Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title: 	Health Navigator Specialist
Career Cluster: 	Health Science

College Credit Certificate	
CIP Number	0351220800	
Program Type	College Credit	
Program Length	31 credit hours	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Health Navigator AS degree program (1351220800).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Health Science career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as Health Navigators, Benefits Navigators, Community Service Specialists, or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

The content includes but is not limited to communication skills, leadership skills, human relations and employability skills, principles of health insurance, introduction to computer literacy, health care organization, medical ethics, legal aspects, and advanced technical skills in a chosen health-related profession, health and safety.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 31 credit hours.

When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related AS and AAS degrees.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Identify and apply basic knowledge of aspects of health and wellness.  
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various topics pertinent to the five core disciplines of public health.
03.0	Identify and apply U.S healthcare delivery and fiscal resources.
04.0	Demonstrate ability to work as a health navigator or community health worker.
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of current events in the field of public health.
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of health communication and its impact on health outcomes.
07.0	Define and describe aging, long-term care, and types of residences.
08.0	Demonstrate the use of evidence to draw conclusions about disease etiology.
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the three primary levels of prevention.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of how the insured and uninsured interact with the U.S. healthcare system.  

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Health Navigator Specialist  
CIP Number: 		0351220800
Program Length: 	31 credit hours

This certificate program is part of the Health Navigator AS program (1351220800). At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Identify and apply basic knowledge of aspects of health and wellness. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Discuss integrating healthy living choices into one’s lifestyle.	
01.02	Define how physical fitness, mental health, nutrition, substance use and abuse, and family influences connect with the concept of patient wellness.	
01.03	Describe the impact of social media and time in the digital environment on physical and mental health and wellness.	
01.04	Identify the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.	
01.05	Describe the effects of tobacco, smoking, and vaping.	
01.06	Describe various fitness methods to improve health.	
01.07	Discuss effects of nutritional impacts on health and wellness.	
01.08	Explain body composition and achieving a healthy weight.	
01.09	Describe the types of stress, its impacts on health and wellness, and stress management strategies.	
01.10	Discuss substance use and abuse in society.	
01.11	Describe the effects of chronic disease on the human body.	
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various topics pertinent to the five core disciplines of public health. The student will be able to:	
02.01	Define public health.	
02.02	Describe how public health strategies and practices contribute to achieving local, state, and national health objectives.	
02.03	Summarize the historical milestones in public health.	
02.04	Identify and describe the following five core disciplines of public health: epidemiology/biostatistics, community/family health, environmental/occupational health, health policy/management, and global health.	
02.05	Identify elements of public health.	
02.06	Explain the concepts of prevention, detection, control of infectious and chronic conditions, and the factors that contribute to differences in population-level health indicators.	
02.07	Compare and contrast examples of major domestic and international public health issues.	
03.0	Identify and apply knowledge of the U.S. healthcare delivery and fiscal resources. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Describe the changing landscape of health services and its relevance on the existing healthcare system, facilities, and services.	
03.02	Explain the impacts of public policies on healthcare, such as availability of healthcare services, cost, delivery, and financial implications.	
03.03	Describe the various healthcare organizations and service delivery options.	
03.04	Identify the health professions and explain the role of each and their licensing/educational requirements.	
03.05	Compare and contrast the healthcare delivery systems of the U.S. with industrialized nations.	
03.06	Describe the array of healthcare career options.	
03.07	Discuss the various sources and uses of funds for healthcare.	
04.0	Demonstrate ability to work as a health navigator or community health worker. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify community agencies where health navigators are employed.	
04.02	Complete a field experience that provides descriptions of primary duties, annual salary, and interpersonal collaboration.	
04.03	Demonstrate an understanding and expectation of the essential duties of health navigators.	
04.04	Describe barriers to care faced by healthcare providers, patients, and consumers of the placement site.	
04.05	Discuss the core health activities of the placement site.	
04.06	Demonstrate an understanding of how placement sites work with local, county, state, and federal agencies.  	
04.07	Evaluate the role of a health navigator in patient healthcare.	
04.08	Demonstrate communication techniques to assess patient health and needs.	
04.09	Apply health literacy principles and adapt instruction and training, as appropriate, to patients, groups, and populations.	
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of current events in the field of public health. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Identify sources and platforms (e.g., news, media, and governmental) used to communicate public health events to the general public.	
05.02	Describe the implications of current events on public health.	
05.03	Discuss concerns related to how public health information is and presented to the public.	
05.04	Recognize how reporting of global events (e.g., epidemics, regime change, and weather events) has the potential to impact other areas.	
05.05	Locate emerging public health trends.	
05.06	Explain the etiology of emerging public health trends discussed throughout the course.	
05.07	Discuss legislation designed to protect the public’s right to information during major health events (epidemics, terrorism, natural disasters).	
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of health communication and its impact on health outcomes. The student will be able to:	
06.01	Describe key concepts and skills used to identify and measure individuals with reduced health literacy.	
06.02	Explain how understanding health literacy is a determinant of health.	
06.03	Advocate for patients, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected in healthcare decision-making.	
06.04	Discuss basic constructs of theories used in behavior change and persuasion.	
06.05	Classify health communication programs based on disease type (e.g., chronic vs. infectious).	
06.06	Determine communication methods to be used in specific settings (e.g., healthcare, school, and workplace).	
06.07	Discuss risks and rewards associated with the use of technology-based applications in healthcare.	
07.0	Define and describe aging, long-term care, and types of residences. The student will be able to:	
07.01	Describe demographic characteristics of an aging population.	
07.02	Explain psychological factors associated with aging.	
07.03	Describe the phenomenon of increasing life expectancy and the impact on the U.S. healthcare system, economy, and society.  	
07.04	Discuss health promotion, disease prevention, and end-of-life planning for aging populations.	
07.05	Compare and contrast aging populations from a historical perspective.	
07.06	Describe the levels of care and types of residences for different health needs.	
08.0	Demonstrate the use of evidence to draw conclusions about disease etiology. The student will be able to:	
08.01	Define evidence-based practices in public health.	
08.02	Identify evidence-based practices in disease etiology, the benefits, and recommendations for prevention.	
08.03	Discuss health information concepts related to economic, legal, and social issues.	
08.04	Investigate a problem by using evidence-based practice skills to define a health problem and determine the information that is needed to make an educated decision.	
08.05	Locate and evaluate online health information to determine that appropriate audiences are reached using content that is patient-specific.  	
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the three primary levels of prevention. The student will be able to:	
09.01	Discuss implementation methods of prevention used in public health, including education, motivation, and obligation.	
09.02	Describe the three levels of prevention in public health, including primary, secondary, and tertiary.	
09.03	Explain how preventative methods can be used throughout the lifespan.	
09.04	Identify individual and community needs to connect available resources to distressed areas and prevent adverse effects.	
09.05	Summarize specific primary prevention methods, including vaccinations, exercise, nutrition counseling, and birth control.	
09.06	Summarize secondary prevention methods, including screening for risk factors of disease and injury prevention.	
09.07	Summarize specific tertiary prevention methods, including treatment to control symptoms and prevent complications.	
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of how the insured and uninsured interact with the U.S. healthcare system. The student will be able to:	
10.01	Identify types of health insurance (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare and Medigap, exchanges, and employment-based).	
10.02	Accurately describe the history, advantages, and disadvantages of the development of the U.S. healthcare system.	
10.03	Explain the relationship between essential services (e.g., preventive care, emergency care, choice of providers, institutional options, prescription drug options, and coverage decisions).	
10.04	Describe issues associated with having access to healthcare in the absence of health insurance and consequences of the decision not to obtain health insurance.	
10.05	Explain goals, limitations, and basic guidelines for eligibility for workers’ compensation.	
10.06	Discuss the economic implications related to access and affordability of healthcare coverage.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools, and equipment, as well as experimental, quality, and safety procedures, are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology, and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.