NTMC Initial Recertification is an opportunity to recommit yourself to the power and importance of touch and massage while refueling your passion for neuroprotective, developmental, family-integrated care. This educational opportunity will update your knowledge and enhance your skills learned during your original NTMC Certification, as well as provide you with continued resources, updated references, and opportunities for further growth.
NTMC Initial Recertification is completed entirely online and provides the opportunity to earn contact hours and maintain your professional credentials. (NTMNC for RNs and NTMTC for OTs, PTs, SLPs)
Who is Eligible for Initial Recertification?
Initial Recertification is offered to all NTMC Professionals who completed Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification two years ago. Registration will open yearly in early May and completion is required by the end of August. You will receive an email about registration at that time. There is no action required between now and then.
You are Eligible for Initial Recertification in 2023 if you attended NTMC Training:
- Virtual – Jan 22 & 23, 2021
- Virtual – Feb 5 & 6, 2021
- Virtual – Mar 19 & 20, 2021
- Virtual – April 23 & 24, 2021
- Virtual – May 7 & 8, 2021
- Virtual – May 21 & 22, 2021
- Virtual – Jun 19 & 20, 2021
- Virtual – July 24 & 25, 2021
- Columbus, OH – Aug 13 & 14, 2021
- Virtual – Sep 10 & 11, 2021
- Virtual – Oct 9 & 10, 2021
- Virtual – Oct 22 & 23, 2021
- Tucson, AZ – Nov 5 & 6, 2021
Unsure when you’re due to recertify? Click here and search for your name in our NTMC directory to find out!
Initial Recertification Details
Course Description:
NTMC Initial Recertification is an opportunity to recommit to the power and importance of touch and massage while refueling passion for neuroprotective, developmental, family-integrated care. This educational opportunity will update knowledge and enhance skills learned during the original NTMC Certification, as well as provide continued resources, updated references, and opportunities for further growth.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of NTMC Initial Recertification, the leaner will be able to:
- Combine three caregiving activities to optimize neonatal development and the parent experience.
- Develop a plan of care for three babies with different diagnoses based on benefits of massage identified in the literature.
Course Includes:
- Webinar 1: Developmental Progression of the Preterm Infant Throughout the First Year, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
- Webinar 2: Positioning & Handling, Virginia E. McGill, DPT, CLWT, NTMTC
- Webinar 3: Communicating with Parents, Kiera Sorrells, BSFCS
- Webinar 4: The Listening Touch Massage with the NICU Patient, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
- Webinar 5: Myofascial Trigger Point Release Techniques for the NICU Patient (Therapists Only), Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
- Webinar 6: Massage Video Analysis
- Webinar 7: Myofascial Trigger Point Release Video Analysis (Therapists Only)
- Webinar 8: Massage Literature Review, Shannon Usher, MSOT, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
Additional Resources:
- An updated Reference List with the most relevant research in neuroprotective, family-centered, developmental care
- A Listening Touch Massage Reference Sheet
- Myofascial Trigger Point Release Reference Sheet (Therapists Only)
- 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!
Developmental Progression of the Preterm Infant Throughout the First Year, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
53 minutes| 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.
Communicating with Parents, Kiera Sorells, BSFCS
38 minutes| 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.
Positioning & Handling, Virginia E. McGill, DPT, CLWT, NTMTC
54 minutes| 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.
The Listening Touch Massage with the NICU Patient, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
12 minutes| 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.
Myofascial Trigger Point Release Techniques for the NICU Patient, Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
22 minutes| 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.
Video Analysis
3 minutes| View a video vignette of a neonatal caregiving practice and analyze the techniques being used.
Massage Literature Review, Shannon Usher, MSOT, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
66 minutes| Provides the most current and evidence-based literature in relationship to neonatal touch and massage.
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.
Access NTMC Initial Recertification Speakers’ Disclosures Here
KARA ANN WAITZMAN, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC
Kara Ann has been a neonatal therapist for 36 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 Original Co-Founder of Infant-Driven Feeding® and original co-developer of the Infant-Driven Feeding Scales© She is certified in NTMC, is Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) trained, reliable in NIDCAP. She has served on the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Continuum of Care Advisory Board and Power of Touch Committee, the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) Professional Collaborative, the Pampers Womb to World Advisory Board, and the March of Dimes Program Services board. Kara Ann has been a nationally sought after speaker, educator, and consultant for over two decades and has published articles on positioning and feeding, and written a chapter on Neuromotor Development and Massage. She developed videos 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 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 professional 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. 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.
NTMC Initial Recertification is an advanced continuing education activity.
Who can complete NTMC Initial Recertification?
- All NTMC professionals are eligible to complete the NTMC recertification process 2 years after their original certification.
- Those NTMC Professionals who 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.
What is the process for NTMC Initial Recertification?
You will receive NTMC Initial Recertification information by April of your certification year.
- Register as a NTMNC (NTMC Nurse) or as a NTMTC (NTMC Therapist) and gain instant access to the On-Line Training Portal
- Complete the On-Line Training
- Nurses will complete 5 online webinars (earning 4.6 Contact Hours) and therapists will complete 6 online webinars (earning 4.75 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 reflecting on the knowledge and skills you gained from NMTC.
- Complete the On-Line Evaluation and then download your CEU & NTMC Certificates!
Fees for NTMC Initial Recertification:
The fee for Nurses and Therapists is $125.
Access Creative Therapy Consultants’ Policies (i.e. Cancellation, Speaker Disclosures, Special Needs, etc) under the CTC Policies Tab above.
NTMC Initial Recertification is an advanced continuing education activity.
Contact Hours:
Course requirements for the NTMC Initial Recertification includes > 80% test score following each webinar and completion of course evaluation. No partial credit is available.
- 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.
- This PD activity is approved for 4.75 contact hours (0.475 CEUs)
- Speech Language Pathologists
- NTMC Initial Recertification is offered for 0.45 ASHA CEUs.
*Partial credit for course will not be given.
Click HERE to Register
Click the links below for more information about the following topics. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Simply send an email to NTMC@neonatalcertification.com