What the Course Entails and Exam Details

The CHSOS course and subsequent exam cover four major performance domains necessary for effective healthcare simulation center operations. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to manage complex technical equipment, design efficient operational workflows, ensure safety standards, and collaborate across educational settings. The core syllabus encompasses:

• Technology Management: Focuses on the operation, integration, and troubleshooting of high-fidelity simulators, audiovisual systems, medical devices, and learning management software.
• Operations: Addresses event management, logistics, process improvement, and inventory management within a simulation environment.
• Safety and Maintenance: Requires proficiency in preventative maintenance protocols, safety procedures for simulations, and compliance with institutional policies.
• Collaboration: Evaluates skills in interpersonal communication, team-based simulation planning, and supporting diverse learner groups.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The official CHSOS exam is a comprehensive assessment administered in a timed setting.

• Format: The exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application across the core domains. There are 100 questions, but 10 of these are unscored pretest items used for future test development.
• Passing Score Requirements: SSH utilizes a scaled scoring system to account for variations in difficulty between different forms of the exam. The passing score is a scaled score of 350. Since the number of correct answers required to achieve this score can vary slightly, a fixed percentage is not provided.
• Time Limits: You are allocated 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the exam. This time includes a short tutorial and a post-exam survey.
• Rules: The exam is closed-book. No external resources, references, or cell phones are permitted during the testing period. Identification (e.g., driver's license or passport) must be presented upon check-in.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation for the CHSOS exam should combine theoretical study with practical application.

• Actionable Study Strategies: Start with the official CHSOS Examination Blueprint, which breaks down the percentage of questions allocated to each domain. Thoroughly review the SSH Healthcare Simulation Dictionary to ensure mastery of terminology. Create flashcards for critical concepts such as troubleshooting steps for high-fidelity simulators, safety guidelines (e.g., regarding real versus training drugs), and key operational workflows. Participate in online forums or study groups, such as the SimGHOSTS or SSH discussion boards, to share knowledge and ask specific questions.
• Practice Methods: Utilize the official CHSOS practice test provided by SSH (which mimics the actual exam format). Allocate dedicated, uninterrupted study time and simulate testing conditions to build stamina. If you work in a simulation lab, actively apply the blueprint concepts to your daily tasks, identifying areas where you need to strengthen your technical knowledge.
• Exam Centers and Modalities: The CHSOS exam is administered through Kryterion, a professional testing service. You have two primary options for taking the exam:
• In-Person Testing: Schedule your appointment at a Kryterion Host Location, which includes hundreds of authorized testing centers globally, often located at community colleges or professional training centers.
• Online Proctoring: For greater flexibility, you can opt for online proctored testing, which allows you to take the exam from your home or office. This modality requires that your computer meet specific technical and security requirements and that you have a private, quiet space with a webcam and microphone for the duration of the test.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Achieving CHSOS certification demonstrates professional excellence and a high level of specialized competence, making you highly competitive in the rapidly expanding field of healthcare simulation. It is a critical credential for roles that merge technical expertise with educational support. Potential job opportunities include:

• Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist: The primary role corresponding with this certification, managing daily technical operations and supporting simulation-based education.
• Healthcare Simulation Technologist (Sim Tech): Operates and maintains specialized equipment like high-fidelity manikins and task trainers.
• Simulation Center Coordinator: Oversees scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation within a simulation facility.
• Lead Simulation Technician/Supervisor: Senior level positions managing teams of technologists and defining technical best practices.
• Audiovisual/IT Specialist in Healthcare Simulation: Focuses specifically on the complex networking and recording systems required for debriefing and remote simulation.
• Director of Simulation Technology: High-level leadership role responsible for technology strategy, budgeting, and innovation in larger healthcare or academic institutions.