Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training

Tobacco Treatment Specialists (TTSs) are health care professionals that possess the skills, knowledge, and training to provide effective, evidence-based interventions for tobacco dependence across a range of treatment intensities. The 4-day MUSC Tobacco Treatment Specialist training is designed to train multidisciplinary clinicians who work in various health care and community settings including primary care, behavioral health, addictions and rehabilitation settings, public housing, oncology settings, and worksite wellness.

Our TTS training meets all of the requirements set forth in the U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines as well as the standards for competencies for tobacco treatment specialists developed by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD). Our training is also fully accredited by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (CTTTP).

In addition to completing your TTS training in the beautiful, historic city of Charleston, we will have national experts providing unique and cutting-edge training on the following topics:

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for smoking cessation
• Evidence-based practices and recommendations for e-cigarettes
• New and alternative tobacco products
• Culturally competent counseling for tobacco treatment 

Training Details: Winter 2025

Date & Location

Feb. 25 – 28, 2025
Hollings Cancer Center Room 120
Charleston, SC

Registration Fee

The registration fee is $1,200.

Registration

The training format is in person through lectures and group activities. To sign up or for any questions, contact:

Stephanie Stansell, Ph.D., CTTS, NCTTP
Phone: 843-792-1397
Email: youngers@musc.edu

You can also register online. Registration will close Feb. 21, 2025.

Who should take this training?

Health care professionals working in various settings are uniquely positioned to treat people for tobacco dependence. These include and are not limited to nurses and nurse practitioners, physicians, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, mental health professionals, health educators, addiction professionals, certified counselors and therapists, social workers, and others with an interest in decreasing tobacco use in their community.

This training will present up-to-date research on topics such as public health and tobacco, behavior change, and program evaluation to aid in all trainees to best serve their patients and community members.

CME's are available for the following:

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Respiratory Therapists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors
• Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES)
• Family and Marriage Counselors

Objectives

At the end of this training participants will be able to:

• Provide clear and accurate information about tobacco use, strategies for quitting, the scope of the health impact on the population, the causes and consequences of tobacco use.
• Demonstrate effective application of counseling theories and strategies to establish a collaborative relationship, and to facilitate client involvement in treatment and commitment to change.
• Conduct an assessment interview to obtain comprehensive and accurate data needed for treatment planning.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop an individualized treatment plan using evidence-based treatment strategies.
• Provide clear and accurate information about pharmacotherapy options available and their therapeutic use.
• Offer methods to reduce relapse and provide ongoing support for tobacco-dependent persons.
• Demonstrate competence in working with population subgroups and those who have specific health issues.
• Describe and use methods for tracking individual progress, record keeping, program documentation, outcome measurement, and reporting.
• Utilize resources available for client support and for professional education or consultation.
• Consistently use a code of ethics and adhere to government regulations specific to the health care or work site setting.
• Assume responsibility for continued professional development and contributing to the development of others.