ACBIS Logo

Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST)

The Brain Injury Association of America, through its cooperative agreement with Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (LWW), is pleased to provide, to each new ACBIS certificant who has applied under the fee structure established December 1, 2008, a one-year subscription to the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. This reflects a commitment to ensuring that Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers have access to the latest brain injury research, treatment and practice information.

Certification Requirements

CBISTs are approved to provide official ACBIS training to CBIS candidates. CBISTs must demonstrate advanced skills in brain injury and must provide documentation that those skills are being maintained through continuing education. To be certified, all eligible candidates must do the following:

  • Submit all necessary application materials
  • Pass the CBIS exam
  • Attend one training session via telephone

 

Eligibility Requirements

Education

Minimum of bachelors degree from an accredited four-year institution

Clinical Experience

Current experience in the field, which includes paid employment and academic internship, is necessary. The qualifying experience must include formal supervision or operation under a professional license.  Volunteer work does not qualify.

  • 5 years direct clinical experience in brain injury with at least 2 years at a supervisory level OR
  • 3 years direct research experience in brain injury OR
  • 3 years experience developing and/or implementing (i.e., as director) brain injury rehabilitation programs or units in hospital, residential, school, or community settings

Professional Skills

Applicants must demonstrate skills in the areas of training, supervision, and/or teaching within the brain injury field and must provide approved documentation (see below). Examples of skills in each of the areas are listed below. Applicants are also required to submit a CV or resume.

Skill Areas: Applicant must demonstrate experience in each of the following skill areas:

Teaching Skills

  • Taught courses, seminars or workshops on brain injury in academically accredited programs
  • Presented at local, regional, national and/or international conferences or workshops on brain injury
  • Designed educational programs and/or materials related to brain injury for colleges or university affiliated programs
  • Mentored clinicians/students/interns in brain injury

Community Service and Professional Dissemination

  • Developed guidelines or protocols for brain injury program
  • Published articles, books, chapters or newsletter articles on brain injury rehabilitation or related areas
  • Facilitated community activities and/or community-based support groups for brain injury
  • Held committee membership or positions in local, state, or national professional organizations focusing on brain injury
  • Participated in research activities in brain injury that resulted in publications by others

Continuing Education

  • Must be a member in good standing within any licensure boards that cover your profession
  • Acquired 12 contact hours of education or continuing education units relating to brain injury per year for the past 2 years

Approved Documentation

  • University or college transcript
  • Certificate of attendance at conferences, workshops, seminars
  • Syllabus indicating applicant is the instructor
  • Front page of published article, newsletter, chapter, book that demonstrates authorship
  • Letter from supervisor or director stating applicant's experience with in-service training and/or activity/support group facilitation. This letter must be written on company letterhead and must include the dates in which the training/events occurred.
  • Official documentation of continuing education for the past 3 years
  • Other: Applicants may provide other types of documentation. In some cases, though, additional documentation will be required. If this occurs, the ACBIS office will contact the applicant.

Application Process

  • The application form is now online, here.  In addition to completing the online form, applicants must submit a copy of the employment verification form for CBIST applicants, signed by a supervisor, and a detailed CV to the ACBIS coordinator at the office of the Brain Injury Association of America (see address below).

  • Completing the form requires choosing between paying the application fee online with a credit card or paying with a check.  Payment by credit card will direct the applicant to the Brain Injury Association of America Marketplace (a secure site); payment by check will generate a statement to accompany the payment.

  • An applicant may wish to confirm eligibility for the CBIST certification by contacting the ACBIS Coordinator before submitting the application, supporting documentation and fees; application fees are non-refundable.

  • Approved documentation of training, supervisory, and/or teaching experience in the field of brain injury. Applicant must demonstrate experience in each of the skill areas identified above.

Brain Injury Association of America/ACBIS

1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110

Vienna, VA  22182

703-761-0750



 © 2005, Brain Injury Association of America