Sound Health Research Institute

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Certification Standards for Human BioAcoustic Research Associates

BARA BOARD CERTIFICATION STANDARDS - Draft 1.0 08/24/05

Introduction

There exists major concern and debate about the state of health care in today’s society. Many current belief systems do not entirely address giving a person domain over his or her own individual healing and health choices. Current models leave out a critical element of the health care equation: the active role of BioAcoustics. If we are to have the most comprehensive health care options available to people, it must include research and an educational force that includes BioAcoustics.

BioAcoustics, the work founded and pioneered by Sharry Edwards, has been integrated into the research company called Sound Health Alternatives, Inc. (SHAI). Ms. Edwards provides qualified educational programs through this company.  There has also been established a not-for-profit, recognized exempt organization, Sound Health Research Institute, Inc. (SHRI).  The Trustees have established a Credentials System for Professional BioAcoustic Research Associate Standards in 2004. The System includes Certification, Peer Review, Research and Ethics standards.  See:  www.soundhealthresearch.org for details.

The Certification Board’s goal is to advance the quality of sound research, teaching, learning, and mentoring in the development of BioAcoustics by maintaining high standards for what accomplished BioAcoustic Associates should know and be able to do, and by providing a system to certify BioAcoustic Associates who meet these standards. These standards are established for BioAcoustic Associates, and for BioAcoustic Associates, is a representation of professional excellence. There are entry-level standards for beginning BioAcoustic Associates, as well as established advanced standards for experienced BioAcoustic Associates.

Linked to these standards are reasonable and reliable processes that honor the complexities and demands of utilizing BioAcoustics. They focus on the research and work completed by BioAcoustic Associates. The Board assessments for Board Certification include having BioAcoustic Associates construct a case study research portfolio that represents an analysis of their classroom work and participate in exercises designed to tap the knowledge, skills, disposition, professional judgment, and research skills that represent their abilities.

Proficiency of BioAcoustic Associates

The Board presents its view of what BioAcoustic Associates should be proficient in, as well as values and beliefs regarding what should be the foundation of sound research. This expression of standards guides all of the Board's standards and assessment processes.

The fundamental requirements for proficient sound research include a broad education in the sciences, math, psychology, business, and the liberal arts; knowledge of the skills to be developed, and of the resources and equipment that manage and embody course content; knowledge of general and subject-specific methods for sound research and for evaluating clients; the capacity to employ such knowledge prudently in the interest of research; and human qualities including expertise, professionalism, and commitment compose excellence in the field of BioAcoustics.

The Board's responsibility is not only to ensure that BioAcoustic Associates who become Board Certified meet its professional standards of commitment and competence, but also to maintain standards, assessments, and research data.

Seven Core Values of BioAcoustics Associates

The SHRI Trustee authorized Board for Professional Certification Standards seeks to recognize BioAcoustic Associates who demonstrate the high level of knowledge, skills, abilities and commitments reflected in the following Seven Core Values.

• BioAcoustic Associates have self-discipline.          Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates use good judgment and observe “do no harm” as a first rule of practice.  Associates are expected to abide by the Ethics Code.

• BioAcoustic Associates are committed to being the source of their own decision making.
  Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates act on the belief that all people can be responsible for their own health choices. They incorporate awareness and intelligence in their practice.

• BioAcoustic Associates utilize knowledge and creativity.
  Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates have a rich understanding of BioAcoustics and appreciate how knowledge is created, organized, linked to self health care and applied to real-world settings. While representing collective wisdom of our culture and upholding the value of knowledge, they also develop the critical and analytical thinking skills required for research success.

• BioAcoustic Associates are aware and present human beings.
  Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates are adept at engaging people to assist their sound research and at enlisting their colleagues' knowledge and expertise to complement their own. They are also aware of ineffectual or damaging behavior and are devoted to creating a positive outcome.

• BioAcoustic Associates think systematically and learn from experience.
  Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates are models of responsible and educated persons, exemplifying the virtues they also inspire in others: the desire to be healthy, whole, curious, honest, fair, and respectful of human differences. They engage in lifelong learning that they seek to be a model for all health care providers. Striving to strengthen BioAcoustics research, Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates critically examine their practice, seek to expand their repertoire, deepen their knowledge, sharpen their judgment and adapt their practice to new findings, ideas and theories.

• BioAcoustic Associates are leaders within their communities.        Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates contribute to the effectiveness of the Sound Health by working collaboratively with other professionals on research, standards of practice, and educating. They find ways to work with people, engaging them productively in managing their own health care choices. BioAcoustic Associates are dedicated to making BioAcoustics accessible.

• BioAcoustic Associates provide support for other human beings.          Certified and accomplished BioAcoustic Associates contribute to the betterment of humankind through active support of providing options for health choices.

I. Certification Standards Statement of Purpose – The purpose of the Certification Standards Subcommittee (Certification Board or Board for Professional Certification Standards) is to implement the Certification Standards to recommend the issuing of various degrees of certification to Research Practitioners (existing practitioners to be ‘grandfathered’ and life experiences to be considered along with academics [both through Sound Health, Inc. and otherwise] and professional status).  Certification to cover HBA as established by the research initiated by Sharry Edwards and to include such sub-specialties as Vocal Profiling and the like.  The Subcommittee consists of a Certification Chairperson appointed and removable by the Chairperson of the Credentials Committee and such Members (not exceeding six) as may be invited by the Subcommittee Chairperson. The Chairperson and Members of the Subcommittee may be removed from the Subcommittee by resignation or determination of the Board of Trustees.

II. Descriptions

       A. Levels of Certification

            1. Level I Certification (BioAcoustics Member Associate/BAMA)

This level of practitioner has received Focus course training from Sound Health, Inc and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they wish to utilize the Sound Health, Inc. technology only to conduct Vocal Profiling intake information under the auspices of a Certified Sound Health BioAcoustics Mentor. Completion time is one week, annual re-certification fee is required.

            2. Level II Certification (BioAcoustics Professional Associate/BAPA)    

This level of practitioner has received Focus course and additional Lab, Merchandising training from Sound Health, Inc., submission of approved Business plan within one year of taking Focus course, and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they wish to utilize the Sound Health, inc. technology to conduct Vocal Profiling and distribute and sell products commercial produced by Sound Health, Inc. Completion time is from 1-12 months, proficiency with BioAcoustics software and technical savvy is expected, annual re-certification fee is required.

            3. Level III Certification (Pre-BioAcoustics Research Associate/pre-BARA)

This level of practitioner has successfully completed the Focus course and one additional Lab training within a one year period from Sound Health, Inc., must be actively working with a Certified BioAcoustics Mentor, and is in the process of providing a minimum of one approved case study per month to Sound Health, Inc. for a consecutive period of two years, one paper must be submitted for conference presentation, and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they wish to utilize the Sound Health, Inc. technology to conduct research. Completion time for requirements must be within two years, proficiency and working knowledge of BioAcoustics software is expected, annual conference attendance and presentation and re-certification fee is required.

            4. Level IV Certification (BioAcoustics Research Associate/BARA)

This level of practitioner has successfully completed Level III, which includes having provided a minimum of one approved case study per month to Sound Health, Inc. for a consecutive period of two years, and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they wish to utilize the Sound Health, Inc. technology to conduct research. Course time completion is two years, expert level of BioAcoustics software is expected, annual conference attendance and presentation and re-certification fee is required.

            5. Level V Certification (BioAcoustics Mentor/BAM)

This level of practitioner has successfully completed Level IV for one year and submitted an approved Mentoring Agreement to Sound Health, Inc. It has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they wish to utilize the Sound Health, Inc. technology to conduct research and to mentor Level I, II, or III practitioners. Mentoring certifications will be reviewed on a yearly basis and based on the results of the most recent year, it will be determined if Mentoring status will be maintained for the following year.

            6. Level VI Certification (BioAcoustics Training Specialist/BATS)

This level of practitioner has successfully maintained a Level V Practitioner status for a consecutive period of five years, and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they agree to teach Sound Health, Inc. classes in conjunction with and as approved by Sharry Edwards.

            7. Level VII Certification (BioAcoustics Educator & Researcher/BAER)

This level of practitioner has successfully maintained a Level VI Practitioner status for a consecutive period of five years, and it has been mutually and contractually agreed upon that they agree to teach Sound Health, Inc. classes as approved by Sharry Edwards.

       B. Core Educational Requirements for each level – In addition to Sound Health, Inc. requirements, each level of certification holds core educational requirements which must be fulfilled prior to beginning the Sound Health Certification Process. All degrees must be in a relevant field and from an accredited college. All core class requirements must be completed with a grade of B or higher. Sound Health, Inc. and the Certification Committee will review the applications and transcripts of each candidate and determine eligibility. Life experience credits to be taken into consideration and determined on a case-by-case basis.

1.      Level I Core Requirements

Proficiency in basic computer skills

2.      Level II Core Requirements

Associates degree and successful completion of Intro level courses in all of the following subjects: Business, Marketing, English, Math, Communications, Biology, Ethics

3.      Level III Core Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of Intro level courses in all of the following subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Research Methods, English, Business Writing, Math, Law & Ethics, and Nutrition

4.      Level IV Core Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of Upper level courses in all of the following subjects: Pathology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Pharmacology, Immunology, Neurology, Media Relations, Marketing, and Math

5.      Level V Core Requirements

Masters Degree and successful completion in Upper level courses in the following subjects: Human Development, Abnormal Psychology, Teaching & Education                    

6.      Level VI Core Requirements

Doctoral degree or post-doctoral work and by permission of Sharry Edwards. 

7.      Level VII Core Requirements

By permission of Sharry Edwards only

        C. Exemptions – Partial requirements may be satisfied through exemptions

            1. Requirements for Exemption – Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and with the approval of the Certification Subcommittee and the Advisory Board.

            2. Process for Application for Exemption – To be outlined.

            3. Proficiency Testing – International Certification by the Sound Health Advisory Board is determined with a combination of events, including but not limited to a standards-based assessment. This means there is a criterion or standard of performance that must be met by candidates in order to achieve certification, and the content of each assessment is determined by the standards document for each assessment. Applicants must complete intensive training courses and labs where they are trained to evaluate responses according to the Sound Health standards. Assessment scores are only a small portion of a candidate’s eligibility for certification. A candidate must earn a total score for all exercises that exceeds 76% or better in order to achieve International Sound Health Board Certification.

       D. Grandfather clause – All Sound Health BioAcoustics Research Associates who are approved by Sharry Edwards, and deemed to be an active member of the Sound Health community as of [August 1, 2006] shall be grandfathered into Certification with the following requirements satisfied:

            1. Case Studies –Six case studies submitted between January 1, 2006 and August 1, 2006

            2. Conference Attendance – Mandatory attendance each year

            3. Conference Paper presentation – Mandatory at each annual conference

            4. Lab course review – Must attend one review course per four years after August 1, 2006

            4. Grandfather clause exemption process – To be outlined

III.  Certification Processes – Each person that shall receive any Certification from Sound Health, Inc. will need to follow the process outlined below.

              A. Forms/Applications for Certification  – To be outlined

              B. Process for determining validity of Application for Certification – To be outlined

              C. Pending Certifications – To be outlined

              D. Certification Renewal – To be outlined

              E. Certification Rejection – To be outlined

IV.       Co-operative subcommittee functions – The Certification Subcommittee shall interact with the other subcommittees as outlined below.

              A. Credentials Committee – To be outlined

  B. Ethics subcommittee – To be outlined

              C. Peer Review subcommittee – To be outlined

              D. Editorial Board – To be outlined

  E. Advisory Board – To be outlined

V.        Subcommittee members

              A. Chair responsibilities – To create, submit, edit, and maintain Credential guidelines and policies.

              B. Subcommittee member responsibilities – To be outlined

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