Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) Certificate


Colorado Mountain College provides a comprehensive educational framework for entry into the field of addictions studies and offers a certificate of proficiency in Certified Addiction Technician (CAT, previously known as CAC 1) and a certificate of proficiency in Certified Addiction Specialist  (CAS, previously known as CAC 2).  CMC provides exceptional learning experiences in the mandatory coursework for each certificate, meeting the state and national standards for addiction work.

These certificates focus on the hands-on learning of skills that enhance student’s capacity to support individuals and families in the process of recovery across home, health, purpose, community (from SAMSHA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) using inclusive, culturally responsive approaches.

Certification in the state of Colorado requires specialized training and supervised field experience in the addiction field. CMC’s programs offer all the specialized training for credit college-level courses and opportunities for field experience that count toward the hours for certification.

These certificates lead to work and educational opportunities, including but not limited to:

  • Employment in addiction recovery, counseling centers, hospitals, youth recovery facilities or residential treatment centers.
  • Educational pathways: Addiction Studies, Criminology/law enforcement, Mental Health, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, and Behavioral Health

Courses are available online, in a combination of real-time virtual class meetings and some self-paced semester courses. Students can enroll in and take these classes from any CMC location, but must live within the service area for support in placement of field experience. Some classes may require limited in person meetings (per state mandate); times, dates, and central location will be identified prior to the start of any semester.

Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) Certificate


A Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) works in entry-level positions as a person who can help the individual with dependence on substances and possible destructive behaviors, and their families. Certified Addiction Technicians can work in a variety of environments, including but not limited to, outpatient facilities, in-patient rehabilitation centers, transition houses, or hospitals.

Certified Addiction Technicians learn and use specialized skills including, but not limited to:

  • Collecting biopsychosocial screening data
  • Coordinating service and case management
  • Monitoring compliance with case management plans
  • Providing skill-based education
  • Co-facilitating therapy groups with Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) or Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC)
  • Sharing addiction education with client, family and community
  • Planning and resourcing referral for, and discharge from services

CMC believes that individuals and families of those working with addictions want support from adults with strong socio-emotional skills including empathy, compassion, respectful attitudes, a willingness to listen and learn, and openness to diversity. Within this context, students will develop the methodological skills necessary for an entry-level Addictions Technician.

To enroll, candidates must meet these minimum requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have obtained a High School Graduate OR have a High School Equivalency diploma.
  • Application for enrollment in the cohort.
    Students seeking individual courses to fulfill their certification are admitted based on requirements and open seats.
  • College-ready reading and math levels.

CAT Certification


Certification by DORA Colorado, Colorado Addiction Technician (CAT)
Students must have the following prior to application for the certificate:

  • High school diploma for high school equivalency
  • Completion of all CAT courses
  • Pass the Jurisprudence Exam
  • Pass the National Certified Addiction Councelor (NCAC1) exam
  • 1000 hours of documented clinical supervised work

https://dpo.colorado.gov/AddictionCounselor

Minimum Hours Required


Minimum Credits Required (11)
Minimum Contact Hours Required (154)

 

Note:


State Guaranteed Transfer Course

Applies to CMC AA/AS/AGS Degrees

Not all programs/courses are available at every campus and may require travel to another campus or access via technology-enabled learning (video-conferencing, hybrid, or online).