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Updated on May 6, 2018

DECMEMBER 2017

Introduction

The National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) is a long established and respected certification organization for those who support the delivery of undersea medicine and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  In 1991 certification in hyperbaric technology was introduced. Hyperbaric nursing certification became available in 1995. This was followed by certification in veterinary hyperbaric technology in 2011.  Whether you are preparing to take one of these certification examinations, or find it time to re-new, you will find a great deal of helpful information and guidance within the pages of the NBDHMT website. http://www.nbdhmt.org

CERTIFIED HYPERBARIC TECHNOLOGIST (CHT) TRAINING AND COMPETENCY

INITIAL CERTIFICATION CHT

  • Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. 
  • CHT® applicants must have completed a National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) approved hyperbaric medicine introductory training course within three years of intended CHT test date. 
  • As part of the clinical internship, the CHT® must complete the Transcutaneous Oxygen Monitoring (TCOM) Module.
  • Upon completion of an approved course, CHT® applicants must undergo a clinical work experience of 480 hours in undersea, hyperbaric medicine or aviation medical technology. Forty (40) hours of this requirement must be a supervised direct and physically present clinical internship. The Board must be notified in writing of the name of the preceptor prior to commencing the internship. The preceptor should be either a CHT or a CHRN with a minimum of two years experience.
  • Military personnel must complete 1000 clinical hours in addition to required, approved, training received in the military (unless 480 hours of approved clinical internship can be completed at an NBDHMT approved facility)  
  • Maintain a minimum 24 continuing education credits every two years with at least 12 of those specific to undersea, hyperbaric, or aviation medicine

RECERTIFICATION CHT

Re-certification is awarded upon:

  • Completion and verification of required continuing education credits, continued workplace experience, submission of the re-certification form and a $100.00 fee. 
  • Continuing Education Requirements: A minimum of 24 hours of education credits (hours) are required during each re-certification period. At least 12 must be Category A, defined as education and training directly related to the practice of undersea, hyperbaric or hypobaric medicine. Of these 12 credits, at least 9 (75%) must relate to ‘core competency’, namely technical, operational and safety aspects of the hyperbaric/hypobaric delivery system. They may be earned through attendance at meetings and conferences that have received prior-approval from the NBDHMT to award such credits. They may also be obtained through each CHT’s institutional employer who provides periodic knowledge and skills maintenance, and skills updating, likewise approved by the NBDHMT. 
  • If not all of the 24 hours are Category A, the balance can be made up with Category B credits. These are defined as those programs and courses that provide more generalized information related to allied health care professional knowledge and skills. Examples include BLS and ACLS certification/recertification, clinical practice and compliance updates, emerging technologies, potential new uses, etc. 

CERTIFIED HYPERBARIC REGISTERED NURSE (CHRN) TRAINING AND COMPETENCY

For nurses to be certified in their specialty is similar to physicians becoming boarded. It signifies a degree of competence and education in the field, and a standard knowledge base.  The Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA) was created in 1985. The Baromedical Nurses Association Certification Board (BNACB) was established in 1995. The BNACB mission is to provide nurses with a professional organization and certification to define,develop, maintain, and promote status and standards of Baromedical nursing. CHRN® is an internationally recognized certification. Certification is valid for four years.

INITIAL CERTIFICATION CHRN

Certification is an added qualification for the registered nurse. It is not an entry level pathway for hyperbaric nursing. The candidate must have met the following requirements when applying for basic CHRN level certification. 

  • Registered Nurse degree granted from an accredited school of nursing. 
  • Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the state where you practice hyperbaric nursing.
  • A minimum of two years clinical experience in an in-hospital or hospital based clinic setting, or one year critical care experience. 
  • Certification in Basic Life Support by American Heart Association. Candidates may submit a waiver from their facility that validates an alternate certification body is utilized facility wide. This alternate certification must comply with AHA standards. 
  • Successful completion of an entry level 40 hour NBDHMT approved Hyperbaric Medicine training course within five years of this application. UHMS courses must be approved by NBDHMT. If course attendance is greater than five years, applicant must show proof of 60 Category "A" (hyperbaric related) CE. (Nursing school transcripts do not qualify for initial certification) 
  • Minimum of one-year active hyperbaric medicine experience within the last two years, which includes 480 hours of direct hyperbaric patient care performed after the initial entry level course, recorded and signed by your medical director, to include dates, hours spent, and activities performed after attending the above referenced course. 
  • Submit the experience log with your application This log is only used for your initial certification ONLY, you do not need to keep a log of hours after your initial certification, but you must submit all other requirements  An example of the experience log may be found online: http://nbdhmt.org/forms/CHRN_Experience_Log.pdf
  • Letter of recommendation from your employer, including validation of hyperbaric experience.
  • Active CHT (minimum of one year) that has only been an RN for one year may sit for the CHRN exam; must meet all other requirements. 

RECERTIFICATION CHRN

  • Complete an application for recertification.
  • Have a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the state where practicing hyperbaric nursing.
  • Certification in Basic Life Support by American Heart Association. Candidates may submit a waiver from their facility that validates an alternate certification body is utilized facility wide. This alternate certification must comply with AHA standards.
  • Complete forty hours (40) of continuing education credits (hours) per previous four years, with at least twenty (20) of those credits in the field of hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Category A. 

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