June 25, 2015

Health coaching certificate program enrolling for fall

The popular health coaching certificate program will be offered again this fall.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nursing Service and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing will offer the popular health coaching certificate program again this fall.

Health coaches are credentialed members of the health care industry who have additional training in the science of health behavior change. They partner with patients to help set realistic health goals and help with a variety of chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome, heart disease and pain management.

The 33-week program is open to applicants with a degree in a health care field, such as registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists. It is offered in the convenient modified distance learning format, off-campus and asynchronous, with two on-campus intensives. An important component of the curriculum structure is triads, teams of three students who role-play and observe one another.

The course of study features 22 education modules in areas including patient-centered approaches, behavior change theory and application, health behavior and disease specific coaching, mindfulness and positive psychology.

Classes start Oct. 5 and run through mid-May 2016. Space in the course is limited and registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis. An early registration discount is available.

The program offers CME credits, CNE credits and Psychology CE credits. For more information, visit http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/certificate/health_coaching.html. For any questions, email healthcoaching@vanderbilt.edu.