Director, Instructional Design & Simulation

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is committed to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health through educating the cardiovascular care team utilizing the latest and most impactful methods and technologies. The Senior Manager, Instructional Design & Simulation is pivotal for overseeing the approaches for designing engaging and innovative live, digital and simulation-based educational activities like interactive patient cases, professional debates, and hands-on simulation to address knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance opportunities. Leveraging adult learning principles, best practices, and simulation experience, the team leader will oversee a small team of Instructional Designers and manage the curation and design of divisional curriculum and grant-supported activities. This role is intended to serve as a bridge among Education teams to leverage the various resources for the greatest impact. This role also oversees ACC’s Simulation Work Group, ensuring the integration of cutting-edge simulation technologies and methodologies into ACC’s educational offerings.

This position is based in Washington, DC where we have a hybrid work environment (two days per week in the office).

Major Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with clinical subject matter experts (SMEs), apply instructional design theories and methods, and utilize multimedia tools to enhance the learning process.
• Create engaging learning activities and appropriate delivery formats (live, online, blended, and simulation) and compelling course content that enhances knowledge retention and transfer.
• Develop simulation scenarios and oversee the implementation and evaluation of simulation-based educational activities.
• Provide adult learning subject matter expert (SME) coaching to ensure content and delivery method achieve stated learning objectives and goals.
• Collaborate with needs assessment staff to conduct instructional research and identify target audience’s training needs.
• Decide on the criteria used to judge learners’ performance and develop assessment instruments.
• State instructional goals and create content that aligns with objectives and intended outcomes.
• Use storyboarding to visualize instructional content and graphics, the user experience, and the finished product.
• Apply tested instructional design theories, practice and methods.
• Integrate simulation technologies and methodologies to enhance learning experiences and outcomes, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), simulated patients, and other interactive simulations.
• Build relationships and work collaboratively with members and staff, leveraging strong interpersonal skills and subject matter expertise to influence and guide decision making.
• Manage a team of Instructional Designers, creating an environment that allows staff to grow and thrive while driving performance.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Learning Content Management System (LCMS) functionality and apply that understanding to facilitate efficient educational design, development, and delivery.
• Maintain project documentation and course folders.
• Suggest content repurposing ideas to broaden reach and create new revenue streams.
• As a member organization, it’s critical that we support and partner with our members when they are available. This person will need to work outside of normal business hours on occasion, in order to fulfil member and program needs.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, or a Healthcare-related field.
• Ten (10+) years of relevant professional experience including at least five (5+) years of clinical instruction and/or simulation experience.
• Instructional design experience directly within simulation and the healthcare industry and/or medical education sector; experience with simulation mannequins, task trainers, standardized patients, OSCE’s, etc.
• Must have had responsibility for delivering educational activities from the idea stage through development, implementation, and evaluation (equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered).
• Experience directly managing and leading a team and experience managing multiple, complex projects simultaneously.