National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology

As you “dive” around our site you will find that we have provided a short History” of the NBDHMT, some information on “Who we are”, a “Resource Manual” for each of you (CHT, DMT, CHRN), the testing schedule, approved Hyperbaric Medicine Introductory courses, DMT approved training facilities and instructors, an “On-line store” and a list of our Board of Directors complete with email addresses and a “Contact” page. The “Resource Manuals” contain all of the information, with forms, that you need to attain and maintain your certification. I would suggest that you download it for your files and to use as a quick reference.

If you have any suggestions as to how we can make this site more useful to you please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Keep an “eye” on the “Message from the Prez” page where I will be posting pertinent updates, messages, pictures and an occasional word (or words) to live by.

Hope to hear from you!

Paul Baker, NBDHMT President

Read my last "Message From The Prez!" [Jan 10, 2008]

Paul C. Baker, CHT
NBDHMT, President

The mission of the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) is to provide board certification and ongoing support to hyperbaric technologists, hyperbaric nurses and diving medical technicians to ensure that the fields of hyperbaric medicine, hyperbaric chamber operation, and diving medicine are with the most highly qualified personnel possible.

	Define and promote safe application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and diving medicine

	For the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT), Diving Medical Technician (DMT) and the Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN):

		Develop, administer and evaluate a certification program

		Promote professional development

		Promote recognition by other specialty organizations

		Establish standards for introductory training course curriculum

		Provide continuing education units for recertification (as applicable)

The NBDHMT was formed in 1991 and introduced a certification program for all technologists working in

the field, as well as establishing an introductory training course curriculum standard for those desiring to enter the field. The NBDHMT feels very strongly about having properly trained personnel on duty in all hyperbaric medicine units and we are working very hard at making sure that we have the very best trained certified technologists and nurses in the medical field. Certification is offered as an “added qualification.” Our goal is to make the specialty of clinical hyperbaric medicine one of the most respected and sought after specialties in existence. It is not the intent of the NBDHMT to provide an “entry level” pathway for certification.

It was anticipated that this broad cross section of health care providers would include registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nurses aides, medical assistants, therapists, chamber technicians, physician assistants, diving medical technicians, corpsmen, physiologists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, respiratory therapists, medical services specialists, researchers, and physicians involved in the delivery of undersea, hyperbaric and aviation medicine, and related research activities.

A decision to take a certification exam demonstrates a desire to advance specialty practice and commitment to the profession. Certification demonstrates the qualifications as a specialist through an objective evaluation of the knowledge that has been acquired beyond what is required for licensure or practice. Certification focuses on core competency and integration of knowledge into professional practice. The benefits of certification include:

	a.	Recognition as a competent, qualified provider of care
	b.	Recognition among peers as a professional striving to promote excellence
	c.	Enhanced credibility
	d.	Increased opportunities for employment
	e.	Protection of the patient consumer
	f.	Personal satisfaction and intellectual stimulation

Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT), Diving Medical Technician (DMT), and Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) are internationally recognized certifications.





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