BPNC Certification Schedule and Information

1. Outreach (entering communities/neighborhoods, health fair, community needs assessments)
2. Screening (education and promotion of mammographic standards of care)
3. Diagnostics (imaging, tissue sampling, MRI)
4. Treatment (oncologic: surgical, medical, radiation, adjuvant, supportive, complementary, alternative)
5. Recurrence
6. Survivorship (care plans)
7. End of Life care

Navigators renegotiate the flow of patient care to continually assess for barriers to care and effective ways to reduce or eliminate the impact.Barriers are defined as anything that stops or delays decisions for diagnosis or treatment for breast cancer. Barriers include (not an exclusive list):

1. Financial (cost of living, working, insurance, treatment costs)
2. Emotional (lack of emotional resources to effectively cope with a cancer diagnosis, effects of treatment, lack of trust in medical professionals, prospect of disability or death from disease)
3. Cultural/language disparities
4. Educational (lack of or misunderstanding of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis)
5. Transportation (getting to/from numerous and complex appointments)
6. Physical (co-morbid conditions prior to or developing from treatment)
7. Spiritual (reflection of crossing spiritual with physical illness, loss or lack of)
8. Sexual (complexity of physical changes due to cancer and treatment effect on partners)

NAPBC Standard 3.1 Patient Navigation Process
Patient navigation refers to individualized assistance offered to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome health care system barriers and facilitate timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout the continuum of care. Breast disease patient navigation can and should take on different forms in different communities as dictated by the needs of the patient, his or her family, and the community. The patient navigation process includes consistent care coordination throughout the continuum of care and an assessment of the physical, psychological, and social needs of the patient. The anticipated results are enhanced patient outcomes, increased satisfaction, and reduced costs of care. This process may involve different individuals at each point of care.
Examples of patient navigation include, but are not limited to:

• Providing education, support, and coordination to assist patients in securing appointments
• Providing educational resources on breast health, breast cancer, and breast care
• Connecting patients and families to resources and support services
• Promoting communication between the patient and health care providers
• Coordinating services throughout the continuum of care

Benefits of patient navigation include:

• Enhancing the patient’s quality of life, sense of autonomy, and self-determination for managing his/her own health
• Reinforcing the physician-patient relationship
• Expediting care

Candidates that receive a passing score will receive the certification mark associated with the exam taken.

CERTIFICATION MARK of CERTIFIED NAVIGATOR – BREAST (CN-B*)  is received with a passing score of 81% or above.

• CN-BM  = Certified Navigator Breast Management (All Social Workers and Managers of Navigators)
• CN-BA = Certified Navigator Breast Advocate (All Volunteer/Lay Navigators)

Qualifications of Certificants
Certified Navigators with NCBC have met the following criteria:

• Completed and NCBC certification exam
• Maintain Continuing Education requirements for renewal
• Use the certification mark and credentials within the scope in which the certification was granted
  • NCBC maintains the right to take all appropriate steps including legal or other action, such as requiring the discontinuation of the use of the designation, suspension during investigation, or revocation of the certification, to protect its rights from unauthorized use.

Holders of an active NCBC certification must have successfully completed a NCBC administered certification process and must be in good standing with NCBC. In connection each certification and any renewals of certification, NCBC shall promptly issue certificates to Certificants, setting forth the NCBC certification designating them as certified by NCBC and specifying the credential earned (e.g., BHCN, CGRA, etc.). Only individuals who have been granted the certification and appropriately maintained the certification may use the certification mark associated with the certification earned.  Use of the certification mark may only be used within the scope for which the certification was granted and not in a misleading or fraudulent manner.  NCBC maintains the right to take all appropriate steps including legal or other action, such as requiring the discontinuation of the use of the designation, suspension during investigation, or revocation of the certification, to protect its rights from unauthorized use.

Use of Credentials
Only individuals who have been granted the certification and appropriately maintained the certification may use the CN-B* credential.  Use of the credential may only be used within the scope for which the certification was granted and not in a misleading or fraudulent manner.  NCBC maintains the right to take all appropriate steps including legal or other action, such as requiring the discontinuation of the use of the designation, suspension during investigation, or revocation of the credential, to protect its rights from unauthorized use.

Certification Mark
Any certification mark issued by NCBC-CB is the property of NCBC-CB and may be revoked by NCBC-CB as determined by NCBC-CB. In such event, any former certification holder shall no longer be deemed to be a Certificant and shall be required to return all certificates containing the certification mark to NCBC.