Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification

Recognizing a need for further training to those providing treatment for tobacco dependence, the Education program offers a certification training program for Tobacco Treatment Specialists. Its overarching goal is to aid health-care professionals in becoming competent in the provision of treatment for people who are dependent on tobacco and formally recognize that competence. Although a national certification organization for TTS does not yet exist, there is a clear demand by professionals in the field for recognition of their expertise in treating tobacco use and dependence. The NDC has worked closely with the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) and others to establish standards for core competencies, training, and certification of tobacco treatment providers. The NDC Training Program Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification have been developed based upon these proposed standards.

What is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist?

As put forth in ATTUD's statement, a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS): "…is a professional who possesses the skills, knowledge and training to provide effective, evidence-based interventions for tobacco dependence across a range of intensities. The TTS may have various professional affiliations and may work in a variety of settings including but not limited to hospitals, community health centers, HMOs, medical and dental practices, educational settings, social service agencies, tobacco treatment centers, telephone quitlines, drug abuse treatment programs and mental health centers. The TTS may engage not only in providing treatment but also in educating others (health care professionals, administrators, scientists, smokers, nonsmokers) about tobacco dependence treatments."

Equal opportunity in education at Mayo Clinic is a moral and legal obligation. Mayo Clinic is also committed to upholding federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran's status, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.

Course Description

The Mayo Clinic Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification Training Program is an intensive, five-day course focusing on the skills needed to effectively treat tobacco dependence. Faculty will be Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center physicians, psychologists, counseling and education staff, and other Mayo Clinic faculty. A partial list of topics includes: neuropharmacology of nicotine, optimization of pharmacologic management, conducting a basic counseling session, motivational interviewing and other counseling approaches, and application of treatment of tobacco dependence to people with co-morbid conditions. The last half-day of the program will consist of an examination which tests both knowledge and counseling skills. This training program is designed for health-care professionals already providing tobacco dependence treatment and for those with a strong interest in entering the field. Registration is limited in order to facilitate learning and maximize interaction with the experienced faculty.

2009
Cost: $1,000 (subject to change)
All course materials
Pre- and post-course testing
Morning and afternoon snacks/beverages provided daily
Certificate of competency as a TTS (if all requirements are met)
NDC Education Program web site access

Cancellation Policy

Your registration fee, less a $100 administrative fee, will be refunded when written notification is received by Mayo Clinic NDC Education Program two weeks prior to the start of the course. You may fax written notification to 507-255-0652. No refunds will be made after these dates.

Future Training

Program courses will be offered on the following dates in Rochester, Minn. (specific locations to be determined) Apply early. Courses fill quickly:

Course Dates	Cancellation Dates
November 2-6, 2009	October 19, 2009
February 8-12, 2010	January 25, 2010
May 3-7, 2010	April 19, 2010
July 26-30, 2010	July 12, 2010
October 4-8, 2010	September 20, 2010

Course Prerequisites

• Education: Bachelor's degree or within two academic years of completing a bachelor's degree.
• Tobacco use status: Concurrent use of tobacco while treating others for tobacco dependence is detrimental to the person receiving treatment. We strongly recommend that all active tobacco users seek treatment and achieve stable tobacco abstinence from tobacco before treating others. Therefore, we require that anyone applying for TTS certification be tobacco-free for a minimum of six months.

Certification Requirements

Candidate may apply for, and be granted, a TTS certificate if the candidate:

• Completes the 5-day TTS Training Program.
• Holds a Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Demonstrates appropriate skills by achieving a passing score of 80 percent on both the knowledge-based and skills-based examinations.
• Completes 480 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment as part of direct patient/client care, OR
• For those with a graduate degree or higher, completes 240 service hours focused on tobacco dependence treatment as part of direct patient/client care.
• Should the applicant fail the certification examination, application to retake the certification exam (without repetition of the course) and registration fee will be accepted after a six-month interval.

A TTS certificate will be valid for two years. At that point, and every two years thereafter, renewal of your certificate is required. Please see the section titled "Certification Renewal".

Provisional Certification Requirements

Candidate may apply for, and be granted, a provisional TTS certificate if the candidate:

• Completes the training program, and passes the knowledge-based and skill-based examinations.

A provisional TTS certificate will be valid for only two years after issue. Provisional certificates allow an opportunity for those in training or pursuing a degree to obtain the necessary requirements for permanent certification. Individuals who do not complete the required course work and/or required service hours within two years will be required to repeat the entire certification process.

Certification Renewal

• Renewal of the Certification will require documentation of 18 Continuing Education Hours/Continuing Medical Education credits granted by an accredited organization (100% must be specific to treatment of tobacco use and dependence) over those two years. Payment of the $30 renewal administrative fee must accompany the request for renewal. (NOTE: Attendance at future Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Conferences may be applied to fulfill the continuing education requirements.)

We now have a DVD available for purchase that can also be used for continuing education credits. Click on the link below:

Distance Educational Offerings

Provided by the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Education Program

This is an opportunity for Tobacco Treatment Specialists and other health–care practitioners who are interested in educational sessions via webcasts or conference calls. These sessions will meet the requirements for continuing education hours needed for Mayo Clinic’s Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification.

Course size is limited.
Continuing Education Hour: 1

Application Process

Submit application to the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center along with the following materials:

• Register for Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification training online. Select date of training and click on link.
• Registration fee must be paid in full by credit card (online); or you may send a check payable to: Mayo Foundation Nicotine Education Program
• Fax or mail in the Service Hours form – fillable form online (please be sure to include a brief description of your service hours experience). Print form and either send via mail or fax (507-255-0652). Please remember you must sign the form and also acquire a supervising signature to verify your experience.
• Request official academic transcript(s) sent directly to us from the academic institution where you received your highest academic degree. Translate to English if non-English transcript.

Return application materials to:

Mayo Clinic Nicotine Education Program
Colonial Building 3-10
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Summary:

• To reserve a spot for an upcoming course, registration fee must be paid in full.
• In order to receive your certificate, upon taking the training and passing the exams, all application materials must be received. This includes registration fee, Service Hours form, and your official transcripts.

** Early registration is encouraged, as enrollment is limited. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure all required materials are submitted on time. The applicant will receive an email confirmation once their payment is received. Upon enrollment in the course, you will be able to download all course information online. If you have questions please contact Susan (Susie) Bennett at 507-266-1093 or bennett.susan@mayo.edu.