Credentialing Program for Healthcare Advocates

Are you ready to apply? Call us at 510-704-8476 for enrollment.

In 2007, Healthcare Liaison, Inc. developed the first program in the country specifically designed to credential medically-trained professionals who want to develop a private practice as a Healthcare Advocate. Our graduates are from all over the country; they may identify themselves as healthcare advocates, patient advocates, healthcare liaisons, or patient navigators. In 2011 we began a pilot project, offering credentialing training to consumers with extensive experience in healthcare.

The Credentialing program was developed precisely because there was no clearly identified body of knowledge that defined a healthcare advocate. There is currently no licensure for advocates in any state, so the consumer is left to puzzle through information about these services without having a clear idea of what constitutes a well-trained advocate. The Healthcare Liaison Credentialing Program fills that gap: it assures the public that the advocate possesses a baseline of knowledge in the field, and can assist them in navigating through their healthcare situation.

Tell me about the Healthcare Liaison Program

Our credentialing process includes a nine-month program in Healthcare Advocacy as well as on-going requirements for continuing education. An additional program is available for those wanting help in setting up an Advocacy business.
In the nine-month program, we focus on specific areas of knowledge; a sampling of topics includes:

• Informed decision making
• Designs for discharge planning
• Ethical dilemmas in healthcare
• Advocacy for children, adults, seniors and "ultra seniors"
• Complex medical case management
• Working with families from different cultures
• Insurance puzzles
• Palliative Care and Hospice
• Streamlining communication
• Using second opinions
• Understanding Healthcare 2.0

All sessions are conducted with small groups via video conferencing once a month. Participants can be from any geographic area. The sessions mix discussions on topics and detailed exploration of case studies. Each participant also has a half hour private session per month to explore areas of interest further.

Our goal is to help you develop your competencies in advocating for people of all ages as they navigate our complicated healthcare system!

I'm considering the program and would like to learn more about the general field

We have produced an audio presentation of our two-day introductory workshop in healthcare advocacy! It will give you an introduction to the field of healthcare advocacy as well as some experiences with case studies. It includes both an audio and slide presentation and can be downloaded to your computer; a standard CD version is also available. Nurses completing the course will receive 11 CEs through ANCC. Find out more about purchasing the CD.

Who can apply for admission?

The Healthcare Liaison program is open to medically-trained and licensed professionals and some consumers with extensive experience in healthcare. We have a rolling admissions program, with new sessions beginning monthly.

What is the cost of the Program?

The tuition for the Credentialing Program is $3,500, payable in two installments and includes the cost of all textbooks for the course, group and individual sessions and a listing on the Healthcare Liaison web page under "Credentialing Candidates". Nurses receive 60 CEs through ANCC for completion of the program.

For more information on pricing, please contact us at 510-704-8476.

Next Steps

To apply for admission, simply call us at 510-704-8476.