Health Leadership & Learning Network, York University
healthcare continuing education
Professional Patient
Navigation Certificate
(PPNC)
The Professional Patient Navigation Certificate (PPNC) is a microcredentialed program builds on years of experience offering one of Canada’s first Patient Navigation programs. Established in 2013, this program has grown to provide a comprehensive micro-credentialed training pathway for healthcare professionals working as Patient Navigators, health advocates, or those seeking to enter these essential roles. The PPNC equips participants with the knowledge and practical tools needed to help patients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system effectively.
Designed for healthcare professionals, this certificate program offers a robust skill set applicable across diverse care settings and patient demographics. It focuses on real-world application, providing strategies to address barriers to care, improve transitions, and foster patient-centered solutions. Participants will learn to deliver navigation services using a standardized approach, ensuring consistent, high-quality care that prioritizes patient safety and supports equitable access to healthcare. The Certificate is designed for the following key areas in healthcare settings:
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Cancer care
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Mental health
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Chronic disease
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Senior care
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Transition of care
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Long-term care
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Community settings
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Indigenous healthcare
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And More....
PPNC is also valuable for policy analysts and administrators aiming to understand and respond to healthcare system challenges through innovative navigation-based approaches.
By completing the PPNC, participants demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, patient advocacy, and excellence in healthcare navigation. This program prepares you to bridge gaps in care, support patients and families, and contribute to a more coordinated and accessible healthcare system. With its emphasis on standardized practices, practical skills, and system-level insights, the PPNC ensures that participants are ready to provide effective and reliable patient navigation and advocacy services.
Program Requirements/
Microcredentials
Summative Individual Assessment Evaluation (scheduled after all programs are completed)
Fee:
$3024.00
Includes 5% GST
The fee includes the cost of all listed courses and the evaluation
Who Should Take This Program
This program is ideal for: ➤ Professionals already working in patient navigation roles: If you're already working as a patient navigator, you know how complex and unpredictable the work can be. This certificate helps you sharpen your skills, build confidence, and handle even the most challenging cases with greater clarity. Without a national standard to rely on, having a solid competency framework gives you the tools to perform at your best — whether you're navigating within such areas as cancer care, mental health, chronic disease management, Indigenous health, or transitions of care, or other areas. ➤ Late-career nurses and healthcare professionals: Looking to pivot or ease into retirement with meaningful work? Patient navigation and advocacy allows you to use your clinical experience to guide and support patients and families. It also gives you the option and freedom to have a private consultation service, branch out and use your experience and expertise. ➤ Early-career nurses and health professionals: If you’re just starting out and want to diversify your career options, patient navigation and advocacy is a valuable skill set that can open doors in hospital systems, community programs, and specialty areas like cancer care, mental health, and chronic disease management. It also gives you flexibility and a springboard to other roles in healthcare, such as leadership, advocacy, evaluation, and more — as well as the option to develop a private consultation service as a patient navigator. ➤ Career changers: Are you planning a career shift? Patient navigation is an accessible pathway to a career. It provides a clear structure for building skills combined with your experience, and transitioning into a new career.
PPNC Program Requirements
To achieve the PPNC, participants must successfully complete all the required courses and the assessment. All required courses are listed here
Follow the links provided for each component of the Professional Certificate to view program information, enrolment requirements, dates, and fees.
You may complete all required courses in any order. All course must be completed within 18months of starting the first course.
Note: for each program completed (based on completing all program requirements), you will receive a Micro-credential (digital badge) and a Certificate of Completion