Patients can become navigators or advocates in a variety of ways, but there is currently no standardized training in this field. While no set educational path has been established, a number of certificate programs and even graduate programs have been developed. Participating in them does not guarantee employment or professional recognition. Many patient navigators have advanced training in fields such as healthcare, social work, and insurance, and some simply have a lot of experience working with social systems, medical providers, and insurance companies. Organization, the ability to understand medical systems, and strong communication are all essential skills for someone who wants to work as a patient navigator.
The American Cancer Society® established a patient navigation program in Harlem in 1990, which is often incorrectly credited as the start of this profession. Many of the services provided by this program, such as assisting individuals in obtaining expedited care and identifying their barriers to receiving appropriate medical services, were already tasks for many social workers. Nonetheless, it is correct to say that the American Cancer Society® developed a program that was more specific than social worker work. Since 1990, the organization has provided training to those interested in pursuing a career as a patient navigator, and this training may be the most well-known.
There have been a number of other patient navigation certificate programs developed. Since 2010, a number of colleges and universities have started to offer master’s degrees or certificate programs in this field. It’s difficult to weigh the benefits of these programs because there’s still no clear professional definition of what skills are required to work as a patient navigator. Some people believe that training in medical care, social work, or business can be just as beneficial as navigational training. Advocating or navigating for themselves or others may also give people the experience they need to pursue this career.
A strong understanding of medicine, medical business, the insurance industry, and government health systems are all prerequisites for becoming a patient navigator. This knowledge can be obtained in a variety of ways. Navigators must be able to keep patient files organized because they are looking for timely care for people who may have chronic illness and a variety of health needs. A pleasant telephone demeanor and effective interpersonal communication are also essential. People interested in this field should also have worked in some aspect of health care, whether professionally, personally, or as a volunteer.
Individuals interested in becoming patient navigators should look into the current training options available. Professionals in this field are likely to establish formal credentialing or a streamlined training process in the not-too-distant future. Reading the writings of people who are currently working as navigators can help you figure out if and when this will happen. It can also tell people what additional steps they’ll need to take to become one of these experts.