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Community Health Navigation Training

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About Our Training

This free training program prepares new Community Health Navigators (CHNs) for their role by building foundational skills across three core competencies: Core Health and System Topics, Influencing and Supportive Skills, and Operational Skills. Through this program, trainees gain understanding of essential health knowledge. The training provides guidance on the practical and relational skills needed to support patients effectively. Each module comes with resources, including learning outcomes, training videos, participant workbooks, and additional learning suggestions.

The training is thoughtfully scaffolded, with each module building on previous concepts to deepen understanding over time. CHNs are encouraged to revisit core trainings and participate in booster sessions throughout their time in the role, reinforcing key skills. By combining strong foundational knowledge with ongoing skill development, this program equips CHNs to provide compassionate, informed and effective support to the patients and communities they serve.

❋ System Navigation and Advocacy Skills

CHNs build a strong foundation in essential health topics, including social determinants of health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), anxiety, hoarding, and domestic violence. This knowledge equips navigators to understand the complex factors shaping patient health and to confidently guide individuals through the healthcare system.

❋ Relationship & Communication Skills

Through trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, boundary-setting, and effective communication techniques, CHNs learn how to build trust and rapport with patients. This area also covers goal setting, mindfulness and navigating challenging conversations, giving navigators the tools to create safe, supportive spaces for patients to work toward their health priorities.

❋ Operational & Professional Practice

CHNs gain practical skills for day-to-day success in their role, including documentation and record-keeping, privacy and confidentiality guidelines, home visit protocols and time management. This area ensures navigators can operate efficiently and professionally.

❋ Ongoing Growth & Resilience

Recognizing the emotional demands of the role, this area focuses on sustaining CHNs over the long term through trauma stewardship, resilience building and understanding nervous system regulation. Continued access to the trainings allows navigators to revisit and deepen these skills throughout their careers supporting both personal wellbeing and professional growth.

  • "Without these modules I feel like I would have been lost going into this role. I love the introspective reflection questions, and the easy to navigate tools that I always refer back to. "

    CHN

  • "The training was effective in preparing me for the CHN role."

    -CHN, Central Alberta

  • "The training has assisted in equipping me with the tools and confidence to recognize, understand, and effectively respond to health challenges".

    -Community Health Navigator

  • “The community health navigator training challenged my thinking and gave me new perspectives that will positively influence the way I practice in my role.”

    CHN

  • "This was a completely new field to me when I was hired. I had so much to absorb! This learning allowed me to dive into the new role, and really helped me to understand healthcare, how it operates, and where I will be most effective in supporting patients."

    CHN

  • "I found the training to be incredibly helpful in strengthening my skills and better preparing me to support clients in my Community Support Navigator role. "

    CHN

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No prior experience or knowledge is needed! Participants should approach this training with a willingness to learn skills to support community members and learn about themselves.

  • Combining pre-recorded lectures, interactive activities and participant guidebooks this training allows learners to engage with the materials in a way that works for them.

  • This course aligns with the core competencies for Community Health Navigators. If you have an inter

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  • Yes. Upon fulfilling all training models and completing a final knowledge check learners obtain certificate that demonstrates their completion of CHN program training.

Ready to Start?

Click REGISTER to fill out our contact form and let us know a little bit about you and your program. Once access to the CHN training program has been requested we will send you a link to the training portal!

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