Essential Training on Pain and Addiction
IHS Mandatory Training
The IHS Heroin, Opioid and Pain Efforts (HOPE) Committee released the IHS Essential Training on Pain and Addiction opportunity as an on-demand web-based course. This course was first presented in February 2015 in response to the growing epidemic of mortality associated with opiate overdoses both nationally and within Indian Country. In July 2016, Special General Memorandum (SGM) 2016-05: Mandatory Training for Federal Prescribers of Controlled Substance Medications established IHS policy requiring all IHS Federal prescribers, contractors (that spend 50 percent or more of their clinical time under contract with the Federal Government), clinical residents and trainees to successfully complete this course. As of December 2016, 96% of this identified group had completed training. The release of this enduring content version of the training will allow newer prescribers the opportunity to complete the required training within 6 months of employment as required by IHS policy.
Training Renewal
Three (3) years after completing the IHS Essential Training, completion of the IHS Refresher Training on Pain and Addiction is required, and every three (3) years thereafter. For example, if you completed the IHS ETPA or the IHS RTPA in 2018, you are required to renew your training by completing the RTPA before the end of 2021.
To successfully complete this refresher course, participants are required to view both the CDC Training "HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics," and the IHS Policy Requirements and Best Practice Review Presentation. The course takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
