News

 

ATSS Certifications: Valid vs. Invalid

 by Chrys Harris, Ph.D.
 

Certification through the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS) has always aided trauma workers to become valuable service-providers.  In this day and age, where there is a fairly constant need for trauma counselors, trauma specialists, and trauma responders, those who are certified to do this work have a leading edge over those who remain uncertified.
 

Unfortunately, the world-view of ATSS certification is being undermined by ATSS members with invalid certifications.  Invalid ATSS certifications are held by those members who have let their membership and/or their certification lapse (usually due to non-payment of fees or lack of continuing education or both).  Additionally, many of these members (with invalid ATSS certification) continue to promote themselves as ATSS certified.  The truth is, if an ATSS member lets their membership or certification lapse, for whatever reason, their certification becomes invalid.  One must be a member—in good standing—of ATSS to have a valid certification and one must keep the certification up to date for it to remain valid.
 

Those who have invalid certifications and continue to promote themselves as ATSS certified are committing, at least, a breach of ethics and, at most, an act that may be unlawful.  The ethical issues associated with promoting an invalid certification should be obvious to most.  However, the unlawfulness may not be so obvious.  Many ATSS certified members are licensed to practice in their respective states.  If their ATSS certification is invalid and they continue to promote themselves as certified, this is usually grounds to file a complaint to a licensing board.  Further, if one obtains employment based on promoting an invalid certification, the employer can terminate the employment based on a false claim.  Finally, the general public can take legal action against an individual who has an invalid ATSS certification for implying they are certified when they are not.
 

The impetus of this commentary is to keep ATSS strong by strengthening the world-view of our certification.  I invite you to renew your membership; pay your fees; bring your certification(s) up to date; get your continuing education credits.  If you choose not to do so, please do not promote yourself as being certified by ATSS.

 

 

In an ongoing effort to keep our members better informed, please see the attached list to learn about the more significant accomplishments of the Board and the organization during 2010.

 

  • Revised membership application form and description.
  • Reviewed and adjusted team membership rates.
  • Reviewed certification fees - recommended the following changes effective February 2011: Add student and senior rate and offered longer term.
  • Successfully developed and offered International Trauma Conference and generated a modest profit.
  • Started review of website with objective to rebuild the entire site. Started costing process.
  • Made significant changes to existing website.
  • Started review of membership database.
  • Started review of certification database.
  • Reviewed and endorsed six trainings.
  • Updated board portion of website. Added board member bios and email addresses.
  • Conducted review and started reprint of existing bylaw manual.
  • Reviewed and amended sponsor recognition around certifications.
  • Updated ATSS logo.
  • Added two additional board members and filled vacant Secretary (Linda Hood) and Treasurer (Christine Dernederlanden) positions.
  • Identified dormant committees and added one new one (Fundraising and Promotion).
  • Developed ATSS blog.
  • Sent ten blast emails.
  • Published four (January, March, May and July) editions of Trauma Lines.
  • Renewed management agreement with NJMHA.
  • Revised ATSS letterhead.
  • Updated online membership application form.
  • Updated online certification application form.
  • Added an additional ATSS regional meeting in NJ/NY.
  • Repatriated the Carol Hacker Award lantern.
  • Started planning for the strategic planning meeting in 2011.
  • Started to develop policy to deal with former members misusing certifications and membership references on resumes, websites, letterhead and promotional materials.
  • Our contracted Office Administrator, Lauren DePoto, took advantage of a career opportunity and moved on with our thanks and gratitude for a job well done. We welcomed Annie James as our new Office Administrator.
  • Developed member resource directory application form.
  • Established a working relationship with PTSD Anonymous, Tacoma, Washington.
  • Updated sponsor contact information while recruiting new sponsors.
  • Created a Facebook page and Twitter account.
  • Added MA State Disaster Behavioral Health Network to our list of collaborators.