Patient Navigator, Short Term Certificate

Develop advanced skills in patient care built around the patient. Develop skills to support individual patients through the continuum of the health care environment.  Patient Navigators work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to: community, hospitals, PCMH (patient-centered medical home), primary care facilities and other third-party entities. There is a need for trained patient navigators to assist a growing population to navigate the ever-changing health care environment.

Program contact:  Learn more

Financial Assistance funds cannot be applied towards this program.

This certificate will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the certificate, please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Related Degrees and Certificates

• Medical Assisting, Associate of Applied Science degree

Program Admission Requirements

• Graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting program.  Current credential in medical assisting (CMA, CCMA, or RMA accepted).  Program approval.
• Non-native English speaking applicants:  Admission into Cuyahoga Community College is premised on a complete and accurate initial application to the College, including, if applicable, proof of English Language Proficiency Requirements for admission as indicated on the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admissions to the College, and available on the web at: http://www.tri-c.edu/get-started/international-students/english-language-proficiency-requirements-for-admission.html
  To be accepted into any selective admission programs, students must successfully complete English as a Second Language (ESL) course/s, as referenced above,  if deemed necessary by the College at the time of enrollment.  Admission is conditioned upon achieving the necessary grade point average (GPA), English language proficiency requirements and any specific pre-requisite courses, and by meeting program accreditation or licensing requirements as evidenced in the Program Handbook for the specific program.
• MATH-0955 Beginning Algebra or higher or appropriate score on Math Placement Test.
• Current CPR for Health Care Provider from American Heart Association.
• 2.5 GPA.
• 15 students accepted per year.

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1. Patient Engagement.  Determine patient’s understanding of their plan of care and identify barriers to following the plan of care.

2. Resource Coordination.  Assist patient in navigating the healthcare system and outside resources in order to comply with their plan of care.

3. Communication.  Use effective communication with diverse patient populations and healthcare team to support positive patient outcome

4. Teamwork.  Work independently and as a member of a health care team within scope of practice to support patient outcomes.

5. Preparation.  Review patients electronic medical record and identify patient needs requiring navigation of care.

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.