What does a Patient Navigator do?
While patient navigators do not provide direct clinical treatment, they play a vital role in advocating for patient needs, improving communication between patients and providers, and removing barriers to timely, high-quality care. This work creates an immediate impact in the lives of others, helping patients feel seen, supported, and empowered during vulnerable moments. For Berklee students, the role highlights how skills developed through the arts—communication, empathy, cultural awareness, and the ability to listen and respond creatively—translate directly into effective patient advocacy and support.
At a Glance
Certificates or bachelor’s degrees in public health, social work, human services, psychology, or health sciences are common for patient navigator roles. For Berklee students, coursework in arts and health, psychology, cultural competency, and community engagement provides a strong foundation. Entry-level roles may involve connecting individuals with community resources or assisting with scheduling and referrals, while advanced opportunities include coordinating larger care programs, supervising teams of navigators, or specializing in areas such as oncology, mental health, or chronic disease management.
Hospitals; clinics; nonprofits, government health programs; community health centers.
Case management; healthcare system navigation; resource coordination; documentation; reporting.
Advocacy; empathy; cultural responsiveness; conflict resolution; clear communication.
Schedules are usually full-time and may include client meetings outside of traditional office hours.
