Health Science BS, (Patient Navigation Specialization)

College of Health Sciences and Education
Department Chair and Program Director: George Godlewski, PhD

The Patient Navigation program is designed to prepare individuals to become patient navigators/patient advocates/community health assistants (these are a few of the terms that healthcare institutions use to refer to patient navigators). These individuals successfully guide patients through the healthcare system and treatment plan as a liaison, patient guide and advocate. Patient navigators possess skills essential to the safe and effective movement of patients across the care continuum, self-management and enhanced patient-practitioner communication.​

Students completing the BS in Health Science will:

1. Integrate and demonstrate knowledge of diverse research designs from both the qualitative and quantitative paradigms, and will conceptually synthesize and demonstrate all steps of the research process.
2. Demonstrate critical reasoning skills in the patient care process by conducting a client assessment, identifying functional problems, and developing an appropriate intervention plan.
3. Interact and communicate professionally and courteously with clients while demonstrating the necessary clinical competencies required within their respective health care discipline.

Statement of Program Assessment for BS in Health Science:

Program courses are evaluated each semester via both University faculty evaluations and individual department course evaluations.

Program Goals:

The Patient Navigation Specialization is a 4 year program resulting in a bachelor degree in Health Science. Students completing the Patient Navigation specialization will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for entry-level employment as a Patient Navigator.
2. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to applying professional behaviors and adhering to ethical principles.

Admission:

For information on admission criteria for entering first year and transfer students, please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions  section of the catalog.

Retention:

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester. Students will be placed on program probation if the overall GPA falls below 2.0 (providing the student’s GPA meets university retention requirements).  A student can only be on program probation one time.

Patient Navigation Fieldwork:

To be eligible for Patient Navigation Fieldwork, a student must have completed all pre-requisite courses; as well as clearances as required by the fieldwork sites and/or the university.These include, but may not be limited to: HIPAA education;drug screening; proof of health insurance; proof of vaccinations/immunizations; criminal record/child abuse checks; federal fingerprinting; CPR certification/re-certification (if applicable); completion of orientation by health care system (if required);and liability insurance.

Fieldwork can only be done during the day, Monday-Friday. Therefore, students must have at least one weekday available during the semester in which they are enrolled in HP 325. Fieldwork consists of 15 days in a variety of placements in order to gain a well-rounded experience to understand the role of a patient navigator.  Fieldwork may be experienced in a variety of formats over the course of the semester: one day per week for 15 weeks; 2 days for 7.5 weeks, etc.  Every effort will be made to accommodate the student’s preferred days.

Travel to and from assigned fieldwork sites is the responsibility of the student.

Program Fees:

Students will be charged an administrative fee per semester and an additional fee for liability insurance during the semester in which they are enrolled in HP 325. For more information regarding fees, see the Financial Information  section of the catalog.