Developing a Workforce for the Future

Companies are competing and fighting hard to attract and hire each new employee. As health care organizations, how do we attract those new employees? Once hired, do the new employees have the right tools to do their jobs? New employees want to have meaningful jobs, to be recognized for their contributions, and have the opportunity to use their skills and abilities. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), employers are already seeing evidence of the skills shortage, saying that the most difficult part of the recruitment process is finding qualified candidates.

The Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) provides the solution for employers who are committed to ensuring their organizations provide exceptional, high quality care through education and training. ACBIS offers an opportunity for new employees to develop their skills and talents upon hire as well as for their ongoing development through webinars, the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, and the Brain Injury Specialist certification.

As part of new hire training, ACBIS offers Brain Injury Fundamentals, the core curriculum certificate program for brain injury services. The course provides basic information for new caregivers and direct care staff on topics including cognition, brain injury and behavior, families, and medical complications. After completing intensive training, they will receive a certificate that is valid for three years. How does completing this course benefit new hires? By completing this program, they will be more adept at working with individuals with brain injury, understanding different types of behavior, and providing support to families and caregivers. They will feel empowered and be recognized professionally within their organizations.

For individuals interested in a career in brain injury rehabilitation, ACBIS provides the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) certification. CBIS is the next step in professional development and has been widely recognized and respected for many years in the field of brain injury. CBIS is the credential for individuals who assist persons with brain injury to restore, maintain, and promote optimal health. The requirement for this credential includes 500 hours of verifiable direct contact experience with individuals with brain injury. The CBIS credential is the next step in ensuring that your employee remains a valuable and well-informed asset in the field of brain injury services. This reflects a commitment to ensuring that certificants have access to the latest brain injury research, treatment, and practice information.

Employers who encourage their staff to use ACBIS offerings through Fundamentals and CBIS create an environment that shows their commitment to their team and to the brain injury community. ACBIS helps employers recruit and retain the very best talent. 

This article was contributed by:

Mary Pat Murphy, MSN, CRRN, ACBIS Board Member and Vice President of Clinical Services, ReMed