Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Clinical Learning and Simulation Program
Our simulation program utilizes task trainers, standardized patients, immersive manikin-based scenarios, and combinations of these approaches to recreate clinical events. These are conducted on site in our simulation lab or skills lab, and in-situ in clinical environments across the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Facilities
Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility (CLSF)
The CLSF is one of Canada’s most comprehensive simulation teaching facilities in a state-of-the-art facility covering more than 11,000 square feet.
About the CLSF
The Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility (CLSF) is one of Canada’s most comprehensive simulation teaching facilities in a state-of-the-art facility; covering more than 11,000 square feet.
Like a hospital, all of the CLSF’s 14 multipurpose examination rooms are equipped with a diagnostic headwall featuring blood pressure cuffs, otoscope, and thermometer. Medical gas columns, heart-rate monitors, intravenous carts and all other equipment required in the course of real clinical care is stocked and available.
Each room is also equipped with high-fidelity video cameras with real-time playback capability to facilitate evaluations and debriefing - central to the simulation teaching style.
The “patients,” – two adults, a birthing mother, an infant and a child – are all anatomically correct robotic manikins who can breathe, have pulses and reflexes. Our clinical education specialist and our simulation technicians are skilled and ready to assist instructors with design and setup to obtain the best possible results for their simulation-based teaching.
Contact clsf@umanitoba.ca to view the CLSP Governance Operations Manual.
About the skills lab
The skills lab is designed to train students in technical and procedural skills through the use of biological and synthetic models, ranging from simple task trainers to more advanced surgical stations.
Biosafety guidelines for the skills lab
The skills lab is classified by workplace health and safety legislation as a containment level 2 lab.
At all times, regardless of the presence of biohazardous material, the following rules must be observed:
- NO FOOD OR DRINK is allowed in the lab at any time
- The door to the lab is to stay closed
- No outer wear (coats, jackets, etc.), purses or bags allowed in the lab at any time
- Wash your hands upon exiting the lab
There are lockers that require a quarter (25 cents) outside the lab. The quarter is returned when the key is put back into the locker. Or, your bags and jackets can be placed on the table outside the lab.
When biohazardous material is present:
- Closed toe shoes are to be worn
- Long hair (shoulder length) must be tied back
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be supplied for your session if required (i.e. gowns, gloves, masks)
- PPE must be removed before exiting the lab. Your own lab coats should be left outside the lab and used for clean wear
Equipment
The Clinical Learning and Simulation Program (CLSP) provides a wide range of trainers, hospital supplies and other equipment to create a high-quality simulation-based education event.
When booking activities, please indicate specifically which resources you wish to have available. A full list of materials is available in our equipment catalogue.
View the equipment catalogue (PDF)
If you would like to recommend equipment to expand our current inventory, fill out the equipment purchase request form.
Equipment purchase request form
Documents are available in alternate formats on request.
Annual planning cycle for 2025-2026 academic year
The Clinical Learning Simulation Program is now accepting booking and resource requests for dates occurring after August 1, 2025.
To ensure all requests are treated and approved fairly, please follow the detailed schedule below. Bookings will then be prioritized, conflicts identified, resolved, and/or adjudicated and confirmations sent by email.
Deadlines:
For sessions between August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026:
The CLSP has extended the booking request deadline for the 2025-2026 Academic Year to Monday, March 17, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
This may delay booking confirmations until early May, but we will do our best to send them as soon as possible. For questions, contact corrina.kropf@umanitoba.ca.
- Submit booking requests by: March 17, 2025 at 8:00 a.m,
- Confirmations sent out by: Early May 2025
Important:
- Session organizers may submit requests after the above deadline. However, requests submitted after March 1, 2025 may receive lower priority.
- Late requests will be accommodated based on resource availability.
Available rooms
| Room | Capacity | Equipment | Room # | Building |
| Exam rooms | 6-7 | Hi-lo treatment table (electric, with wheels), small table | 1, 2 3, 4 | Lower level, Brodie Centre |
| Exam rooms with obs/gyn exam table | 6-7 | Obs/gyn examination table (electric, stationary), small table | 5, 6, 7, 8 | Lower level, Brodie Centre |
| Hi-fidelity simulation room | 12 | Pediatric / obstetrical manikin | 9 | Lower level, Brodie Centre |
| Hi-fidelity simulation rooms | 12 | Adult manikin | 10, 11 | Lower level, Brodie Centre |
| Large rooms | 16-18 | Hospital bed, large table | 12, 13, 14 | Lower level, Brodie Centre |
| Small group learning rooms and Central learning area | 6-12 | 205 A-H | Second floor, Brodie Centre | |
|
Clinical and procedural skills lab
|
45 | 18 two-person tables inside a large wet lab | 211 | Basic Medical Sciences Building |
Standardized patient program
Standardized Patients (SPs) are real people from a mix of ages, backgrounds and life experiences who are trained to act like real patients. SPs accepted into our program learn how to describe symptoms, show physical signs, and react emotionally in a way that feels natural and believable. SPs make clinical training more realistic, giving students a chance to practice both their medical and communication skills in a safe, hands-on environment. They also play an important role in student evaluations, helping instructors see how future healthcare professionals connect with patients—not just clinically, but on a human level too.
What is a standardized patient?
A standardized patient, also referred to as a simulated patient, is an individual trained to consistently enact a scripted scenario that includes specific historical, emotional, and/or physical symptoms, as well as distinct personality traits and behaviors.
In addition to portraying patients, standardized patients may also take on the role of a family member or other relevant characters to help achieve the educational objectives of a program.
Additional roles for standarized patients
Physical exam model (PEM)
- A standarized patient that does not reproduce a history but allows their own body to be used for clinical examination/demonstration (not including genital and/or breast exams) and/or ultrasound scans.
Sensitive exam teaching associates (SETAs)
- Clinical Teaching Associate (CTA) - pelvic and/or breast exams for female anatomy teaching.
- Male Urological Teaching Assistant (MUTA) – genital/rectal exams for male anatomy teaching.
Invigilator
- Hall monitor/proctor/timekeepers/administration
Spares
- A standarized patient trained for a specific simulation to be used as a backup if required for a session.
What to expect
Training
All standardized patients receive training. This training is intended to prepare them for a variety of settings—including in-person, virtual, high-fidelity, and in-situ simulations—while also helping them develop confidence in their roles and enhance their portrayal and feedback abilities.
Standardized patients never have to do anything that makes them uncomfortable. The scenarios and roles portrayed are clearly defined and no more invasive than a basic check-up at your family doctor.
Basic skills required of a standardized patient
Standardized Patients are expected to be reliable, punctual, and have strong active listening skills, along with the ability to
- work with others in a professional manner
- receive constructive feedback
- follow detailed instructions and reproduce simulation consistently
- provide constructive feedback to learners
Hours of work
SPs are hired as casual employees of the University of Manitoba. Hours of work are irregular and sporadic. The assignment of SP work is based on specific criteria (case requirement, SP abilities, age, ethnicity, gender, availability, etc.).
Shifts are filled on a first come, first serve basis according to the simulation criteria.
Apply to be a standardized patient
If you're looking to contribute to healthcare education while getting paid, join our team as a standardized patient. To apply, complete our online application form.
Applicant selection is based on specific criteria for educational events, and not all applicants will be accepted into the program.
For assistance or more information, please contact spprogram@umanitoba.ca.
Book a standardized patient
To ensure sufficient time for recruitment services, please submit a completed request form no less than six (6) weeks prior to the first date of your simulation event.
Once your request form has been submitted, a member of our team will confirm your event requirements within three business days.
Booking a standardized patient is a different process from room bookings. Please familiarize yourself with the polices and expectations regarding the booking, scheduling, and cancellation of Standardized Patients. View the Utilization of standardized patients resources, bookings, cancellations policy.
For assistance or more information contact spprogram@umanitoba.ca.
Simulation education, research and programming
The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences has established a committee to act as the main operational and programming committee of the RFHS in relation to simulation activities within the Rady Faculty and the Clinical Learning and Simulation Program.
The Simulation Education, Research and Programming (SERP) Committee's mandate is to:
- Oversee the implementation of simulation-based educational programs and research for the RFHS;
- Oversee, and provide advice to the Director, CLSP, respecting the operational and programming activities of the CLSP.
To learn more, or if you're interested in attending a meeting/joining the team, visit the SERP website.
Forms and guidelines
Guidelines on Biosafety guidelines for the skills lab can be viewed above under the facilities section.
Please see the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences policies page for related information.
Contact us
Clinical Learning and Simulation Program (CLSP)
Brodie Centre, 727 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada