Courses

Kids Simulation Australia courses support health professionals to improve their knowledge and skills in caring for neonatal and paediatric patients across the state.

Kids Simulation Australia also provides and supports courses aimed at developing neonatal and paediatric simulation faculty.

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Simulation Faculty Development: Simulation Essentials (Blended Learning Course)

Simulation Faculty Development: Simulation Essentials is designed to enhance healthcare workers’ ability to deliver safe and effective, simulation-based, paediatric education. This course will introduce the key principles of simulation-based learning. Participants will develop knowledge and skills in the development and implementation of simulation with a paediatric focus, that is effective for staff education, assists with validating research, enhances patient safety and mitigates risks in paediatric healthcare.

Course Learning Objectives

1. Develop knowledge of the scope of simulation in testing, investigating, and training to improve patient outcomes in a paediatric setting.

2. Comprehend the process for development and implementation of simulation-based programs in the paediatric context.

3. Design, deliver and debrief a paediatric simulation-based activity within a safe learning environment.

Course Components

This program has 2 main components: check points and self-directed modules (SDM).  Check points are face to face time with your Simulation Coordinator and other experienced faculty.  This may occur in person or virtually.  The SDM’s are composed of three types of resources:

• Subject video presentations or lectures

• Relevant literature

• Reflective practice opportunities to enable you to identify areas of development at your next check point.  

The Simulation Essentials program will guide you in creating, delivering, and debriefing a simulation scenario with support from Kids Simulation Australia faculty.  

Outline of Course modules

Check Point # 1

SDM1: Simulation Theory

Check Point # 2

SDM2: Scenario Design

Check Point # 3

SDM3: Introduction to Debriefing

Check Point # 4

In situ Scenario Pilot

Check Point # 5

Who should attend?

The course is aimed at SCHN staff who are interested in using simulation for investigating, testing and training to improve patient safety.

Timeframe

The program is designed to be self-paced, however, it is recommended to be completed within 6 months.  The Check Point meetings will probably run 30-60 minutes; however, this can be negotiated with KSA Faculty. 

Insitu Scenario Pilot

The scenario will be developed as participant’s progress through the program.  

Getting Started (You can start anytime)

If you are interested in enrolling in the program, contact either of the Simulation Coordinators via their details below:

KSA Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick

Carolyn Smith
Carolyn.smith@health.nsw.gov.au
(02) 9382 1868

KSA Children’s Hospital Westmead

Caleb Lapointe
Caleb.lapointe@health.nsw.gov.au
(02) 9845 0445

Simulation Faculty Development Workshop (3 Day Boston Children’s Hospital & Starship Simulation Program)

Convened By:

Nichola Concannon Jane Cichero Trish Wood Carolyn Smith

This 3 day workshop will focus on practical ways of developing/improving your simulation skills including;
adult education, program design, running high fidelity simulation and debriefing. The course content includes:

• Approaches to Crisis Resource Management (CRM) training

• Adult learning theory
• Building a CRM course
• The art of debriefing
• Debriefing practice exercises
• Designing CRM scenarios
• Innovative applications of paediatric simulation

Who should attend?

Clinicians involved in clinical education for acutely unwell or injured infants and children and looking to improve quality and safety systems in their local programs

Preference is given to partnerships or mini teams (Doctor and Nurse) attending the course,
so please register with a colleague where possible.
Should you choose to progress your application there is an expectation that you will contribute to ongoing education for Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network simulation programs.

Course Dates

To be advised
Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick

Cost

• Medical - $3750.00 (incl. GST)
• Nursing - $575.00 (incl. GST)

 

Note: To ensure our simulation programs develop and sustain a strong multidisciplinary approach, the course cost is varied according to professional role.
Medical participants (including those eligible for TESL) are charged a higher rate to support Nursing participants which is at a much lower cost.

**Attention to Registrants**
The registration process and cancellation policy for the Simulation Faculty Development Workshop (3 Day Boston Children’s Hospital Simulator Program) varies from Kids Simulation Australia’s general policies.
Please see further information below:

• Spaces are limited as there is a high demand for our courses - be sure to secure your place by registering early.
• Completion of the webform registers your expression of interest to attend a course.

  We'll email your confirmation once your registration is approved.
• Placement is confirmed and guaranteed for the course date nominated once fees are paid in advance.
  Fees are due to be paid in full within fourteen (14) days of course offering.

Cancellations and refunds

• Cancellation 3 months prior to the commencement of the course, will incur a cancellation fee of 20% of the total course fee (incl. GST).
• Cancellation 2 months prior to the commencement of the course, will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total course fee (incl. GST).
• No refunds will be issued if a candidate cancels within 6 weeks of the course commencing.
• Application for a refund must be made in writing and sent to Kids Simulation Australia.
• Participants who fail to attend or complete the training session will not be entitled to any refund or credit.

 

A Big Day About Small Airways

Convened by Dr. Andrew Weatherall

This course is all about managing the paediatric airway. For those who feel like experts or need a refresher, or for those who work with children all the time or just see them occasionally; this is a whole day devoted to providing better care to children. This one day program focusses on what is really different about the paediatric airway, the latest evidence on safely managing a paediatric airway, as well as tips and tricks from experienced paediatric experts. This hands-on, interactive course will include time for discussion, time for hands on skills and lots of teamwork and simulation to invigorate your practice.

Who Should Attend?

This course is aimed at both doctors and nurses involved in anaesthetic and/or critical care specialties who are involved in airway care. You do not need to be working at a tertiary paediatric centre or doing full-time paediatrics to be a part of this course.

Maximum of 12 participants per course
**Please note – spaces are limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged.         

Learning Outcomes

• To understand the particular challenges of paediatric airway care.
• To revise the basic assessment and management skills that underpins excellent airway care.
• To develop advanced airway techniques that can help you look after your paediatric patient.
• To develop the teamwork skills that will make you a more effective clinician.

Cost

• Medical - $990.00 (incl. GST)
• Nursing - $330.00 (incl. GST) 

Course dates

TBA

 

Managing Emergencies in Paediatric Anaesthesia (MEPA) for consultants

Convened by Dr Sally Wharton

MEPA is designed to provide a comprehensive update in paediatric anaesthesia and resuscitation. Participants will develop management strategies for dealing with emergencies in paediatric anaesthesia.

The course is a one day interactive program utilising medium and high fidelity simulation, and using expert peer-reviewed scenarios.

It is an opportunity to gain knowledge, share experiences and practice skills.

Who should attend?

This course is designed for those consultants who have an occasional paediatric list, provide out of hours care or may be involved in the care of sick children in their practice.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate competency in newborn and paediatric resuscitation.
• Develop and demonstrate effective management of common and serious emergencies in paediatric anaesthesia.
• Develop skills in effective team leadership, team work and communication during emergencies.

Course dates

Cost

• Medical:  $990.00 (incl. GST) 

Maximum six participants per course. Early registration is encouraged.

Click here to see course flyer

Paediatric BASIC

Convened by Dr. Elena Cavazzoni

Paediatric BASIC is a 2-day course covering essential and fundamental aspects of Paediatric Critical Care. The aim of the course is for the candidate to be able to implement the principals of ongoing management of the critically ill child, post the resuscitation and stabilisation phase.

The Paediatric BASIC course has been endorsed by the College of Intensive Care medicine. A course manual will be mailed to participants prior to the course. Mandatory pre-course MCQ to be completed

Lectures will be in the mornings followed by workshops in the afternoon, and will include:

• Mechanical ventilation
• Airway management
• Resuscitation scenarios
• Paediatric Trauma
• Vascular and intra-osseous access

The aim of the course is for the candidate to be able to implement the principals of ongoing management of the critically ill child, post the resuscitation and stabilisation phase.

Topics covered include:

• Airway management
• Acute respiratory failure
• Mechanical ventilation
• Haemodynamic monitoring
• Management of shock
• Severe sepsis
• Interpretation of arterial blood gases
• Transport of critically ill patients
• Severe trauma
• Neurological emergencies
• Oliguria & acute renal failure
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Arrhythmias
• Nutrition
• Sedation and analgesia
• Venous thromboembolic disease
• Stress ulceration
• Cardiovascular and respiratory physiology
• Metabolic & electrolyte disturbances
• Ongoing care of the critically ill patient

Who should attend?

• Doctors and nurses who need to respond to deteriorating children.
• Junior Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) doctors.
• Senior trainees in general paediatrics or emergency medicine.
• Paediatric MET team responders.
• Senior PICU nurses.

Course dates - TBA

Kids Simulation Australia

The Children's Hospital at Westmead
1 Hainsworth St, WESTMEAD NSW 2145

Cost

• Nursing/Paramedical - $450.00 (incl. GST)
• Medical- $650.00 (incl. GST)

 

Paediatric Neuro-Critical Care - Beyond BASIC

Convened by Dr. Elena Cavazzoni, Dr. Nitesh Singhal, Dr. Michaela Waak and Dr. Anthony Slater

The course is a two-day programme focusing on managing paediatric patients with an acute brain injury or at risk of neurological problems.
The focus of the course will be on structured assessment, communication, neuro-resuscitation, neuro-protection and neuro-monitoring to guide management of these patients.
Emphasis will be placed on brain-directed critical care from presentation at hospital through to discharge from PICU

The course is comprised of lectures and workshops which include:

• Course outline/paediatric NCC
• Basics of neuro physiology
• Refractory status epilepticus
• cEEG in ICU
• Refractory ICP in TBI
• Resuscitation post-cardiac arrest including TTM
• Acute ischaemic stroke
• Life after PICU - rehabilitation
• Pharmacotherapy in neuro-critical care
• Acute haemorrhagic stroke
• Encephalitis/meningitis - approach with emphasis on autoimmune encephalitis
• Neuroprognostication

Skills stations will include:

• Case discussion: Refractory status epilepticus/ischaemic stroke
• Neuroimaging: How to recognise life-threatening neurological emergencies
• EEG for critical care staff
• Neuromonitoring– ICP monitoring-EVD/Codman, NIRS, brain tissue oxygen monitoring.

Who should attend?

Some experience in looking after critically unwell children is required.

• Intensive care physicians
• Emergency Department physicians
• ICU/Emergency Department nurses

Course dates

TBA

Cost

• Nursing- $250 (incl. GST)
• Medical- $500 (incl. GST)

Paediatric Nursing: It's as easy as ABCd Part 1 & 2

Convened by Nicole Mangion

Course Overview: 

Paediatric Nursing: It’s as easy as ABCd is designed to enhance the healthcare workers ability to recognise and treat a clinically deteriorating child.  The program will focus on the differences between the adult and paediatric patient, signs of deterioration and subsequent management.

The course is a two day interactive program utilising medium and high fidelity simulation, and using real life scenarios.

Learning Objectives:

1. Confidently discuss physiological differences of children as opposed to adults.
2. Increase knowledge of paediatric medication and intravenous fluids.
3. Confidently detect signs of clinical deterioration and apply appropriate management in a paediatric patient.
4. Explore the differences associated with Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support and how this differs from Paediatric Life Support.
5. Discuss the uses and administration of various resuscitation medications.
6. To practice within a safe simulated learning environment.
7. Develop skills in effective team leadership, team work and communication during emergencies.

 Who Should Attend?

The program is aimed at nurses who provide acute care to children in a non-paediatric tertiary hospital setting in a limited capacity.  Nurses interested in paediatric nursing who do not currently work within this field are also encouraged to attend.

Course dates & Times

• Part 1 - Friday 11th of August 2023
• Part 2 - Friday 29th of September 2023

Both days start at 0800 and finish at 1600

Cost:

• $480.00 (incl. GST, morning tea, and lunch).

 Maximum of 12 participants.

bookings will be made through Eventbrite, in the event of cancellation by KSA participants will receive a full refund.
In the event of a participant withdrawing, a 10% booking fee will be retained by Eventbrite.

 

Perioperative Paediatrics (PoPPi) for Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses

Convened by Dr Sally Wharton

PoPPi is designed to provide a comprehensive update for anaesthetic and recovery nursing staff who are involved in the care of paediatric patients.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain specific knowledge and skills required to manage children in the perioperative period.

The course is a one-day interactive program utilising medium and high fidelity simulation, and using real life scenarios.

Who should attend?

This course is designed for anaesthetic and recovery nursing staff caring for children in non-tertiary paediatric hospitals.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the specific differences between adults and children, with particular emphasis on airway management.
• Revise and practice paediatric resuscitation.
• Recognise and effectively manage common issues and serious emergencies that occur in children in the perioperative period.
• Develop skills in effective team leadership, team work and communication during emergencies

Course dates

• 15th of November

• Children's Hospital at Westmead 
  

Cost

• Nursing: $320.00 (incl. GST)

Tiny Tots Trauma

Convened by Dr. S Soundappan

Tiny Tots Trauma is a one day course, aimed to provide practitioners involved in the stabilisation and transfer of injured children with an opportunity to practice and reflect on the management of paediatric trauma emergencies within the context of a simulated environment. By applying a structured approach to the early assessment, resuscitation and ongoing management of the injured child, participants will have the opportunity to work together and strengthen the efficiency within the trauma team roles that they may maximise improved outcomes in paediatric trauma.

Who should attend?

This course is aimed at all doctors, nurses and paramedics who are involved in the early assessment, stabilisation and transfer of injured children.

Learning outcomes:

• Recognise the key mechanisms of paediatric trauma and how they affect the pathophysiology of injuries in children.
• Recognise the key elements of improving outcomes in paediatric trauma.
• Demonstrate a structured approach to the assessment, resuscitation and management of the injured child.
• Recognise the severity of injuries in children and the need to refer/call for help.
• Demonstrate effective team work in relation to the management of the injured child, including role allocation, leadership & clear and direct communication.

Course dates

• TBA

Cost

• SCHN Staff  – no charge
• Non-SCHN Nursing/Paramedical– $300.00 (incl. GST)
• Non-SCHN Medical– $450.00 (incl. GST)

Advanced Neonatal Resuscitation Simulation Training

Convened by Dr Ahmed Moustafa

This course is aimed at the advanced practitioner and involves the stabilisation of neonates with varying conditions including; congenital heart disease, severe cyanosis, rhythm disturbances and the extremes of prematurity.

Who should attend?

This course is aimed at doctors and nurses involved in the advanced stabilisation of neonates. Participants will work through simulated neonatal emergencies in teams throughout the day and so, we strongly encourage teams to attend this course together where possible.

Previous neonatal resuscitation training is required.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication during a neonatal resuscitation.
• Identify and manage complex neonatal resuscitation within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate effective management of available resources.
• Understand the relevance of accurate placental histopathology in neonatal resuscitation.

Course dates

• Thursday 2nd of November 2023
  
• the Children's Hospital at Westmead

 

Cost

• SCHN Staff  – no charge
• Non-SCHN Nursing/Midwifery – $280.00 (incl. GST)
• Non-SCHN Doctors  – $450.00 (incl. GST)

Click here to register your interest