Patient Navigation Certificate
The Patient Navigation program is designed to prepare individuals to become patient navigators/patient advocates/community health assistants/community health workers/personal care coordinators (these are a few of the terms that healthcare institutions use to refer to patient navigators).
The Patient Navigation Certificate is an 18-credit focus of study designed to augment current health care knowledge and provide specialized study in the area of patient advocacy, patient care process and health care navigation.
Online Format
Hands-On Experience
Key Benefits and Highlights
- All courses are offered online with the exception of fieldwork
- Features a fieldwork experience in which students observe, interact with patients and other health care professionals, participate in the effective progression of patients throughout the care process, and learn about effective patient-practitioner communications and the self-management of patient care
- Accelerated - Complete the program in as little as 3 academic semesters based on your pace
- Federal aid is available to those who are eligible
- Intended for individuals who are already in the workforce but require additional education
- Strong and growing market demand
- Currently a 50% increase between 2016-2024 in the need for patient navigation in health care systems, insurance companies and physician offices.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) considers the field of patient navigation a “bright outlook’’ occupation because “it is projected to have a large number of job openings and is a new and emerging occupation,’’ according to the Occupational Information Network
- In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Labor & Industry predicts an average of more than 1,300 job openings annually in patient navigation and related fields, according to Hanover Research.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about MU's Patient Navigation program, please contact Dr. George Godlewski, Health Sciences Program Chair, at ggodlewski@misericordia.edu