The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER

Intensive Treatment of the

Tobacco Dependent Patient

-------------------------------------------------

A Certification Program for

Tobacco Treatment Specialists

Training Opportunities in Jackson, MS 

Overview

This program prepares professionals with appropriate educational and experiential backgrounds to deliver a high-intensity, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral treatment for nicotine dependence.

The ACT Center has trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists (TTS) since 1999, both in Mississippi and various locations nationally. This program represents an expansion of the approach developed and employed to train clinical psychology residents at the University of Mississippi and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Psychology Residency Consortium during 1985-2000 (under Dr. Payne’s direction).

Program faculty have extensive experience in the direct provision of clinical services for nicotine dependence, program management, and TTS training. In addition, ACT Center faculty and colleagues are actively involved in research focused on understanding and managing nicotine dependence. Examples include clinical assessment, behavioral interventions, treatment adherence, pharmacotherapy, models of treatment dissemination, and the genetics of nicotine dependence (please see our recent publications).

Program Description

Tobacco Treatment Specialist Workshop (4-Day): Emphasizes the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills relevant to understanding the addictive nature of tobacco use, its impact on health and other factors, and key clinical activities for assessing and treating the nicotine dependent individual. A unique aspect of this program is that clinical skills are taught within the context of mastering the ACT Center Tobacco Treatment protocol. This manualized, evidence-based approach is the product of many years of testing and experience, and represents an effective balance of state-of-the-art clinical procedures.

Interactive presentations and extensive use of hands-on exercises are interwoven throughout the workshop experience to facilitate the attainment of training goals. All the necessary resources are provided, including the detailed therapist treatment guide, the complementary Client Workbook, and The Clinical Chart booklet, containing all clinical forms. Finally, common administrative and treatment program evaluation issues are reviewed, to prepare attendees for managing a clinical service.

Both the training curriculum and treatment program are routinely updated, incorporating the latest advances emerging in the published scientific literature.

This program was designed to provide the necessary content and experiences for enrollees to achieve the Competency Standards for TTSs, as set forth by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.

Workshop Topics and Activities:

• Workshop Overview, Training Philosophy, and Societal Context
  
• Tobacco’s Toll: Health, Economic, and Other Impacts
• The Biopsychosocial Model
• DSM-IV Nicotine Dependence
• Environmental Tobacco Smoke
• Comprehensive Assessment of the Tobacco User
• The First Contact
• The Intake Evaluation and the Treatment Plan
• Special Populations
• PHS (2000) Guideline Overview
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Group Therapy Techniques and Strategies
• Pharmacotherapy
• Improving Motivation
• Maintaining Abstinence
• Delivering Treatment Sessions 1–6: Modeling and Practice
• Follow-up Sessions
• System and Administrative Considerations
• Treatment Program Evaluation

TTS Upgrade Workshop (2-Day): Designed for those who have received their TTS training elsewhere, this curriculum is designed to provide the experiences and materials for those who would like to implement the ACT Center Tobacco Treatment Program. This workshop is presented based on requests.

Eligibility

In addition to the criteria listed below, being tobacco-free for at least 6 months, along with a stated commitment to remain abstinent, is a prerequisite to attending this workshop.

Education Requirements (you must meet one):

• A master's or doctorate degree (completed, or in-process) in a profession in which counseling skills are emphasized, including but not limited to psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, or psychiatric nursing, with at least 1 year of experience (degree program-based practica / internship / residency / fellowship experiences qualify for counseling requirement)



• Attainment of a BA or BS degree in an area as above, with at least 2 years of counseling-related experience (counseling experience must be post-degree)



• Formal degree in any healthcare profession in which patient contact of a counseling nature is emphasized, such as medicine, dentistry, respiratory therapy, nursing, or pharmacy, plus at least 2 years of counseling-related experience (counseling experience must be post-degree)

Registration Fee (for Jackson trainings)

4-Day TTS Program	2-Day Upgrade Program
General Registration$500 MS Residents$300 Students*$250	All Attendees$250

* Claim of Student status (any U.S. location): an official letter from the student’s institution (that can be verified) must accompany the application form. The student must be enrolled in a curriculum consistent with the education requirements listed above. Seating may be limited based on demand.

Cancellation with full refund is permitted if formally requested via email at least 2 weeks prior to program start.

NOTE: Training events may be conducted at sites outside Jackson upon request. With an adequate number of participants, the costs are often substantially less expensive. Contact Dr. Thomas Payne if you wish to discuss this option.

The fee includes:

• Continental breakfast, afternoon snack, and lunch each day
  
  
• Workshop Manual containing all forms and materials


• Therapist Treatment Guide, Client Workbook, and Clinical Chart
  
  
• Resource CD: Contains a variety of useful resources and reports


• TTS Certificate of Completion


• CTTS examination fee, up to 3 administrations

Application

To apply for the TTS Workshop or Update program:
Download the TTS TRAINING PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM

For more information contact Sue Lane
601.815.1912    slane@sod.umsmed.edu

TTS Certification and Renewal
Formal certification is not yet required at the national level; however currently available institutional options provide an interim solution for recognizing the expertise of those providing services. Interest in national certification is growing, and ACT Center faculty and colleagues have worked closely with the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) to facilitate these efforts.

An award of TTS Certification through the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is considered valid for 3 years. Requirements include:

• Verification of all eligibility criteria



• Completion of the ACT Center TTS Workshop



• Passing the CTTS examination with a score of at least 70%



• Providing documentation of at least 250 hours of evidence-based treatment experience within the 3 years preceding the examination and / or following workshop attendance.