Initial Recertification

Developmental Progression of the Preterm Infant Throughout the First Year, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Reviews the typical development of a micro-preemie through one year of age, with a review of development of the brain, skin, neuromotor and family, along with suggested caregiving practices to optimize growth and development in these areas.|53 minutes

Communicating with Parents, Kiera Sorells, BSFCS

This presentation will explore the specific psychosocial needs of high-risk mothers and NICU parents to uncover common barriers of communication and provide tools, strategies, and resources to overcome those barriers and improve outcomes.|38 minutes

Positioning & Handling, Virginia E. McGill, DPT, CLWT, NTMTC

Positioning of the neonate effects their postural and neuromotor development as well as their current physiologic stability and sleep. In this module you will learn why the neonate is particularly susceptible to changes in their development due to positioning and how to optimize their function now and for the future through infant positioning and handling.|54 minutes

The Listening Touch Massage with the NICU Patient, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Reviews the implementation and education of a mom completing massage with her son. This video has the added benefit of viewing how a massage can be completed with an infant in the NICU who is intubated.|12 minutes

Myofascial Trigger Point Release Techniques for the NICU Patient, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Demonstrates myofascial trigger point releases (MTPR) through NICU patient videos. Infant behavioral and musculoskeletal responses are easily visualized. Specific landmarks for MTPR are described and demonstrated in detail.|22 minutes

Video Analysis

View a video vignette of a neonatal caregiving practice and analyze the techniques being used.|3 minutes

Massage Literature Review, Shannon Usher, MSOT, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Provides the most current and evidence-based literature in relationship to neonatal touch and massage.|66 minutes

Exemplar Submission

Identify a skill from your NTMC training that has been the most helpful to you in your neonatal practice. In a one page narrative, explain how this skill has impacted your practice and how you have incorporated that skill into patient care either personally or unit wide.

KARA ANN WAITZMAN, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Kara Ann has been a neonatal therapist for over 25 years in a level III NICU and serves as the nursery’s developmental specialist. Kara Ann is president of Creative Therapy Consultants, Founder of the Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC), and Co-Founder of Infant-Driven Feeding®. She is certified in NTMC, is Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) trained, certified in NIDCAP, and earned the Neonatal Developmental Care Specialist Designation through NANN. She served on AWHONN’s Continuum of Care Advisory Board, and currently serves on National Association of Neonatal Therapists’ Professional Collaborative as well as the Marchof Dimes Program Services board. Kara Ann has been a nationally sought after speaker, educator, and consultant for over a decade and has published articles on positioning and feeding, and written a chapter on Neuromotor Development and Massage. She developed and sells DVDs on Massage, Skin-to-Skin, and Swaddled Bathing. Kara Ann has received professional awards including the Ohio Occupational Therapy Pediatric Model Practice Award, the March of Dimes Healthcare Worker of the Year Award, the MVH Excellence in Service Award and the 2015 Inaugural Pioneer in Neonatal Therapy Award from the National Association of Neonatal Therapists.

SHANNON USHER, MSOT, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC

Shannon received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Washington University School of Medicine. She has been working in the NICU since she started her processional career and currently works in a large Level III NICU in Colorado Springs, CO. She also participates in the Infant Developmental Assessment Clinic in Colorado Springs. Shannon has presented many times on the local and national level both in live and pre-recorded formats. She is a clinical consultant and CE Administrator with Creative Therapy Consultants. Shannon has completed developmental assessments with a Nationwide National Institute of Health research study and she also volunteers with the Junior League of Colorado Springs.

VIRGINIA MCGILL, PT, DPT, PCS, CLWT, NTMTC

Virginia McGill or Ginny received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Creighton University in 2001. She then practiced in Phoenix, Arizona in home care for developmentally delayed children and adults before transitioning in to the inpatient setting at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She began neonatal practice in 2003. Neonatal therapy has been her practice focus from since then and has continued in Anchorage, Alaska where she moved in 2008. Ginny is now the Neonatal Therapy Supervisor for The Children’s Hospital at Providence Alaska Medical Center. She has developed competencies for therapy practice and nursing education programs for developmental care quality improvement. She has participated in VON work and the development of practice for micro preemie care and kangaroo care. She has aspecial interest in skin care and is part of the NICU wound care team after receiving certification in wound and lymphedema treatment. Ginny enjoys living in Alaska and all it has to offer with frequent time spent kayaking, hiking, camping and kiteboarding.

KEIRA SORRELLS, BSFCS

Keira Sorrells is the mother of triplets born at 25 weeks, 5 days gestation. Ms. Sorrells spent nine and a half months in the NICU with her girls and experienced every parent’s greatest fear when one of her daughters died at 14 months old. In 2008, these traumas led Ms. Sorrells to launch the Zoe Rose Memorial Foundation, a non-profit that supports NICU families. She soon became aware that the voice of the NICU parent was underrepresented in Maternal and Infant Health community. In response, Ms. Sorrells helped launch and now serves as President of the Preemie Parent Alliance (PPA). PPA a network of over 30 NICU parent support organizations that is dedicated to representing the needs and best interests of NICU families in all facets of healthcare policy, care guidelines, advocacy, education, and family support. Ms. Sorrells strongly believes that no single organization or provider can serve all the needs of all NICU families, only through collaboration can the true voice of the NICU parent be represented appropriately.

Access NTMC Recertification I Speakers’ Disclosures Here

Who can complete NTMC Initial Recertification?

• All NTMC professionals are eligible to complete the NTMC recertification process 2 years after their original certification.

What is the process for NTMC Initial Recertification?

1. You will receive NTMC Initial Recertification information by April of your certification year.
   1. Register as a NTMC Nurse or as a NTMC Therapist
   2. Complete the NTMC Recertification Form.
   3. Complete the On-Line Training after you receive your unique login and password to access the Training Portal.
      • Nurses will complete 5 online webinars (earning 5.5 Contact Hours) and therapists will complete 6 online webinars (earning 5.0 Contact Hours) with a short test after each webinar (tests scores must be >80%).
      • View a video vignette and take the test with a >80%.
      • Submit a one page narrative answering the exemplar provided on the portal
   4. Complete the On-Line Evaluation and then receive your Certificates!

Special Needs Requests Can Be Made Directly to support@infantdriven.com

Education Level & Professional Credentials

This is an advanced continuing education activity. Those NTMC Professionals who choose to complete NTMC Initial Recertification will maintain their professional credentials of Neonatal Touch & Massage Nurse Certified (NTMNC) or Neonatal Touch & Massage Therapist Certified (NTMTC) for an additional 2 years.

Fees for NTMC Initial Recertification:

The fee for Nurses and Therapists is $125.

Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC) is proud to announce Earth Mama Organics is supporting our mission to educate neonatal caregivers about the tremendous impact their touch has in improving the lives of babies and their families.  Earth Mama Organics strongly believes in empowerment through education, and therefore is providing scholarships to neonatal healthcare professionals for NTMC Recertification. NTMC recognizes that in addition to a gentle, intentionally comforting touch, the safety of the products used to facilitate neonatal massage is critical. Founded by a nurse, Earth Mama Organics’ core belief is to do no harm; and that same nurse is the one formulates Earth Mama’s entire line of safe, clean and effective herbal solutions for mamas and their babies.

Access Creative Therapy Consultants’ Cancellation Policy Here

Contact Hours:

• Nurses:
  • This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (OBN-001-91) for 4.6 contact hours, approval number 2022-0000000193.
• Physical Therapists
  • This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of  Physical Therapy Examiners for 4.75 CCUs for PTs and PTAs.
• Occupational Therapists
  • Creative Therapy Consultants is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 04271. This distance learning independent training is offered at 0.475 CEUs, in advanced level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery & Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.

*Partial credit for course will not be given.

You will continue to receive updates, literature summaries, webinars, access to CTC staff for clinical consultation and other valuable resources throughout the next two years when you register for NTMC Recertification!