PROGRAM DETAILS

Students completing the required 60 credits are awarded an Associate of Science degree in Health Navigator.

Students completing a Health Navigator AS degree often pursue a Bachelor's degree in Public Health. The Health Navigator degree qualifies graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of health-related organizations. Patient Navigators are employed in clinics, hospitals, public health organizations, the health department, and agencies like the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Health Navigator jobs may have a different title, such as patient advocate, community health worker, community outreach worker, screening outreach worker, or care coordinator.

Job prospects for Health Navigators are projected to increase 11% faster than average over the next decade.

Patients can face complex issues related to their health care that require learning unfamiliar information and making difficult decisions that weigh heavily on them, often affecting their lives for a long time. A Health Navigator must be equipped with a variety of skills to provide resources and comfort to patients:

Caring - The desire to help patients and their families is the most important asset in being a successful Health Navigator.

Communication - Health Navigators must communicate with a variety of people, from the patients and their families to doctors, nurses, and health insurance companies. They must serve as mediators, or liaisons, between the patient and those responsible for the medical, legal, and financial aspects of the patient's care.

Orderliness - The Health Navigator must keep detailed records and notes about each case and documentation of follow-up calls with the patient and others involved.

Critical Thinking - The Health Navigator must persist in challenging situations and be willing and able to find solutions through mediation and negotiation. Part of problem-solving involves having research skills because Health Navigators must seek out information that can help patients know their rights.

Perseverance - The Health Navigator's role requires strength and patience to handle what patients are experiencing and expressing to them. They must stay positive so they instill trust in the patients who rely on them for advice and quality care.

The AS degree in Health Navigator course content includes, but is not limited to, communication skills, leadership skills, human relations, employability skills, principles of health insurance, introduction to computer literacy, health care organization, medical ethics, legal aspects, and health and safety. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the AHIMA CCA certification examination - Clinical Coding Associate.

The Health Navigator AS degree consists of ten separate tracks.

Courses common to all ten tracks include:

HSC1000 Introduction to Health Sciences
HSC1531 Medical Terminology
HIM1253C Coding I
HIM2232C Coding 2
HIM2278C Coding 3*
HSC2669 Prevention and Community Health
HSA2010 Issues and Trends in Public Health
HIM2012 Health Records Law
HSC2810 Health Service Practicum (online course with Internship)

*Not available in the Dental Hygiene track

****Students who start in the Health Navigator and decide to apply to a limited-access program need to understand that there is no guarantee of admission in a limited-access program.

This is a 3-credit-hour online asynchronous course with an in-person internship.  The Health Services practicum course is designed to provide practical field knowledge. Students who register for this course should be in the last semester of their Health Navigator program or in the Health Service Management program with approximately 12 credits remaining to complete their degree.  

 The course consists of 145 hours, broken down into two parts: 

•  90 hours will be dedicated to externship  

•   55 hours will be dedicated to coursework. 

 This practicum assists students in developing deductive reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, management skills, and effective communication skills. This course prepares the student for the transition to work-based experiences in healthcare and provides a foundation in public health, data collection, and analysis, relevant public health/population health issues, as well as building relationships (patient, family members, other agencies, and the healthcare team). This practical experience occurs at healthcare affiliates of Broward College. Affiliates are located throughout Broward County. Professionalism and personal interaction are stressed along with technical abilities. As the student progresses, they will be performing assigned duties with less and less supervision. As an active participant in this course, you will be expected to engage in learner-centered activities, which include, but are not limited to: practicum activities, online graded assignments, and online graded discussions. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the Course Schedule and completing all graded online activities See the course schedule for a detailed description. 

 In-Person CPR Certification for Healthcare Providers provided by the American Heart Association is for the HSC2810 Health Service Practicum course. CPR should be taken prior to enrollment or within the first week prior to starting the designated externship and must be active to receive the AS degree.  

 The Student's Role in Securing an Internship: 

Past experience has demonstrated that the most effective practicum is one selected by the students themselves. The advisor and/or faculty may participate as a facilitator in this process. However, it is the students' responsibility to obtain and ensure they have an internship site.  

Step 1.  Timeline: Students should begin to identify potential preceptors six months to a year prior to the start of the practicum. Starting early will allow the Health Science Department to obtain an affiliation with the facility. Please note that this internship is unpaid, as students receive academic credit for the HSC 2810. 

Step 2.  Once you have identified a potential internship site, you must provide the information to the Administrative Specialist and Coordinator overseeing the Navigator Programs for review and approval by the Associate Dean (see contact list). The following information will be needed: 

• Site/facility name 

• Name of the facility owner 

• Owner's email and phone number 

• Preceptor/contact person's name 

• Contact person's email and phone number 

• Front desk/contact email and phone number, if applicable 

• Contact information for the person at the facility who will receive the Affiliation Agreement for signatures 

• A letter from the preceptor describing the responsibilities and activities you will be assigned during your internship 

Step 3. Once the site has been approved by the Health Navigator Department (Associate Dean) and the Affiliation Agreement is sent to the facility, students should follow up with the facility to help ensure that the agreement is completed, signed, and returned to the appropriate Broward College contact. The agreement must then be reviewed and approved by Broward College's legal team. This process can take several months, so beginning the process early is extremely important. 

You will not be permitted to begin your internship until the Affiliation Agreement has been fully executed by both the facility and Broward College and all required Complio requirements have been completed and approved. 

Additional Internship information 

• Generally, students may not complete a practicum in their place of employment. 

Exceptions to this rule may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean, Coordinator, or instructor, and the following conditions must be met: 

• The internship assignment is distinct from their employment responsibilities and will be completed in a department or division distinct from their regular position.  

• The internship is a non-paid internship, and students must be able to attend the internship in person.  

• There are no online internships 

• There is a qualified Preceptor, other than their immediate supervisor, who can supervise their work. 

• The student is required to have a learning agreement completed and signed no later than two weeks after the start of the semester. This form is in the course and will be provided by your instructor. The student shall complete the form and provide the name of the approved site, the name of the preceptor (supervisor)  and position, site, and a schedule. Once completed, it will need to be uploaded to the course under the assignment area.  Failure to meet the two-week time frame may delay the completion of the practicum and require the student to receive an incomplete or failing grade for the course.  

• Background Screenings and Medical Requirements:  

One semester prior to taking HSC2810 Health Service Practicum: Complio packages should be purchased through (American Data Bank 1800-200-0853) or at www.browardcollegescreening.com. Due to the high cost of the Complio packages and requirements, it is recommended that the student meet with their advisor prior to registering for the course to ensure this is the right course for them.  

It is recommended that the student have secured internship prior to registering for the course. In some cases, when internships are assigned during the first week of classes, Complio requirements can be completed within the first few weeks. Please also be aware that delays in securing an internship site or completing all required Complio requirements in a timely manner may result in a delay in completing the HSC 2810 course and, ultimately, graduation. All Complio requirements must be completed before the student can attend the internship. 

 The Faculty's Role in assisting students in securing an Internship: 

• During the first week of the course, the faculty may assist students in finding an internship. However, the faculty cannot guarantee that a site will accept you. The interview is a big part of securing the internship.  

• During the first week, students must attend the orientation Zoom meeting so the faculty can interview and find the best fit. Please keep in mind that the department has limited facilities, and these facilities operate M-F 8-5 during normal business hours. Students may not get the ideal placement or a site close to their home. Internships are non-paid and must be completed in person, as our sites do not offer remote internships.  

• Students must accommodate our internship site's schedule and must have transportation to the site.  

Complio, Background check, Fingerprinting, Drug test, Blood work, and Vaccines 

Background Checks, Medical Screenings and Vaccinations  

All students are required to complete a background check, fingerprinting, drug screening, and medical requirements before registering for the Health Service Practicum. This process can be costly. Therefore, students must meet with Marilyn Rule, the health science advisor, prior to registering (see contact information area) and have a secure internship site approved by Broward College’s Health Navigator or  Health Service Management Department. The cost of the background check and screenings is the responsibility of the student.  

Cost: Students are responsible for all expenses.   

Requirements are completed through Complio (American Data Bank 1800-200-0853) and Complio Packages can be ordered at www.browardcollegescreening.com. In order to be compliant, students must upload all required documentation as requested in the Complio tracking package.  

Medical requirements: Medical requirements are based on Broward College’s Health Sciences Department and facility site requirements. Physical exam, Titers, Vaccines, and PPD are additional expenses not included in the Complio packages. 

How do I know what to purchase? All students, regardless of the site they are assigned to, must have the minimum requirements and will need to purchase the following:

1. A Complio Tracking Package
2. Complete a background check, fingerprinting and a drug test (passing the background check and drug screening)
3. Complete the PPD test(s)
4. Complete the physical exam and be able to physically attend and complete an internship 

Additional requirements: Depending on the internship site additional requirements may be required. 

Students completing internships at hospitals and other selected sites that deem necessary titers, vaccines, and medical tests will need to complete those additional requirements, and are the responsibility of the students.  

Some sites may require their own background, fingerprinting and drug testing which they will usually cover. However, if they will not cover those costs, it will be the responsibility of the student to cover those costs, 

Estimated costs (without insurance): $1,100 to $1,528, depending on the medical facility used, and are broken down in the chart below.  

Additional Fees: Any extra requirements from the clinical site are also the student's responsibility.  

Deadline: All requirements should be completed before starting the HSC Practicum course. Delays in completing the Complio requirements may delay graduation.  

Packages to be selected by students.   

You must create a Complio account. If you have never had a Complio account, you will have to use the new student link and purchase an HSA program package. If you have a Complio Account, you can use the current student link and update your Complio package for the program.  

New Students - http://www.browardcollegescreening.com/                                             Current Students - https://browardcollege.complio.com/ 

1. Select: Institution Name: Broward College, Campus: North Campus (Only select North Campus regardless of where you take classes). 
2. Program of Study: Health Service Management or Health Navigator (depending on your major). 
3. Select the following packages: Tracking: Complio 12-month. 
4. Screening: VECHS in State students, Criminal Background Check , and Drug Screening.                                                                                                                                          

5. You will see a 7 page physical form with vaccination information that your doctor will need to complete. Please print it out and take it with you to your appointment. On page 4 you will be able to decline the Hepatitis B vaccination by signing the declination midway down page 4. That is the only vaccine that you can decline. Religious reasons do not qualify as an exception. If you have a medical reason such as pregnancy, please notify the Associate Dean/Program Manager or Health Sciences Coordinator (on the contact page) immediately before getting the vaccines so they can provide you with guidance. 

 6. Additional Complio Requirements: To be completed as deemed necessary by the internship site. 

Sample Below: Complio Price Lists and average costs. Complio tracking packages costs are subject to change. Screening costs are subject to change. Medical costs are subject to change and are based on the facility you go to and if you carry insurance.  

This is NOT a limited-access program. Enrollment is open access each term.

Connect with your academic advisor for registration guidance.

Associate Dean & Program Manger
Elizabeth Hobdy
Ehobdy@broward.edu

Health Science Coordinator & Faculty
Susan Martin
smartin@broward.edu

Administrative Specialist 
Naijee Padin
Npadin@broward.edu