The Tobacco Dependence Program (TDP) is dedicated to reducing the harm to health caused by tobacco use. The TDP particularly aims to provide expertise on quitting smoking for those who need it most.
We do this through education, treatment, research and advocacy.
 

UMDNJ-Tobacco Dependence Program
in collaboration with the
Center for Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Research - School of Public Health
and
Division of Addiction Psychiatry - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Presents
Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training

Although the Tobacco Dependence Program has been training Tobacco Dependence Treatment Specialists since 2000, we are proud to now offer certification for this training via the The Certification Board, Inc. This 5-day, intensive (42-hour) curriculum prepares health care professionals to become tobacco dependence treatment specialists. This curriculum is offered three times per year, typically in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

UMDNJ-Tobacco Dependence Program’s CTTS Training
is one of a select group of ATTUD Accredited training programs offered

Overview
The Tobacco Dependence Program of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health has developed this training to prepare professionals to provide intensive specialist treatment for tobacco dependence. The 5-Day Core Training will provide health professionals with an in-depth understanding of Tobacco Dependence, as well as the essential science-based treatment tools necessary to help their client’s achieve freedom from tobacco use. The nationally recognized faculty brings to this training a wealth of expertise in tobacco control, nicotine addiction, medical consequences of tobacco use, treatment of tobacco dependence, program development and evaluation, and treating tobacco addiction with special populations such as those with mental illness and other addictions or young people. The training format allows for an interactive and comprehensive educational experience. Participants can expect to leave the training competent to effectively treat patients for tobacco dependence and to provide other services that will help organizations to address tobacco use. The curriculum provides knowledge of evidence-based treatment methods and provides participants with necessary skills and tools needed to assess and treat smokers in multiple settings. The CTTS training meets all of the requirements set forth in the US Pubic Health Guidelines as well as the proposed standards for competencies for tobacco treatment specialists developed by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD).

Who Should Take This Training?
Tobacco use remains the chief preventable cause of death in the United States. Health care clinicians working in various settings routinely have opportunities to treat people for tobacco dependence. The Tobacco Dependence Treatment Specialist training is relevant to any health professional who provides clinical care to people who use tobacco. This includes nurses and nurse practitioners, doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, mental health professionals, addiction professionals and social workers. The training will prepare health professionals to provide their patients/clients with effective evidenced-based interventions for tobacco dependence. Professionals such as health academics, health policy experts, health educators and health officers, or others with an interest in tobacco and health can also benefit from the training in that it will present up-to-date research on topics such as public health and tobacco, group therapy, behavior change methods, and program evaluation.

Prerequisites for Certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist
The criteria for becoming a CTTS were initially developed collaboratively by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, national expert reviewers, tobacco treatment professionals and the University of Medicine and Dentistry - Tobacco Dependence Program, which are described in the New Jersey Guidelines for Tobacco Treatment. The New Jersey guidelines outline prerequisites and training objectives that must be met before a health-care provider is considered a certified tobacco dependence treatment specialist. These include evidence-based tobacco specific assessment, counseling, and treatment knowledge and skills. These guidelines have in part been integrated into the new standards for competencies being developed by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.
In order to obtain Certification, candidates must have a Masters or above in the Human Services field with one year of full-time counseling or health care experience, OR, a Bachelors in Human Services with two years of full-time counseling or health care experience, OR a CADC/LCADC/ nursing OR other recognized health related qualification, with four years of full time counseling or health care experience. The CTTS is not an independent clinical practice credential and should only be used for work within health care or counseling settings.
There are no specific prerequisite requirements to participate in the 5-day tobacco treatment training course.  Many health professionals find the material and information learned during the course extremely valuable in their daily activities, regardless of their interest to pursue certification.

Certification Process
The following steps are required for Certification as a Tobacco Dependence Treatment Specialist:

  1. Successful completion of 42 credit hours via the Tobacco Dependence Program,
    UMDNJ School of Public Health
  2. $225 non-refundable initial application review fee (download application now!)
  3. Job Description signed by supervisor and program director
  4. Program Description signed by program director
  5. Applicant Resume.
    1. References: 1 Supervisor from within your facility
    2. Signed and witnessed authorization and release form
    3. Signed Statement of Understanding
    4. Signed Ethical Standard

Recertification Requirements

  • Eighteen (18) hours of continuing education on tobacco dependence treatment every two (2) years
  • $225 non-refundable recertification fee
  • Submission of recertification application

Continuing Education Credits (Click here for detailed information)

  • Participants must sign in and out, and complete an evaluation form to receive credit for each day.
  • Participants must come on time and be in attendance for the entire designated time period.
  • This 5-Day Core CTTS Course will provide you with (42 Hours) of training.

Comments of Past Attendees

  • Over 95% of participants rate our training as doing a “very good” to “excellent” in preparing persons to become tobacco treatment specialists.
  • 100% of participants say they would recommend this training to a colleague.
  • “The binder and handouts are an excellent resource. The teaching staff - very professional & excellently prepared.”
  • “I have been to thousands of hours of training, but yours was the best ever. The organization of the program, the professionalism and knowledge of the staff are tops!”(Bruce Ehmer, MS, LPC, CAC/CCS, Kennedy Health System)
  • “It was a great training and I learned a lot even with my past experience through Mayo and NAADAC.” (Aimee Maychack, Ohio State Coordinator, Smoking Cessation and Prevention Initiative)
125 Paterson Street, Suite 2300 | New Brunswick, NJ 08903 | Phone 732 235-8222 | Fax 732 235-7144