About Community And Health Services Navigation – Graduate Certificate in Cambrian College

Navigators assist people in accessing a variety of supports across the lifespan, including, but not limited to, mental health support, legal support, health care and financial support. Support is often required during transitional points of care, such as youth transitioning to adult services or an older adult preparing to enter long-term care. Accessing services and transitioning between types of care can be complicated and frustrating. Navigators, also referred to as care coordinators or case managers, serve as a guide to help people obtain the help they need.

As a student in the program, you will build expertise in how to locate resources within your community as well as provincially. You’ll have the opportunity to network with a multitude of guest speakers across a variety of sectors to help you build connections with professionals in the field.

You will also gain the skills to be an effective and compassionate listener to help people in dealing with frustrations they may encounter throughout their journey. You’ll also learn how to provide brief interventions such as motivational interviewing to support individuals as they wait to receive the services they require.

Students with backgrounds in the helping profession may choose to complete the program to enhance their expertise. Fast-track options may be available through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and/or via Advanced Standing for students with related work experience or a related diploma/degree.

Program Highlights

• 9-month post-graduate certificate

  • Students must have a minimum 2-year diploma or degree to be eligible

• 6-week unpaid placement to apply learning

  • Students currently working in a helping profession may be eligible to apply to complete a capstone project within their work environment

• Flexible delivery: complete entire program online (either by joining the class virtually in real-time or viewing the class afterwards) or switch at your leisure between online and in-class delivery options. 

• Students will learn how to work with people using a person-centred, strength-based approach

• Simulation and role-play exercises will provide practical, hands-on experience

Naturally enhance your resume with certification in:

• Non-violent crisis intervention (de-escalation strategies)

• safeTALK (suicide alertness training)

• Mental Health First Aid

Fieldwork/ Placement

In the final semester, students meeting requirements, will have the opportunity to complete a community placement. Students will be responsible for any expenses incurred related to placement, such as Paramed consultation, transportation, meals and accommodations.

Agencies will require students to have additional medical and non-medical documents prior to the completion of any community based placement. Paramed will be responsible for the coordination of the required documentation in consultation with the students.

Required documentation includes:

• A vulnerable sector check
• Health documentation (up-to-date immunization, Two-step TB test, freedom from communicable disease)
• Field certifications – Bill 18 requirements 
• Standard First Aid and CPR
• Respiratory Mask Fit Test

Employment Opportunities

Navigators are becoming in higher demand across multiple, diverse sectors.

Depending on one’s original degree or diploma, graduates have a variety of employment opportunities to work within, including, but not limited to:

• Mental health and/or addictions sectors (e.g., peer support navigator, youth transition navigator)

• Health care sector (e.g., post-stroke navigator, cancer care navigator)

• Justice sector (e.g., family navigator)

• Developmental sector

• Government funded, private and non-profit agencies across sectors

• Sectors serving a variety of populations across the life span including children, youth, adults and/or older adults

• Positions for care coordinators and/or case managers

Academic qualification equivalents

• Completion of All India or State Board HSC (XII): 60% or higher in relevant subjects.
• A university degree in related subject

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS:  6.0 (no band under 5.5)
• TOEFL:  570 (paper based test) 84 (internet based test)
• PTE: 61 (minimum 55 in each component)

Cambrain College Highlights

What it costs to study at Cambrian College: Fees & Expenses

Candidates will incur the education cost as tabulated below. The expenses range given below is for each semester for students enrolled for full-time courses.