LA JUNTA — Otero Junior College is excited to announce an expansion of the current Health Navigator program offered at OJC. The program will now be offered as a cooperative program among three southern Colorado colleges; Otero Junior College, Lamar Community College and Trinidad State Junior College.

This new opportunity will allow more students to enroll and complete the program. Students will take the basic courses through one of the three colleges close to them. Once the basic courses are complete, students will then finish the degree online through OJC.

A Health Navigator is an individual who works as part of a health care team, or with a health care system to reduce barriers to accessing care. They guide individuals and families through the complex health care system, ensuring they fully utilize the services most appropriate for and available to them. A Health Navigator’s daily duties may include: linking patients with services; providing information and resources; helping providers interact with patients; or offering health education and promoting behavior changes.

Kaysie Schmidt, Health Navigator faculty, explained that Navigators assist clients, in a variety of settings serving as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals, linking them to health care and related social services.

“Employment opportunities are expected to grow nationally as a result of changes in health care,” said Schmidt. “This makes me excited about this cooperative program that is now available. This opportunity will allow students who are not able to attend OJC stay in their local community and become a Health Navigator. This program will not only benefit the students receiving the education but also their local communities who will benefit because of the student’s new skills.”

For additional information or to register for classes contact OJC Student Services at 719-384-6800.