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The class allows you to test the waters in one of Colorado’s fastest growing health care fields. This course provides an entry point for you when you have no prior health care experience and/or want to change careers within health care. Demand is high; you can take this course and find work as a health navigator or similar position. Or you can continue on with just two additional courses and sit for an exam to become certified as a health navigator across Colorado. From there, you can stay in the workforce and/or continue on to get a Bachelor’s degree in public health.
Health Navigator is one of the fastest-growing positions in healthcare. The skills learned in this class transfer across many jobs such as Health Educator, Community Health Worker, Medicaid Service Coordinator, Access Representative, Patient Access Manager, Patient Advocate, Admissions Coordinator, and more.
The class is taught by MSU Denver faculty experts in the field, 100 percent online, eight weeks long, and self-paced.
The Introduction to Health Navigation will teach students the basic concepts of patient navigation and assisting patients along the health care continuum. Students will develop skills necessary to effectively communicate and build relationships with patients within the complex system. Students will also learn how to evaluate and locate health care resources and support systems concerning an individual’s health. Consideration of varying stages of care, social determinants that impact physical health, and reducing disparities in access and treatment will be reviewed. Barriers to care, problem-solving, and managing information and resources will also be discussed.
Learning objectives:
Competencies to be gained:
After taking the course, the learner can immediately enter the workforce or continue education to increase the earning potential.
Pathway 1: Enter the workforce quickly. Complete the Health Navigation Fundamentals course and immediately enter the workforce with job titles like Care Managers, Community Health Workers, Care Coordinator, and Care Manager.
Pathway 2: Go deeper and convert your noncredit course to credit, and take and pass two additional classes. This makes you eligible to sit for Colorado’s Health Navigation Assessment. After passing, you can apply for positions like Access Representative, Admissions Coordinator, Case Manager, Medicaid Service Coordinator, Patient Access Coordinator, Patient Access Specialist, Patient Advocate, Patient Navigator, Patient Resource Worker, and Patient Service Representative.
Pathway 3: Continue your academic journey to get a degree in health, such as public health, which will allow you to increase your earning potential. You can find positions like Health Educators, Healthcare Practitioners, Health Science Technicians, Health and Environmental Scientist, Epidemiologist, Health Educator, Infectious Disease Specialist, Health Service Administrator, Healthcare Consultant, and Health Coach.
Health Navigation Fundamentals course
Credit-By-Exam to convert the class to credit
Health Navigation Fundamentals course
Credit-By-Exam
After successfully completing the Health Navigation Fundamentals course, you will receive a certificate of completion. You can also request to receive a digital badge that will be embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer.
You will also receive a personal advisement session with industry leader and professor at MSU Denver, Dr. Erin Seedorf.
Allison Draayer, LCSW, is an MSU Denver faculty member with over 10 years of healthcare experience. She is originally from the Chicago area but moved to Denver in 2008. She has a degree in Communications from Calvin College in Michigan and received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2014. Allison currently works as the Director of Community Care at a health center in Colorado. She is passionate about serving others and improving health care for the underserved.
If you are a current MSU Denver student who is or has been enrolled in courses for the recent current spring, summer, or fall semester, do not submit any forms. Contact Andrea Pazos at [email protected] for instructions on how to register for these courses.
Phone: 303-615-1234
Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362