Full course description
Overview
A core value of the American Cancer Society is that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. This includes access to high quality navigation across the cancer continuum. The ACS LION program is offered at no cost, reflecting our commitment to removing financial barriers and increasing access to high-quality training for cancer care professionals and navigators.
Professional patient navigation is an evidence-based intervention that improves cancer outcomes from screening through survivorship. To help navigators deliver this essential support to individuals, caregivers, and families experiencing cancer, the American Cancer Society launched the Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LIONTM), a standardized training, credentialing, and implementation support program. This program meets the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) training requirements for "Principal Illness Navigation" reimbursement and is aligned to Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice.
The ACS Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LIONTM) Mastery is a voluntary training and credentialing course for any individual or organization seeking recognition for providing professional navigation, including but not limited to:
- Administration or Health System Leaders
- Advanced Practice Providers
- Cancer Nurse Navigators
- Cancer Social Workers
- Case Managers
- Clinical Allied Health Professionals or Coordinators
- Community Health Workers
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Allied Health Professionals or Coordinators
- Coordinators
- Navigators
- Nurse Navigators
- Peer Educator or Patient Advisors
- Registered Nurses
- Social Workers
The ACS LION Mastery course consists of 10 modules, aligned to CMS competencies and professional oncology navigation (PONT) standards, and a summative program assessment. Learners can unlock additional courses, certificates, and continuing education after passing the Mastery summative program assessment.
Once enrolled, the learner will go through the 10-module Mastery training and be granted up to two (2) attempts to take the program assessment. Mastery program access and participation are granted for 90 days from the date of enrollment. Learners must complete the Mastery program (including the program assessment) within 90 days of enrollment or their enrollment will expire.
The learner handbook can be found here.
Technology Platforms and Requirements
You will be required to create separate logins for each platform:
- Catalog: The platform where learners enroll in ACS LION courses.
- Canvas Learning Management System (LMS): The platform that hosts the training modules. Learners create a profile and complete demographic questions during Canvas registration.
- Parchment Digital Badges: The platform where your ACS LION credential is issued and stored as a digital badge.
Learners must use a desktop or laptop computer to complete all ACS LION program requirements. Tablets and cell phones are not supported. Use the same email address in each software platform to ensure your data is synchronized.
Program Assessment
When learners enroll in the ACS LION Mastery course, they are allowed up to two attempts to pass the program assessment. These attempts must be made within 90 days of program enrollment.
The program assessment is a comprehensive exam that covers all program content presented in the ACS LION Mastery course. Learners are allowed up to 120 minutes to complete the program assessment.
Once an assessment has started, learners should not exit the page. Leaving the assessment will prevent re-entry and will count as one attempt.
ACS LION Credential
Learners who successfully complete the program (including the program assessment) will receive the ACS LION credential. By earning this credential, learners are joining other dedicated health care professionals in improving access to care through patient-centered support. Program benefits include:
- Greater credibility with the formal endorsement of your patient navigation expertise
- Improved knowledge and skills of the complex cancer care system
- Enhanced understanding of how to tailor support by patient needs 
- Preparation for greater responsibility and professional development
Once credentialed, learners will need to recredential every 3 years in addition to annual refresher content to maintain their status, thus assuring their employers and the patients and caregivers they serve that they are dedicated to staying current in the field.
To qualify to earn the ACS LION credential, learners must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age; and
- Be located in the United States or its territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) while participating in the ACS LION program and associated assessment; and
- Agree to terms of use and privacy notice for the program; and
- Complete all ten (10) modules of the program; and
- Complete each module quiz with a score of at least 80%; and
- Complete the program assessment with a score of at least 80%; and
- Complete all above requirements within 90 days of program enrollment.
ACS reserves the right to verify any and all enrollment and eligibility criteria. If a learner is found to have falsified or misrepresented their enrollment or eligibility, it is grounds for revocation of eligibility and/or certification status.