APPLY FOR CREDENTIALLING AS A NICOTINE TREATMENT SPECIALIST
Who is a Nicotine Treatment Specialist?
A Nicotine Treatment Specialist (NTS) is a professional with the skills, knowledge and training to provide effective, evidence-based interventions, education, research, health promotion and policy for tobacco dependence across a range of intensities. The NTS may be a psychologist, general practitioner, pharmacist, nurse, researcher, or drug and alcohol counsellor and may work in hospitals, community health centres, medical and dental practices, smoking clinics, telephone quitlines, drug and alcohol treatment programs and mental health centres or work independently. The NTS may engage not only in providing treatment but also in education and research activities about tobacco dependence.
Why apply for professional credentialling with ASVCP?
Credentialling with ASVCP is free for APSAD members and provides a mechanism to formally recognise Nicotine Treatment Specialists working in Australasia. Once credentialled, Nicotine Treatment Specialists receive a certificate of credential.
Standards for Credentialling as a Nicotine Treatment Specialist
The following criteria must be met for this category:
- Current APSAD Individual or Individual Reduced-Fee member.
- A current registered qualification in nursing/ medicine/ pharmacy/ AOD/ physiotherapy/ psychology/ health education or relevant qualifications as deemed suitable by the committee.
- A minimum of 1 year work in the field of smoking cessation.
- Work a minimum of 4 hours per week or 16 hours per month of smoking cessation-related work (this includes research, education, training or treatment) per week.
- Successful completion of a smoking cessation training course.
- Stated commitment to adhere to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
How to apply for Nicotine Treatment Specialist Credentialling?
To be able to apply for credentialling, applicants must be a current member of APSAD. If you are interested in applying for the NTS credential and are an existing APSAD member please complete the NTS Application Form online.
If you are not currently a member, you can apply for membership, then complete the NTS application form.
ASVCP NTS Credentialled members must earn a minimum of 10 CPD points annually and remain a financial member of APSAD to renew their ASVCP Nicotine Treatment Specialist Credential.
To renew your NTS Credential download and complete the CPD Activity Table then complete the CPD Renewal form - make sure you upload your completed activity table.
Evaluation of Applications
The ASVCP-SIG Credentialling Committee approves applications in accordance with Membership Application Guidelines. The ASVCP SIG Credentialling Committee comprises four members with qualifications and over five years' of experience in the delivery of smoking cessation interventions. The Credentialling Committee will assess all applications based on the information provided. The Committee reserves the right to seek additional material if necessary. The recommendations of the Committee are sent to ASVCP-SIG Chair for approval. Successful applicants will receive a certificate of credentialling. Explanations for non-acceptance will be made and are provided to applicants when notified in writing of the outcome.