at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Epps passed away late last year.
CHIPS is the only building of its kind in Tennessee. It was built for and is totally dedicated to training and developing clinical skills through the use of simulation technology. The 45,000-square-foot, three-story building opened in 2018, and is utilized by all six colleges at UTHSC. It is designed to meet the simulation needs of all UTHSC students, residents, professional staff, and clinical partners.
Young currently manages all operations and simulation activity at CHIPS.
“I have been encouraged by the commitment to education and our students by the CHIPS team during this pandemic,” Young said. “Over the last year, our team has been hard at work retooling cases and educational opportunities to safely offer health care simulation opportunities for our learners. We have been committed to readdressing how to best meet the learning objectives of our clients, and we are excited to carry some of these solutions forward once we return to normal operations. I am grateful to be a member of such a great program. The facilities, leadership support, and knowledgeable team members makes CHIPS a wonderful place to work.”
CHSOS-A certification recognizes professionals with advanced skills in an operations specialist role, those who have demonstrated leadership, and individuals who have influenced the health care simulation community beyond their institution. Applicants must have a minimum of five years’ experience in health care simulation and submit a portfolio that is evaluated by health care simulation peers against established standards of performance.
Interim Vice Chancellor, Cindy Russell, said, “Jarrod’s certification demonstrates his commitment to CHIPS and to the field of simulation operations. He continually exceeds expectations and creates innovative programs that stretch beyond standard responsibilities. We are very proud of his accomplishment and look forward to his continued leadership in CHIPS.”
In 2018, Young was the only person in Tennessee who received certification as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. That certification measured health care simulation staff knowledge in simulation concepts, modalities, technologies, program practices, processes and procedures, professional development, instructional design, and theory.
Young received his Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2012 and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee-Martin in 2020. Young also holds a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety from UAB and has experience with quality improvement methodologies such as: Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA, and DMAIC.
“I am most excited to take on a role of mentor and advocate with this certification,” Young said. “I want to continue to encourage others in the simulation world to reach for their dreams and to help them prepare to become successful in their certification endeavors.”