About Cancer Patient Navigators
What is a Patient Navigator?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines a patient navigator as a person who helps guide a patient through the healthcare system. This includes help going through the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a medical condition, such as cancer. A patient navigator helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient navigators may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits, medical tests and assist with basic needs. They may also work with insurance companies, employers, case managers, lawyers, and others who may have an effect on a patient’s healthcare needs.
Background
Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia (CPNG) was established in 2009 and is co-sponsored by Georgia CORE and the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO). Georgia is one of the first states in the country to form a statewide multi-disciplinary organization for cancer patient navigators. CPNG is comprised of individuals who have a variety of education and training and serve people with all types of cancer, at all stages, in all types of settings. It became a Local Navigator Network of The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators in 2019 and is the first in Georgia to become an LNN.
Mission
Our mission is to connect, educate and share best practices among patient navigators in Georgia.
Vision
Patient navigation will play a consistent, defined and sustainable role for all Georgians throughout the cancer continuum to include prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end of life care.
Goals & Objectives:
- Build a shared sense of purpose
- Attract and sustain membership
- Identify the needs of Cancer Patient Navigators (CPNs) and match them with resources
- Foster collaboration
- Share best practices
- Define the value of CPNs in affecting overall outcomes
- Bring clarity/structure to the role of CPNs in Georgia
- Educate target audiences about the significance of CPN
- Establish a statewide registry of CPNs
Guiding Principles:
Competency
CPNG seeks to participate in defining the field of patient navigation with appropriate core competencies for navigators.
Collaboration
CPNG strives for excellence through a conscious effort to connect and share best practices through statewide communications and networking.
Compassion
CPNG shares a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
Patient-Centered
CPNG believes that all aspects of people's needs should be taken into account and seen as a whole.
Join
If you are currently working or volunteering in cancer patient navigation in a clinical or lay capacity, we invite you to consider becoming a member. There is no cost to join. Apply here today.
Get Involved
We host an annual conference, quarterly webinars and networking events throughout the year. We are always looking for speakers and hosts for our events!
Contact Us
Email us at CPNG@GeorgiaCancerInfo.org
Last Updated: 2/12/2025 4:08:09 PM