SALEM — Salem State College will receive federal grant money to set up an unusual nursing simulation lab for students and health care professionals.

The lab includes a robotic "patient" lying in a bed that resembles a real person. On the other side of a two-way mirror, instructors using a computer can program the patient robot to take on a variety of real-life symptoms. The students must then make a diagnosis and treat the patient accordingly.

"This is incredible technology that allows us to train students, as well as people who are already in their health care profession, to learn how to diagnose patients in a hospital setting without being in a hospital," Salem State spokesman Corey Cronin said.

The lab can simulate conditions like heart attacks or muscle aches. The robot patient is also hooked up to computers that monitor its simulated vital signs.

Salem State already uses one lab. The federal grant money allows the college to set up a second one so more students can use the technology.

"We all know that health care is a growth area, and there's a large demand for health care training," Cronin said.

The college will receive approximately $224,000 in grant money, thanks to a $410 billion federal spending bill — the Omnibus Appropriations Bill — which passed the U.S. Senate last week.

The training will be used both for students in the college's nursing program — the largest of its kind in Massachusetts — as well as working nurses taking refresher courses.