The Aegis System™ Overview:
TtT [TRAIN the TRAINER]
Aegis offers two types of certifications: Staff and Trainer (TtT) Certification.
Staff Certification allows an individual to use the Aegis System™ and is typically facilitated directly by Aegis instructors at an organization’s own facility.
Trainer (TtT) Certification allows key staff members to provide trainings and then certify their own staff team. Aegis Trainers who have received an Aegis TtT Certification receive a published training manual as well as access to the online client portal (videos, PowerPoint’s, training tools, supporting documents, etc.). Aegis does not upsell clients by charging for TtT issued staff certifications or staff training materials. Aegis conducts regular ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions across the country and has a regular presence in each region.
New TtT certification is a 3 day commitment with an annual (1 day) re-certification.
CONTENT
The Aegis de-escalation model is consistent with every client engagement (Section 1-3 of the Aegis System™). Upon engagement, Aegis attaches different versions of Section 4 (physical skills) to achieve a custom-like fit for each client.
INTRODUCTION
The components of the Aegis Introduction create a foundation for the entire system. The Aegis “Intervention Model” defines terms and creates context. This model also plays a critical role in documentation, data collection, and supporting staff with a situation appropriate response. Operating without judgment is a constant theme throughout the entire system and allows staff to apply empathy. “Social Survival” serves as a palatable and relatable expression of emotional intelligence and introduces the role of the Limbic System in crisis situations.
- Clinical Crisis Intervention Overview
- Crisis Intervention Model
- Social Survival
- Nonjudgmental Approach
SECTION 1. Staff Empowerment
This section is composed of an assortment of tools designed to empower staff to manage their own stress level, make situation appropriate decisions, build observational acuity, learn recognition skills, utilize intuition, and enable a resourceful response. Staff are the most consistent variable when considering all elements in the equation of a crisis situation; for this reason, the Aegis System™ begins here.
- Stress Inoculation
- Tactical Breathing
- Cognitive Preparation
- Observational Acuity
- Triggers
- Mental Mapping
- Informed Intuition
SECTION 2. Nonverbal Acuity
The Aegis System™ places new focus and attention on nonverbal communication. A consistent and intentional verbal and non-verbal presentation is critical to de-escalation. Aegis empowers staff to observe nonverbal communication as a means to dramatically improve their recognitions skills. Command of these skills presents unique and effective intervention strategies for any population, despite their level of verbal responsiveness.
- Non-verbal Communication in Crisis
- Learning Formula
- Pacifiers
- Freeze Response
- Flight Response
- Aggression Cluster
- Pacifiers
- Body Language in Crisis
- Recognizing Emotion In The Face
- De-Escalation Cluster
SECTION 3. Rapport Technology
The Aegis System™ is a rapport based de-escalation model. Achieving and maintaining rapport is central to the Aegis approach to violence prevention and de-escalation. The process of verbal de-escalation revolves around empowering staff to cultivate rapport and incorporates specific coaching in effective communication and verbal de-escalation strategies. This section is composed of evidence-based tools that are proven to prevent the occurrence of violence and behavioral escalation.
- Applied Empathy
- Process Language
- The Science and Art of Rapport
- Representational Systems
- Pacing/Leading
- The ABC’s of DE-escalation
- Insulating Techniques
- Reframing
- De-Escalation Model
- Presuppositions
- Utilizing Rapport
SECTION 4. The Protective Use of Physical Intervention
The Aegis De-escalation model and CPP (Clinical Personal Protection) are consistent with every Aegis engagement. To provide a custom-like fit, clients receive training and certification in the most relevant version of Section 4. Professionals who may be expected to perform a benevolent restraint or restrict a person’s movement in any fashion receive certification in the Protective Use of Physical Intervention (in addition to CPP, see Blue Certification).
The Aegis System™ is geared toward maintaining a baseline of cooperation and preventing the need for physical intervention. However, when the unavoidable need arises, Aegis has physical solutions that align with any intervention guideline issued by various state, federal and private accrediting organizations. All of the
Aegis physical intervention techniques are classified as benevolent and meet three levels of acceptability:
- Experience-Based: The technique has been proven to be safe and effective in real conditions.
- Intervention Guidelines: Meets various legislative guidelines and various public/private accrediting body or licensing guidelines.
- Benevolent Intent: Each technique has been rigorously scrutinized as a means to be classified as benevolent. Each technique is designed to provide safety and to enable the continuation of the therapeutic process. Avoidance of any bodily harm is the top priority; this defines the use of the world benevolent.
Physical intervention is only used when the inescapable need arises and the risk of not intervening is clearly out weighed by the risk of intervening (measured against the eminent possibility of a sentinel event). For professionals who are trained and expected to use benevolent restraints, The Aegis System™ utilizes various holds to achieve the Aegis Safety Position™. Aegis holds are arranged in a tertiary design that ensures the application of the least restrictive option.
The Aegis Safety Position™ is a proprietary technique that is revolutionizing best practice. The Aegis Safety Position™ is a seated, benevolent restraint that is highly adaptable to escorting and standing positions. This technique is easily integrated into any clinical environment and is compatible with hospital beds and a wide range of medical equipment. This technique safeguards against any type of airway restriction and complications from head, arm, and leg thrashing. The safety and effectiveness of the Aegis Safety Position™ is un-equaled and is supported by experience, empirical findings, and precedent in documentation. The Aegis Safety Position™ eliminates the need for dangerous floor restraints. It is derived from a technique that is mandated for use in another country. Aegis leveraged this R&D, evidence base, and precedent to deliver this proprietary solution to the US market.
Benefits of the Aegis Safety Position™:
- Compatible with hospital beds and a wide array of medical equipment
- Eliminates the need for prone or supine positioning (floor restraints), therefore mitigating the risk of positional asphyxia
- Minimally invasive and is a position of respect and dignity
- Not only benevolent, but also appears benevolent to a 3rd party observer
- Individuals de-escalate quicker in this seated position
- Mitigates complications from head, leg and arm thrashing, and biting
- Minimizes the physical requirements necessary for staff to perform
- Adaptable to diverse environments or locations (floor, stairs, wheel chair, crowded hospital room, uneven terrain, etc.)
- Easily integrated, taught and retained
- Simple to transition in and out of escort
- Adaptable to standing positions when seated positions can not be achieved
- Fits within the Aegis tertiary design
AEGIS CLIENT PORTAL
The Aegis Client Portal is an online solution to support Aegis certified trainers and is accessed via the Aegis website (theaegissystem.com). Included in the portal are videos, supporting documents, training supports, and PowerPoint presentations that are designed to assist trainers in conducting their own staff trainings and self-managing their own staff certifications. Aegis is committed to constant renovation and improvement of the Client Portal and the solutions offered there are constantly evolving. Each trainer is instructed on how to use the portal at the TtT session. All of the materials that Aegis trainers need to support the training of their staff can be found in one of two places: in-hand within their instructor manual or a few clicks away in the Aegis Client Portal.
IN-HOUSE TRAINING
Aegis also conducts in-house or private trainings at various agencies. The format is flexible and private trainings allow Aegis master instructors to meet the individual needs of various organizations. Larger agencies may opt to have a large number of TtT’s certified in-house. Another popular option is to have Aegis master trainers facilitate an on-site staff training and simultaneously certify TtT’s. Enthusiastic clients may choose to host a regularly scheduled training and welcome other organization to their facility. Aegis often works with clients in this regard, which presents attractive networking opportunities while lowering the cost of maintaining certification.
RE-CERTIFICATION
Aegis TtT’s and staff complete re-certification on an annual to semi-annual basis, depending on the type of certification. Aegis maintains a regular presence in all client geographies to facilitate the re-certification process. Aegis staff look forward to interfacing with clients on a regular basis. The re-certification structure is based on legal precedent and is also Aegis’ best effort to keep clients ahead of best practice.
The Aegis System™ Price Structure
New Trainer [TtT] Certification: $899 (3 day commitment)
***$799 per person when you register three or more
TtT Re-certification: $449 (annual, 1 day, 8 hour commitment)
Pricing includes:
- Certification
- Published manuals
- Staff handouts
- Supporting media, PowerPoint’s, etc.
- Supporting documentation
- Access to the online Client Portal
Staff Training: $149 per participant.