Labs are where students learn a rote skill. Once they have mastered the skill, they move on to simulation, which is recorded as an opportunity. A school serves as the site to document a simulated opportunity, the lab instructor acts as the simulated preceptor, and the category 'Simulation/Lab Center' is used.
If you are unsure whether to create a lab or a simulation to represent an event, consider where on the students' progress reports you want their work reflected. If it should contribute to their skills points under the various Lab Skills section (Paramedic SMC23 Skills: Table 3, column 1, and EMT Skills Table 5), then the event should be created as a lab. Otherwise, if they are performing simulations to replace a live skill attempt and contribute to their Clinical Skills or Pathology points, then a simulation should be used. Labs will also utilize skills sheets, whereas simulations with opportunity documentation run the same way as if the student were in the clinical setting.
More Information:
For more information on Labs, including how instructors create them, how students create or document them, and other info, click here.
For more information on Opportunities, including creation and documentation for students and instructors, click here.
Students: SMC 2023 Student Clinical and Simulation Documentation, click here.
To learn how to schedule training for a Planner Review session, click here.