It’s more than training. It’s a community.
Patient Navigation Training Program
Susan G. Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program is a free, online training program supporting new and experienced navigators, with content also beneficial for patients, caregivers and other members of the care team. The goal of the program is to improve access to high-quality, culturally responsive patient navigation by supporting a diverse workforce with the skills and tools needed to serve underserved communities effectively.
The program offers over 40 learning opportunities available through an online training site, where training is delivered through a combination of self-paced, on-demand courses; a calendar of interactive, community-building learning opportunities; and an annual virtual Summit.
Program Benefits
- Select a learning path that matches your needs
- New navigators can use the training to enter the field and meet requirements for reimbursement/billing for navigation services by completing required courses through the Komen Patient Navigation Training Path (CMS Eligibility)
- Experienced navigators can advance their careers by designing their own individual learning experience to deepen proficiency in specific topics they choose from the robust and ever-growing curriculum through the Advanced Continuing Education Path.
- Coming soon! More options for those seeking to advance their careers
- Support to identify training needs and guide you to resources to advance your skills
- Receive documentation of courses completed to meet continuing education or certification requirements
- Share progress with badges that showcase your accomplishments on professional platforms like LinkedIn
- Get updates as new courses and training opportunities are added year-round
- Access to other patient navigators
- Access to the annual Navigation Nation Summit
Content includes:
- Oncology Patient Navigator Training Fundamentals from George Washington Cancer Center
- Breast health and oncology-specific content like biomarker testing, metastatic breast cancer navigation, side effects and clinical trials
- Cultural humility, including a unique course on overcoming racism and bias for Black patients
- Soft skills development, such as motivational interviewing and emotional support techniques
- Professional wellness support, including boundary setting to prevent burnout
- Compliance with CMS training requirements, allowing navigators to meet the standards necessary for billing patient navigation services
- Preparation and continuing professional education needed for certification through bodies like the National Consortium of Breast Centers and Academy of Oncology Navigators and Patient Navigators
- Mentoring and professional networking opportunities
Explore the full list of available training content by enrolling in the training site here, or downloading a list here.
Join Today
Join Today! Enroll in the training program by registering on our online training site. You will also receive updates about new training opportunities going forward.
While designed for patient navigation professionals, the content may be beneficial for patients, caregivers and other members of the care team, and all are welcome.
We’re proud to partner with or provide training to many organizations:
- Cancer centers and academic Institutes including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, UT Southwestern, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, Stanford Medicine, George Washington University and Morehouse School of Medicine
- Government and Public Health Organizations including American Cancer Society, Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, breastcancertrials.org, Cancer Support Community, Prevent Cancer Foundation, CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, National Consortium of Breast Centers, AONN+
If you’d like to learn more about how our program might support your training needs, please email us at navigationnation@komen.org.
About Patient Navigation
Komen understands navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, intimidating and frightening. A breast cancer patient is faced with numerous decisions, appointments and treatment options. Patient navigators help individuals and families achieve better health outcomes, solve problems and overcome obstacles in the health care system. Patient navigators are an effective way to keep people in breast cancer treatment by breaking down multiple barriers to care, and navigation works best when navigators are culturally responsive, share lived experience with those they serve, and are highly trained in core competencies and professional standards.
By focusing on growing and training this workforce, we are improving access to navigators who share a lived experience with patients of many identities and ensuring those navigators are providing the best navigation services. This means that they have the knowledge and skills to provide patient-centered support that improves quality of care, reflects patient preferences and reduces financial toxicity.
Program Updates
“Impact of Susan G. Komen’s Patient Navigation Training on Sustainable Workforce Development”
– Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
Learn More
“Elevating patient navigation training”
– Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
Learn More
“It’s so important to quantify the value of navigation, “this is just amazing… It takes a village to make the changes needed in all our communities.”
“Knowing the history of medicine and how we were treated as patients…. I pray that everyone who had the opportunity to see the training will think of ways to improve the health system for people of color.”
“…I am honored that this program (was) created… so that I as a black woman, can assist other fellow black women in receiving adequate cancer care.”
“Thank you for sharing the knowledge this is very motivating and encouraging to all of us. You make us feel value as a patient navigator. Thank you again.”
For more information, email navigationnation@komen.org.
Featured Courses
Navigating People with Metastatic Breast Cancer
The course highlights strategies and resources navigators can use to support the unique needs of those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Many of these tools can be of benefit to patients, caregivers and other members of the care team.
Navigating Side Effects
Cancer treatments often cause side effects that can impact patients’ quality of life and treatment adherence. “Navigating Side Effects,” offers ways to enhance the support you provide patients.
Navigating Clinical Trials
This course series is designed to equip patient navigators with the knowledge and skills necessary to address common barriers to accessing clinical trials.
Navigating Black Patients Through Racism & Bias in Healthcare
Take our first-of-its-kind course focused on patient-centered strategies to support Black patients facing racism and implicit bias in the health care system.
Genetic Counseling and Testing: Barriers and Solutions
Take this course focused on how to assist, empower and navigate patients through the genetic counseling and testing process.
Navigating Professional Standards
Learn about the PONT (Professional Oncology Navigation Taskforce) standards, how to apply them and identify opportunities for professional growth.
Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program aligns with the requirements for the training of patient navigators pursuant to the 2024 CMS Physician Fee Schedule for Principal Illness Navigation, Professional Oncology Navigation Taskforce (PONT) Standards and best practices.