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Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer ™
CFRDT™

Benefits of Professional Certification:

The Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer is the earned credential that recognizes the highest standard in Alzheimer’s and Dementia education for those health care professionals and First Responders who are directly responsible for in-service and training. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners exists to establish credentialing mechanisms for validating proficiency in Alzheimer’s and Dementia education. The CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER organization ensures the highest standards in Alzheimer’s and Dementia education through the training and certification process.  The CFRDT certification demonstrates the achievement of specialized training in the areas of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care.  The CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER is committed to educational programs and training that informs the CFRDT about new changes that influence the certification process.

The benefits of CFRDT certification are numerous to the health care professional trainers and First Responder trainers. The CFRDT have taken the steps to complete comprehensive training in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, have completed certification, and have the necessary educational tools to provide comprehensive dementia training to health care professionals, First Responders, Law Enforcement, EMT’s and Fire Fighters.  CFRDT is essential for today’s First Responder and Health Care Professional who provide training. The dementia population continues to rise and health care professionals and First Responders need comprehensive training to deal with issues that arise as First Responders. The CFRDT certification recognizes the need for standards in the area of Alzheimer’s and Dementia education for First Responders and health care professionals to provide quality services by trained health care and First Responder professionals.
CFRDT works to enhance the use of new methods, theories and tools related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care practices.

CFRDT certification provides recognition, competency and a commitment in the area of Alzheimer’s and Dementia care education.  CFRDT certification can assist with job advancement.  CFRDT certification promotes the need for education from which all health care professionals and First Responders can benefit. 

A Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer completes extensive training in the area of Alzheimer’s and dementia care..  In addition the training includes comprehensive “Train the Trainer” resources in the areas of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. These resources include key aspects of dementia care including communication techniques, disruptive behaviors interventions and tools for addressing concerns such as wandering, aggressive behaviors, recognizing abuse and neglect in the home and driving concerns.

There are numerous benefits to obtaining this professional credential both for you as an individual and to the First Responder or health care organization.

First Responders and health care trainers need the CFRDT certification for many reasons.

1. To create universal standards for dementia trainers.
2. Enhance the safe and effective best practices in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
3. To have a clear understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia..
4. To expand their knowledge through training and education.
5. To validate their Alzheimer’s and Dementia knowledge and skills.
6. A desire for continued knowledge in dementia care.
7.  To enhance their professionalism
8. Commands recognition from peers.
9. Mandates that they abide by NCCERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER Code of Ethics.
10. Attests that their dementia training is at a high level of Alzheimer’s and dementia expertise.
11. Adds credibility to your profession.
12. Enhances the CFRDT trainer’s overall image within the community and among peers.
13. Improvement in skills and knowledge.
14. Provide higher quality of work.  
15. Greater understanding of the role the trained and certified CFRDT provides in the health care and First Responder community.
16. Demonstration of commitment to one’s chosen profession in obtaining a higher level of Alzheimer’s and dementia education and certification as a Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer. 
17. Preparation for higher job responsibilities and employability.
18. Clarifies and articulates personal values and CFRDT ethics.
19. Enhances self esteem through peer recognition.
20. Increases self confidence in problem solving skills.
21. Increases personal and professional credibility.
22. Reinforces your commitment to professional excellence.

Additionally, A Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer is of benefit to the health care and First Responder community as these are trainers who have taken the added steps in learning and understanding the dementia patient / client and complications that arise with this diagnosis.  It is a benefit to the community to hire trainers who have this certification. The CFRDT certification assist the employer in evaluating potential new hires, evaluate job performance and motivate other employees who seek CFRDT (Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer.

Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer benefits for the health care professional and First Responders are:

• CFRDT certification advances skills and knowledge in the Alzheimer’s and dementia field.
• CFRDT certification shows evidence of a First Responder trainer or health care professional trainer commitment not only working with the geriatric population but specific sub population, the Alzheimer’s dementia client.
• CFRDT certification is a model for other First Responders & health care professionals to follow.
• CFRDT certification provides more leaders for the health care and First Responder field.
• CFRDT certification promotes best practices in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
• CFRDT educates the health care professional staff and First Responder staff who work with the dementia and provides current information to the health care staff or First Responder staff regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia issues.
•  CFRDT promotes education and in turn promotes professionalism.
• Certification develops a sense of pride.  
• Having a CFRDT shows the personal commitment as evidenced by their education and training above and beyond what their peers have.
• A CFRDT brings dementia skills and knowledge to their agency.
• A CFRDT enhances and validates the ongoing dementia care that the health care professional and First Responders provides.
• One of the most important benefits is maintaining the CFRDT certification, through continued education, every two years in order to maintain their CFRDT certification.
• CFRDT recertification insures that the professional is staying informed in the latest developments related to the Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis.
• CFRDT provides better communication with families regarding their loved ones condition.
• CFRDT professional promotes the need for CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER certification as a means to ensure competent trained health care professionals and First Responder professionalism the area of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
• CFRDT Identify other areas of dementia education and skill development in Alzheimer’s and dementia education that meet the changing and challenging needs of the Alzheimer’s and dementia patient in the health care industry.

Benefits to the health care organization in hiring CFRDT are:

• A trust and knowledge in the CFRDT work.