Breast Health Patient Educator and Navigator Certification is the process by which the NCBC validates, based upon peer-reviewed standards, a licensed breast health care provider’s knowledge in the navigation of a breast health care (cancer) patient. The purpose is to assure the public that the certified licensed breast health care provider has completed the NCBC Breast Health Patient Educator and Navigator Certification program and has met minimum knowledge and performance standards by recognizing the individual who has met these  standards. Candidates who pass the certification may use the mark BHNC to verify they have met all eligibility and testing requirements. This may be used only while valid, after which time certification may be renewed. All individuals with valid certifications will be posted on the NCBC website.

Each student will be provided a binder that outlines the major concepts that will be presented during the course and information that will on the testing units. Also included in the binder are supplemental reading materials as well as a vocabulary list to assist in the understanding of course material. All test material is included in the binder. Following course instruction, students will be evaluated on their patient navigation and education core knowledge. A score of 85% or better must be achieved on the exam.

This is a breast health patient educator and navigator certification program; it is not an in-depth patient navigator training course. The certification program covers one and one-half days and will highlight navigation and education components, knowledge pertaining to breast health care processes, an overview of the navigation stages and updates on clinical care relevant to patient navigation, education and treatment. Individuals who are familiar with breast patient navigation should consider becoming certified. The certification will validate a professional’s knowledge to perform as a breast health patient educator and navigator in the various navigation stages.

This course is available to licensed healthcare professionals (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and radiologist technologists). It is recommended, but not mandatory, that individuals should be actively practicing as a breast health patient educator and navigator or should have this responsibility at their breast health care facility. This certification course is designed for practitioners seeking Breast Health Patient Educator and Navigator Certification as validation of their mastery of the breast health knowledge  associated with this position.

The program is being presented, as the beta program with expectations of its continually evolving overtime. This skill set as well as the knowledge base will be the basis of the Breast Health Patient Educator and Navigator Certification. There will be three classifications of navigators: the Breast Health Education Navigator, the Breast Health Imaging Education Navigator and the Breast Cancer Education Navigator. Each classification’s skill set and knowledge base builds upon the previous. The Breast Health Education Navigator assists patients from the time they walk in the door to their scheduled mammogram. The Breast Health Imaging Education Navigator may work with the patient from the time of taking history through the results of their mammogram. And the Breast Cancer Education Navigator may work with the patient from intake through end-of-life.

Program attendees meeting minimum proficiency on the exam will receive certification for one year and be able to sit for the three-year certification in 2010 at no cost. This course will consist of instruction on the core competencies of navigation on Saturday, March 14 with a certification test on Sunday, March 15. The NCBC is excited to offer this program for the first time at the 19th Annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference March 14-18, 2009. Registration for the conference is now available online at www.breastcare.org. A study guide will be sent to those paid registrants.

For more information on the Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program, please visit http://www.bpnc.org.