Table 1.

Caregiver Navigator Competencies

Competency (based on Valverde et al. [12]	Performance goals	Training activities	Learning strategy	Format/supervising role	Approximate duration
Initial training and continuing education
Sensitivity to ethical, cultural, and professional issues
	Understand performance expectations and understand the role of the caregiver navigator	Meeting to review expectations and evaluation criteria	One-on-one discussion #	In-person meeting with Principal Investigator (PI) and Lab Manager	Initial training: 1 h (Yearly continuing education)
	Understand and respect principles of safety, confidentiality, and ethics	CITI research basics training Discuss policies regarding high-risk caregiver referral	Lectures and written materials +	Independent review of written and online materials In-person meetings with PI and social work staff	Initial training: 3 days (Yearly continuing education)
	Understand and follow institutional rules and regulations	Institutional health and safety training Review of institutional website, available resources, campus tours	Lectures and written materials +	Independent review of written and online materials Staff-directed in- person tours	Initial training: 3 days (Yearly continuing education)
Research knowledge
	Understand rationale for the study and general research methodology Apply research knowledge to study procedures	Review of study protocol and caregiver navigation manual Review of all study resource documents Meetings with PI and study staff	Written materials +  In-person group meetings #	Independent review of written and online materials One-on-one and team meetings, coordinated by PI	Initial training: 2 weeks (Continuing education as needed)
Health and caregiving knowledge
	Demonstrate knowledge of the caregiving and neuro-oncology biopsychosocial experience, including barriers to caregiver social support, patient clinical experiences, and end-of-life issues	Directed readings from the Handbook of Psycho-Oncology Review of national cancer organization websites Watch recorded lectures on the effects of a brain tumor on the patient and implications for caregivers (UCSF resource)	Written materials, web-based materials, video lectures +	Independent review of written and online materials, videos	Initial training: 1 week
Communication/interpersonal skills
	Demonstrate effective and professional communication with caregivers based on their needs, goals, strengths, barriers, solutions, and resources	Readings and discussion regarding documentation, confidentiality, communication, boundaries, professionalism, and ethics Presentation and discussion of situational navigation vignettes Shadowing patient navigator	Written materials +  Group meetings, shadowing #	Independent review of written and online materials Virtual discussion with team members, coordinated by PI In-person patient navigator shadowing, coordinated by PI	Initial training: 3 h
	Foster trust and collaboration between the caregiver, research, and clinical teams in meetings and informal communication	Shadowing and meeting with clinic oncologist, social worker, nurse Review of patient/caregiver blogs Group interview with neuro-oncology patient and caregiver Bimonthly all-team project meetings	Written materials (blogs) +  Individual and group meetings, shadowing #	Review of written and online materials In-person and group interviews, clinical shadowing, coordinated by PI	Initial training: 3 days (Continuing education: 1 h/month)
	Develop and demonstrate empathic and culturally-competent communication to maintain positive interpersonal interactions	Role-play assessment, problem-solving, empathy, active listening, difficult conversations, with feedback	Role play and feedback #	In-person role-play with navigation expert & clinical psychologist, coordinated by PI	Initial training: 1 day
Initial training and ongoing supervision
Caregiver coordination
	Conduct caregiver assessments (i.e., assess needs, goals, self-management, behaviors, and strategies for improvement) using theory-based techniques, documentation, confidentiality/privacy, professional boundaries, and ethics Demonstrate knowledge regarding resources available to address caregiver needs	Role play protocol sessions with feedback Review and discuss participant sessions and documentation	Role play and feedback #	In-person role-play with PI, clinical psychologist, anthropologist, other team members, coordinated by PI and Lab Manager Ongoing PI supervision, navigation expert consultation	Initial training: 2 weeks Ongoing intensive quarterly review and weekly check-ins (1 h)
Practice-based learning
	Optimize navigator practice through continual professional development and the assimilation of scientific evidence, based on individual patient navigator gaps in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities, to continuously improve in the role	Log training and lessons learned Debrief about own comfort, emotions, and connections around material Request additional support/ resources	Individual reflection, Debriefing #	Independent diary writing In-person and virtual one-on-one meetings with PI, Lab Manager, or staff; coordinated by PI and Lab Manager (or by navigator request)	1–2 h/week, as needed
Systems-based practice
	Monitor and evaluate resources for caregivers to meet needs and ensure quality	Independently verify and identify unique caregiver resources	Web- and phone-based searches #	Independent web and phone research, reviewed by PI	1–2 h/month
	Monitor and cultivate relationships within the broader research and clinical system to identify potential resources for caregivers and ensure program effectiveness	Engage in ongoing collaborative dialogue with institutional research and clinical staff	Individual/ group meetings #	Independently-initiated interactions; meetings may be coordinated by PI	1–2 h/week

 + indicates passive learning strategy; # indicates active learning strategy