Patient Navigator Certificate Program
See the recent interview in Pacific Health Magazine with Pam Koppel, Program Director of the Patient Navigator Certificate Program.
About The Program
Be a pioneer. Make an impact in the emerging and changing US health care systems. Join an exciting new movement to introduce Patient Navigators with an Integrative Health Specialty into the landscape of western medicine. Our year Certificate Program prepares graduates to do just that!
"Patient Navigators" are popping up everywhere these days. This growing profession is ranked high in a recent study of emerging encore careers in the health care field. Training in this new role can provide job opportunities in hospitals, medical offices, complementary care offices, and more. Sonoma State University, with Sonoma County's Integrative Medical Clinic Foundation, is a first-of-it's-kind certification program started in the Fall of 2011.
The SSU-IMCF Patient Navigation Certificate Program--the most comprehensive Patient Navigator training program in the country to date--will train graduates to support patients with information and resources for basic needs, navigate complex medical systems, and expand on the existing model of Patient Navigator, which at this point is mostly seen in cancer treatment settings. This program will offer an in-depth look at an integrative approach to health care, recognizing and responding to the wide-spread use of complementary and alternative therapies amongst the general population, and the benefits of integrating these therapies with western medicine. Certified Navigators will have skills to support patients not only with cancer, but also chronic diseases, family challenges, and wellness and prevention goals, all using a wide breadth of resources and options to meet the healthcare needs and vision of the clients.
Please join us for our information meeting: January 12, 5:30pm, Schulz Information Center, Rm 1121
Admission to the program requires an application. The program is offered in partnership with the Integrative Medical Clinic Foundation. The curriculum has been approved by the Nursing and Counseling Departments at SSU.
The Spring 2012 application deadline is Friday, January 27, 2012. For information on fees and further details, please see FAQ's.
Who should attend
- Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists
- Licensed alternative practitioners such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, or physical therapists
- Non-licensed individuals interested in learning to become a "lay" navigator
- Individuals interested in starting a private Navigation practice
- Individuals interested in learning about integrative medicine
- Individuals interested in learning or expanding essential skills for patient/client-centered practices that will apply to any service career.
Certificate Requirements
Students must complete 160 hours of class time and 50 hours of fieldwork. Students must also successfully demonstrate core Navigation skills with at least two patients.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will be qualified to work as:
- Patient Navigators for the growing number of non-profit organizations that are utilizing this new role with the added benefit of an integrative health specialty
- Navigators in physicians' offices, hospitals, and licensed medical clinics
- Integrative Medicine program managers
- Navigators in Complementary and Alternative Medicine offices
- Integrative Health Navigators in private practice
- Holistic health educators
- Integrative health educators
Application Form
Applications for the Spring 2012 cohort will be accepted through Friday, January 27, 2012. You should recieve an acknowledgement of receipt within 48 hours. If not please contact the Program Coordinator.
Answer the application questions on a separate document and copy/paste it into the online application (in case it does not go through, you will not have to repeat the process).
For more information or for questions, please contact the Program Coordinator.
Affiliated Organization
Integrative Medical Clinic Foundation. Cynthia Calmenson, Executive Director.
Information Meeting
January 12, 5:30pm, Schulz Information Center, Rm 1121
