What Do Patient Navigators Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for patient navigators?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what patient navigators do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Patient Navigators Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about patient navigators by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Patient Navigators counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Popular Job Titles For Patient Navigators
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
- Vocational Specialists
- Vocational Evaluators
- Case Management Associates
- Employment Specialists
- Habilitation Counselors
- Rehabilitation Specialists
- Vocational Rehabilitation Technicians
- Disability Consultants
- Rehabilitation Coordinators
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for patient navigators can be found.
Best Industries for Patient Navigators
Patient Navigators Jobs By Industry
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services: 34.7%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 16.2%
- Individual and Family Services: 12.4%
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities: 12.2%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 5.9%
- Outpatient Care Centers: 2.9%
- Other: 15.7%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of patient navigators can be found working in the Vocational Rehabilitation Services sector. In 2023, about 34.7% of all jobs for patient navigators were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (16.2%), Individual and Family Services (12.4%), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (12.2%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (5.9%) and Outpatient Care Centers (2.9%).
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What Do Patient Navigators Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what patient navigators do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work patient navigators do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that patient navigators tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for patient navigators, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Patient Navigators
Based on 5,644 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Patient Navigators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation | 3,497 | 62% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | 2,992 | 53% |
| Psychology | 2,599 | 46% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,363 | 42% |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,343 | 42% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Patient Navigators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2,150 | 38% |
| Management | 1,320 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 1,054 | 19% |
| Writing | 974 | 17% |
| Planning | 828 | 15% |
Based on 5,644 job postings related to patient navigators, rehabilitation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 62% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for vocational rehabilitation, psychology, vocational rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation counseling and social work were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for patient navigators, followed by management, coordinating, writing, planning and problem solving.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation | 3,497 | 62% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | 2,992 | 53% |
| Psychology | 2,599 | 46% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,363 | 42% |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,343 | 42% |
| Social Work | 2,027 | 36% |
| Disabilities | 1,933 | 34% |
| Case Management | 1,796 | 32% |
| Human Services | 1,554 | 28% |
| Special Education | 1,128 | 20% |
| Data Analysis | 714 | 13% |
| Mental Health | 707 | 13% |
| Sociology | 648 | 11% |
| Visual Impairment Education | 585 | 10% |
| Hearing Disorders | 550 | 10% |
| Treatment Planning | 535 | 9% |
| Purchasing | 532 | 9% |
| Occupational Therapy | 441 | 8% |
| Psychiatry | 439 | 8% |
| Medical Records | 414 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2,150 | 38% |
| Management | 1,320 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 1,054 | 19% |
| Writing | 974 | 17% |
| Planning | 828 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 784 | 14% |
| Advocacy | 759 | 13% |
| Customer Service | 688 | 12% |
| Decision Making | 686 | 12% |
| Time Management | 665 | 12% |
| Microsoft Office | 610 | 11% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 604 | 11% |
| Critical Thinking | 601 | 11% |
| Research | 598 | 11% |
| Coaching | 571 | 10% |
| Computer Literacy | 498 | 9% |
| Organizational Skills | 489 | 9% |
| Detail Oriented | 488 | 9% |
| Teaching | 471 | 8% |
| Leadership | 441 | 8% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Patient Navigators
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors | 3,850 | 38.5% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 2,452 | 24.5% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists | 1,009 | 10.1% |
| Vocational Specialists | 404 | 4% |
| Vocational Evaluators | 357 | 3.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was vocational rehabilitation counselors, with 1,292 unique job postings. Rehabilitation counselors were second, with 353 postings, followed by vocational rehabilitation specialists, vocational specialists and vocational evaluators.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to patient navigators.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors | 3,850 | 38.5% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 2,452 | 24.5% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists | 1,009 | 10.1% |
| Vocational Specialists | 404 | 4% |
| Vocational Evaluators | 357 | 3.6% |
| Case Management Associates | 116 | 1.2% |
| Employment Specialists | 177 | 1.8% |
| Habilitation Counselors | 277 | 2.8% |
| Rehabilitation Specialists | 338 | 3.4% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Technicians | 203 | 2% |
| Disability Consultants | 84 | 0.8% |
| Rehabilitation Coordinators | 117 | 1.2% |
| Financial Services Consultants | 61 | 0.6% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants | 109 | 1.1% |
| Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselors | 93 | 0.9% |
| Vocational Coordinators | 73 | 0.7% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors | 85 | 0.9% |
| Vocational Case Managers | 68 | 0.7% |
| Transition Counselors | 52 | 0.5% |
| Counselors | 73 | 0.7% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for patient navigators? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for patient navigators.
How much do patient navigators make?
Patient Navigators: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.