The Rocky Mountain Tobacco Treatment Specialist (RMTTS) Training Program was developed to train interdisciplinary healthcare providers and community and public health professionals to become tobacco cessation champions for their organizations and communities. This program offers the highest quality tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) training based on the latest evidence-based tobacco cessation research and treatment strategies.
The RMTTS Training Program provides a comprehensive, focused, and convenient process by which individuals can master the core competencies defined by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) and obtain the necessary training required for a national tobacco treatment specialist certification application. For more information about how accreditation and the professionalization of this certificate work, please see the Journal of Smoking Cessation article, Increasing the Quality and Availability of Evidence-based Treatment for Tobacco Dependence through Unified Certification of Tobacco Treatment Specialists.
Fall 2024 Virtual Training Dates:
October 21-24, 2024
Registration closes October 7, 2024
“As a TTS I will work as a team with our providers to help individuals, groups, and our Tribal community to understand the dangers from nicotine. I feel this training has equipped me with the tools and skills it takes to help and recommend in an educated fashion.” -RMTTS Participant
“I feel much more knowledgeable about nicotine dependence assessment, effects of nicotine in the brain, and use of pharmacotherapy. I feel much more equipped to provide education to people seeking tobacco interventions, and I plan to use the resources offered. Everyone had such a wonderful presenting style and made it easy to stay engaged. I am already thinking about ways this training will directly impact my practice!” -RMTTS Participant
“A greater understanding of the assessment intake processes, pharmacotherapy, and CBT will help me as I work with the Quitline to increase accessibility and utilization among the populations most heavily burdened by tobacco.” -RMTTS Participant
“I hope to use this training within my community, since we see first-hand barriers to receiving care. We are in a rural community with minimal to no specialists in the area. I hope to use the expertise I have gained to work closely with the schools and youth serving organizations, and hopefully support people in their nicotine/tobacco cessation journeys.” -RMTTS Participant
“I found the role play section of the RMTTS program to be very helpful! It gave me the chance to try out MI and open-ended questions, so that I could provide more useful feedback to my clients.” -RMTTS Participant
The RMTTS Program consists of an interactive, 4-day training experience focused on providing the necessary knowledge, clinical skills, and evidence-based treatment strategies to effectively treat tobacco dependence. This program facilitates trainee mastery of the ATTUD Core Competencies Skill Sets and is structured such that the first three days consist of focused instruction along with interactive and hands-on learning activities, group discussion, and role-play. During the second and third mornings, participants will complete a short, 30-minute examination of material covered the previous day. On the fourth day, participants will complete a two-part exam, consisting of a comprehensive multiple choice/short answer component and a case study component designed to assess trainees’ understanding of treatment strategies in a “real world” context. Graduates will leave this training program confident in their abilities to effectively treat tobacco dependence.
There are two national certifications for Tobacco Treatment Specialists.
The National Certification in Nicotine and Tobacco Treatment (NCNTT) through NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals https://www.naadac.org/ncntt
Certified Professional by The American Heart Association (CPAHA) https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/healthcare-certification/cpaha/tobacco-treatment-certification