Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Academy
Build the knowledge, professional judgment, and practical skills needed to support patients and families throughout the healthcare experience.
A comprehensive, self-paced online Academy covering patient rights, healthcare systems, communication, care coordination, ethical responsibilities, and professional patient navigation.
Founding tuition is $149 and includes all ten instructional modules, competency assessments, the Academy Certificate of Completion, and the Pathwell Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Certification Examination.
Complete Academy + Certification Examination
Planned regular tuition: $199
$50 BELOW PLANNED REGULAR TUITIONOne enrollment includes the complete Academy curriculum, module assessments, the Academy Certificate of Completion upon meeting coursework requirements, and the professional certification examination.
Your Academy Enrollment Includes
- 10 comprehensive instructional modules
- Self-paced online learning
- Practical examples and case scenarios
- Lesson review activities
- 10 module competency assessments
- Academy Certificate of Completion after successful coursework assessment
- Professional certification examination
- Two permitted examination attempts
- Applicable student learning resources
Founding tuition is offered to the first 100 paid Academy students. Planned regular tuition is a future pricing target, not a previously charged tuition amount.
Professional Education for Patient Advocates and Healthcare Navigators
Patient navigation requires an understanding of healthcare systems, patient rights, communication, financial barriers, and professional responsibilities.
The Pathwell Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Academy provides structured education for individuals developing or strengthening their knowledge of nonclinical patient navigation and advocacy.
The curriculum emphasizes ethical conduct, patient-centered support, professional boundaries, accurate documentation, effective collaboration, and practical problem-solving.
Who This Academy Is Designed For
The Academy serves individuals entering patient advocacy and professionals strengthening their navigation knowledge.
- Aspiring patient advocates
- Experienced patient navigators
- Community health workers
- Nonprofit patient support professionals
- Healthcare support staff
- Care coordination professionals
- Oncology navigation professionals
- Caregivers seeking professional-level knowledge
What You Will Learn
The Academy builds knowledge across the responsibilities of nonclinical patient navigation and professional advocacy.
Ethics & Patient Rights
Understand patient autonomy, confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.
Healthcare Systems & Insurance
Develop knowledge of healthcare settings, coverage, billing, financial assistance, and barriers to care.
Communication & Health Literacy
Strengthen patient-centered communication, active listening, shared decision-making, and caregiver support.
Medical & Oncology Navigation
Learn terminology, diagnostic and treatment concepts, oncology navigation, and care coordination within nonclinical scope.
Resources & Care Coordination
Understand referrals, care transitions, community resources, and access-to-care challenges.
Professional Judgment
Apply documentation practices, ethical reasoning, escalation, and professional accountability to realistic scenarios.
What Your Academy Education Covers
Explore the ten areas of professional patient navigation and advocacy covered throughout the Academy. Enrolled students access individual lessons, activities, and assessments through the course content section below.
Professional Foundations of Patient Navigation & Advocacy
Ethics, Patient Rights & Professional Boundaries
Healthcare Systems, Coverage & Financial Barriers
Communication, Health Literacy & Shared Decision-Making
Medical Knowledge, Terminology & Clinical Navigation
Oncology Navigation & The Cancer Care Continuum
Applied Patient Navigation Competencies
Advanced Navigation Practice and Professional Responsibilities
Applied Professional Practice and Competency Development
Comprehensive Review and Professional Readiness
How the Academy Works
1. Learn
Complete ten instructional modules with examples, case scenarios, and lesson review activities.
2. Demonstrate Knowledge
Complete the required module competency assessments and achieve the passing score. Successful completion of the coursework requirements qualifies students for the Academy Certificate of Completion.
3. Take the Certification Exam
After meeting Academy requirements, take the Pathwell Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Certification Examination.
Assessment & Certification Requirements
Students must demonstrate knowledge through module assessments and the professional certification examination.
Module Competency Assessments
- 10 module competency assessments
- 80% passing requirement per module
- Randomized question sequence
- No enforced time limit
- Additional attempts permitted
- Assessment feedback supports continued study
- Academy Certificate of Completion after successful coursework requirements
Professional Certification Examination
- 150 multiple-choice questions
- 120-minute examination time limit
- 80% passing requirement
- 120 correct answers required to pass
- Two permitted examination attempts
- Same exam as the examination-only pathway
Students who complete the required Academy coursework and module assessments qualify for the Pathwell Academy Certificate of Completion.
The professional certification is separate. Students must also pass the final certification examination to qualify for Pathwell’s independently issued Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Certification.
Pathwell Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Certification
Pathwell’s professional certification recognizes candidates who meet the applicable requirements and demonstrate knowledge through the independent certification examination.
The professional certification is separate from an educational certificate of course completion. Passing the certification examination is required to earn the credential.
Pathwell independently develops, administers, and issues its professional credential. It is not issued by the Patient Advocate Certification Board, AONN+, or a government agency.
Understanding the Navigator’s Role
Patient navigators and advocates assist patients with understanding healthcare processes, preparing questions, locating resources, coordinating communication, and participating in informed decisions.
Navigators must work within their education, qualifications, organizational policies, and applicable laws.
Pathwell education and certification do not authorize independent medical diagnosis, prescribing, treatment decisions, or clinical practice without the appropriate professional license.
Academy or Examination Only?
Both pathways use the same professional certification examination. Choose the educational pathway that fits your experience.
Complete Academy + Examination
For individuals seeking structured education before taking the certification examination.
- 10 instructional modules
- Module competency assessments
- Academy Certificate of Completion
- Professional examination included
- Two examination attempts
$149
Founding tuition
VIEW ACADEMY ENROLLMENTCertification Examination Only
For experienced candidates prepared to demonstrate existing knowledge without completing Academy coursework.
- Same professional examination
- 150 multiple-choice questions
- 120-minute time limit
- Two examination attempts
$79
Founding tuition
VIEW EXAM-ONLY OPTIONAbout Independent Pathwell Certification
Pathwell certification is independently issued following successful completion of applicable examination and competency requirements.
It does not represent an academic degree, healthcare license, government authorization, or third-party accreditation.
Employers, hospitals, and professional organizations determine which credentials they recognize. Pathwell certification does not guarantee employment, hospital privileges, or institutional acceptance.
Prepare for Professional Patient Navigation & Advocacy Certification
Complete the ten-module Academy, develop practical navigation and advocacy knowledge, earn the Academy Certificate of Completion after meeting coursework requirements, and prepare for the included professional certification examination.