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A riport about the Medical Skills Education and Innovation Centre's new Simulated Student Technicians

Seen above, Donat demonstrates comic relief as depicted in the narrative unleashed by the MediSkills Lab’s Director, Dr. Rendeki, during the Fall Semester Staff Meeting, September 2023.

Donat Paszti, the Medical Skills Education and Innovation Center’s Senior Course Instructor and Demonstrator, recently corralled what is likely the largest group to date during a summer crash course training event in the preparation of newbie “Simulated Student Technicians,” hosted from June through September, 2023.

“Surprisingly, twenty-seven Medical School students processed through the labyrinths of intense, robust two-day training period, and I’m proud to say, all passed with flying colors,” Donat stated, adding, “The majority of newcomers are second year Medical School students, enrolled in the Hungarian Program, who, at the urging of friends and professors, eagerly sought us out.

We are planning to bring International Students aligned to the Medical School in the near future. The large number of candidates is uncanny, since they will be needed to support educational activities planned this fall in the newly opened theatre of operations.”

In the late spring of 2023, the recently expanded Medical Skills Education and Innovation Centre was complete and the Contractor turned it over to Dr. Szilard Rendeki, Director, Medical Skills Education and Innovation Centre.

 Dr. Rendeki’s Fall Semester Staff Meeting was an occasion for smiles, none more than aptly characterized than Donat. “Dr. Rendeki announced several key initiatives which promise a fury of excitement and optimism in our theater of operations and ushers in a new era,” Donat recently stated.

Deliveries of equipment, décor and hardware began arriving at a dizzying pace. “Away Teams” from all over Central Europe were onsite constructing laboratory environments and simulation labs. The vast network of expansion implies multiple areas of education happening at the same time, and the need for an expanded team of fully trained Simulated Student Technicians, to adequately prepare the equipment.

“Training such a large number of SSTs sometimes proved daunting, even grueling. All students enrolled in my Training Course demonstrated the utmost in professionalism, motivation, focus and awe,” Donat remarked.

“Aspects of training included familiarization with task simulators, and no fewer than 27 full-bodied medical manikins supported by a host of equipment indigenous to Healthcare Simulation,” Donat remarked.

A “Winning Team,” inspired by new Fall Semester initiatives, courtesy of Dr. Szilard Redeki, Director, Medical Education and Innovation Centre, September 2023.

“What I can’t cover in two days of training is scheduled for the fall in the form or OJT (On the Job Training) which obviously requires patience and diligence on the students. My most important aspect in my role as Course Instructor emphasizes aspects of our Core Values, trust and collaboration.”

As the Course Instructor overseeing the training of Assistants, Donat relies on the proverbial Playbook, “MediSkills Lab Assistant Training Guidance,” a procedural method originally developed by Peter Szuc, one of the first Course Instructors. Over time, each corresponding Course Instructor added to the Playbook, as new equipment arrived to the Lab.

“As newly appointed Course Instructor and Demonstrator, I perused the former CID’s Playbook and since late Spring, have consistently added my own strategies, so training is always developing and expanding, influenced by the uniqueness of the Course Instructor’s demeanor,” Donat said.

The immediate challenge Donat faced was the need to effectively train a vast number of SSTs over the summer, knowing their skills and teamwork was fast going to be needed once course instruction opens for business in the expanded theater of operations. Donat has exponentially added to the Playbook, tripling it in size, due to the onslaught of new equipment and custom-built laboratories.

“The room was consumed with esprit de corps following Dr. Rendeki’s announcement of upcoming news and events,” Donat stated, adding, “All of us felt a rush of adrenalin, inspiration in hopes of achieving Dr. Rendeki’s Vision for the remainder of 2023.”

“The recently graduated SSTs are a fine group of new Medical School students. Their first year of school is behind them, they exuberate confidence and esprit de corps. Facilitating and training such a large number of SSTs is crucial to meeting our Director’s Vision for the third and fourth quarter and this means trust, teamwork and coordination,” Donat emphasized.

“It’s a unique opportunity for our up and coming generation of recently graduated SSTs. Their medical skills acumen will undoubtedly be put to the test as demand is big regarding course instruction, especially now after we’ve experienced such a vast expansion.

We are over eight times the original size and Senior Leadership is entrusting Staff with increased areas of responsibility. Due to both the expansion and SST turn-over, I’ve fast-tracked the training of a large number of potential candidates, what I’m told is the largest, since the Medical Skills Education and Innovation Centre first opened in 2012,” Donat said.

When asked what he enjoys most about training Assistants, Donat added, “I’ve been fortunate to have benefitted from professional, positive mentoring while enrolled in Medical School, specifically while reporting for duty in the MediSkills Lab.

To give something back to the younger generation has deep meaning for me, and I don’t take my responsibilities lightly. The happiest moment in training our new batch of SSTs comes with seeing them proudly wearing the embroidered t-shirt for the first time, our badge of honor,” Donat concluded.

Jon E. Marquette