JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- When the term “simulation lab” is used, what comes to mind? A giant X-ray? A sci-fi virtual reality? For the 633d Medical Group, it’s a new medical program that’s revolutionizing how Airmen are receiving their upgrade training.
Being the first of its kind, the 633d MDG Simulation Lab is being utilized to better ensure the holistic readiness of its Airmen.
“When we were building out this proof of concept, we were asked to create a training sustainment center that focuses on quality training to fill the gaps that weren’t met by the education and training department,” said Tech. Sgt. Christian Baldwin, 633d MDG medical services flight chief. “It started as identifying the 52 core training tasks that Aerospace Medical Technicians needed to hone in on; even though folks were being signed off on their core training, they weren’t really feeling qualified.”
Before introducing the Simulation Lab, Airmen would talk through the steps of any given procedure with their supervisor. Once the supervisor felt the Airman displayed satisfactory knowledge, they would sign off on the Airman’s training. However, the Sim Lab provides hands-on, guided, one-on-one training with a team of dedicated professionals in any medical field; ensuring that all 633d MDG Airmen receive valuable instruction.
“It’s very exciting to see the Airmen receiving true instruction versus a verbal walk-through,” said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Wenninger, 633d MDG Simulation Lab coordinator. “They’re actually getting in there and receiving the hands-on [practice] that they need, which is crucial. Knowing that they’re getting quality training is what’s most important to me.”
According to the Simulation Lab’s internal statistics, within the 2022 calendar year, over 670 students have successfully gone through the program, causing a 4000% increase in productivity.
“If a technician comes in for their training, gets signed off and receives whatever certification they need, we need to ensure that it’s the same across the board for every person who comes through,” said Baldwin. “When we built the training, we only had ‘quality’ in mind. But for there to be quality in the training, we had to understand the value in it.”
This training has transformed how 633d MDG Airmen build confidence within their craft and prepare to meet future challenges across the Joint Force.
Simulated patients in a Comprehensive Medical Readiness Training exercise are triaged to respective field care units at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, July 28, 2022. During the aftermath of the simulated explosion, patients were divided into their respective care units depending on the severity of the individual's injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chloe Shanes)