Kay Brooks, CBIST Meghan Trowbridge, CBIST Want to be a cbis? the certified brain injury specialist and brain injury fundamentals courses Kay Brooks, CBIST Meghan Trowbridge, CBIST

Objectives Explain the difference between ACBIS Fundamentals & CBIS Exams Review the ACBIS Fundamentals Certification Process Identify the target audience for ACBIS Fundamentals

What is acbis? Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists Provides education, training, certification and ongoing resources for specialists in the brain injury community ACBIS offers a voluntary certification program for both direct care staff and professionals working in brain injury services

What is brain injury fundamentals? Certificate program (not a credential) valid for three years 7-12 Hour Course No continuing education needed Taught by a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer

Who should attend ACBIS fundamentals? Direct support staff Family members Non-licensed facility staff Case managers First responders Community members

ACBIS Fundamentals breakdown Cost: Fundamentals application & Workbook = $125 + shipping Commitment of 7-12 hours of training (in person) ACBIS Fundamentals Certification – valid for three years Must have a group of at least 7 for a training session with CBIST

ACBIS Fundamentals overview Cognition Guidelines for interacting and building rapport Brain injury and behavior Medical complications Safe medication management Families coping with brain injury Case studies

Testing process Brian Injury Fundamentals Quiz administered online. Quiz is open book an open notes. Total of 34 multiple choice questions and two ungraded short answer questions. Must score 80% or higher on the quiz to receive the certificate. Candidates may retake the quiz again if they do not pass – unlimited attempts within the first year of application.

ACBIS Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate The Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS) crossdisciplinary education for professionals and paraprofessionals in the field emphasizes familiarity with all aspects of brain injury, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, establishes a common vocabulary among service providers, and contributes to an inter‐disciplinary team approach to rehabilitation. The Brain Injury Fundamentals training and certificate program for direct care and ancillary staff, family caregivers, and community members provides practical knowledge across mechanism of injury, cognition, physical issues, medical issues, behavioral issues, medication review, and family/caregiver burden. CBIS/CBIST application fees range from $210 to $300. Included in the fee is a one‐year subscription to the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. The annual renewal fee is $65. Fundamentals participants pay $125 (plus s/h) for the registration and course workbook bundle. Applicants can choose to purchase the Essential Brain Injury Guide 5.0, the primary text, for $90 (plus s/h). The Brain Injury Fundamentals Practical Training Workbook is included in the registration/workbook bundle. Applicants must have 500 hours of currently verifiable direct contact experience with individuals with TBI. No hour requirement Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. No educational requirement

What is the certified brain injury specialist? A credential for individuals who assist persons with brain injury to restore, maintain and promote optimal health. CBIS is the next step in professional development and has been widely recognized in the brain injury field since 1996. Provides recognition of advanced training and work experience in brain injury services

Who should consider becoming a cbis? Applicants with at least 500 hours of currently verifiable direct contact experience with an individual(s) with brain injury Experience can be paid employment or academic internship. Volunteer work does not qualify Qualifying experience must include formal supervision or have have been conducted while the individual operated under a professional license Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent

CBIS Breakdown: Application Applicants may apply individually or as a member of a group. Individual cost $300; Group of 5-29 $235/person Must first complete a User Account Setup Form, then the CBIS application form Verification of employment is required New paid applicants receive a free one year subscription to the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation Highly recommend purchasing Essential Brain Injury Guide $90 if purchased at time of application

CBIS Breakdown: Training/Renewal Training is not required to sit for the CBIS examination; self- study is allowed. Training is helpful to many Official ACBIS training is offered by Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBIST) in SC. Course length is dependent on the training and their teaching plan. Typically 8-12 hours over several days Certification must be renewed annually (requirements must be best to maintain certification). Annual fee is $65

CBIS Training /EBIG 5.0 Topics (Sample) Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances Aging with a Brain Injury Psychosocial Complications Substance Misuse Pediatrics and Adolescents Gender and Sexuality

CBIS Examination Must score 80% or greater on examination The exam is online; there are 70 multiple choice questions You have exactly two hours to complete the test; no books or notes Scores are reported immediately via email You may take one retest within one year of the initial application submission date. You must then reapply

References ACBIS Fundamentals. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.biausa.org/professionals/acbis/acbis-fundamentals/acbis-fundamentals Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists ACBIS Brain Injury Treatment Education Clinical Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.biausa.org/professionals/acbis/certified-brain-injury-specialist/cbis- information-eligibility The Essential Brain Injury Guide. 5th ed. Brain Injury Association of America, 2016.

To schedule a training: Joyce Davis, CBIS, Executive Director Brain Injury Association of South Carolina 121 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 135 Columbia, SC  29210 1-877-TBI-FACT(in-state), (803)731-9823 www.biaofsc.com joyce.davis@biaofsc.com