CBIS Spotlight: Jennifer Niec
Categories: ACBIS Insider, Professionals
Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in the medical social work field and is a licensed master’s level social worker from Western Michigan University. She began her career in working with persons who have a brain injury at Covenant HealthCare Inpatient Rehabilitation Program in Saginaw, Michigan in 2007 which was acquired in a joint venture and renamed Mary Free Bed at Covenant in 2018. She received her Certified Brain Injury Specialist certification in 2012 and is now the Lead Care Manager. She was also involved in the development and move to a newly constructed inpatient rehab building in Dec 2021, presented at several brain injury and neuro symposiums and actively developed an Interdisciplinary Sensory Program with several colleagues to be used with neuro patients to decrease agitation and increase outcomes which is in the process of being published. Her passion for persons with a brain injury and improving the outcomes of those in the inpatient rehab setting continue to be her career focus.
What made you choose a career in brain injury? Why are you passionate about brain injury?
I have always been drawn to medical social work throughout my studies. I was fortunate to do an internship at a state clinic for children with chronic diseases and was very intrigued by those who had suffered a brain injury and the recovery they could make with early care. In addition, my uncle suffered a severe TBI when I was 13 years old and stayed with us a great deal. I have a special relationship with him and was involved in many ways with his acute care recovery, residential recovery and eventually his long term home recovery (which is still ongoing). We were told upon his injury “He will more than likely be a vegetable.” Now he is physically independent, plays guitar for a nursing home, works a part time job and loves to play Skip Bo! He does still require 24hour supervision for cognitive impairment but he is definitely NOT a “vegetable.”
In what ways have you advocated for persons with brain injury?
I feel like I advocate daily in my work with patients who have a brain injury to just get them the education and resources from insurance carriers and community services. I am active with Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) advocacy initiatives. I am also involved in program improvement within my organization to improve outcomes including research to increase care for future patients.
Do you have any recommendations for individuals who want to advocate for themselves or persons with brain injury?
Don’t take no for an answer. Persistence does pay off and it is very important to educate yourself on the laws, service availability, and provide past patient scenarios to individuals to inform them that the services can be approved and paid for. Without self-education it is very hard to advocate for others as many resources and agencies are quick to say no.
Why is having a CBIS important to you?
This is important to me to show families, patients and colleagues that I am passionate about working with those who have suffered a brain injury. Having a CBIS also shows that I am willing to go the extra mile to further my education and provide a higher quality of services for them. I feel that it holds me to a higher standard and encourages continued education in an area that is going to benefit others. It is very helpful in my daily work as it pushes me to attend conferences related to the topic of brain injury so that I can better educate my patients and families on expectations of recovery, which will also decrease anxieties and better prepare them for the future long-term care of their loved one.
What recommendations would you make regarding increasing CBIS and CBIST involvement with BIAA or ACBIS (other than certification)?
I think offering more CEUs that are approved for all disciplines including social work which I feel is a huge employer base. I also think educating employers on the benefits of CBIS and what it can do for their patient care could assist with increasing employer-supported pursuance of certifications.