UM-Flint Offers New Health Navigator Minor and Certificate

The University of Michigan-Flint has created a new interdisciplinary program that will meet the rising demands of healthcare reform. The new Health Navigator minor and certificate program will prepare students to connect patients with much-needed services to help prevent injury and illness.

Health Navigators work in hospitals, health clinics, human service agencies, and insurance companies. They work with clients (patients) to simplify the health system and health insurance, assist clients to access services they need and are eligible for, and educate clients regarding overall health.

The 18-19 credit-hour health navigation program is open to all UM-Flint students as a minor and as a certificate to non-degree seeking students. The program begins in fall 2014 and can be completed in 1-2 years.

Courses in the health navigation program are taught by knowledgeable UM-Flint public health, nursing, and social work faculty. The minor-certificate curriculum consists of courses that address:

Medical terminology
Case management
Health promotion
Motivational interviewing
The Affordable Care Act and Health Insurance
Health assessment
Health navigation practicum, which will give students real-world, hands-on experience in the community

To be eligible to earn the certificate, community-based applicants (non-degree seeking students) must satisfy the following:

A minimum of one year experience within a healthcare setting within the past five years
Effective oral and written skills
Satisfactory completion of a written professional goal statement related to the specialty program

The Departments of Public Health, Nursing, and Social Work are hosting an informational open house for those who want to learn more.