How to become A Community Health Worker

• Health Coach
• Community Health Coach
• Community Health Advisor
• Community Health Representative
• Family Advocate
• Lay Health Advocate
• Peer Health Educator
• Peer Health Promoter
• Outreach Worker
• Outreach Educator
• Health Interpreter
• Public Health Aide
• Promotora

What do Community Health Workers do?

A Community Health Worker would typically need to:

• Create connections of healthcare systems with vulnerable populations; manage their care and care transitions
• Facilitate client access to community resources such as food, clothing, local housing, education, health insurance, and providers to teach life skills, prenatal classes, parenting skills, and mental health services
• Conduct eligibility determination of services to the uninsured; coordinate transportation for the patients
• Facilitate healthcare and social service system navigation by providing health screenings, referrals, and informal counseling on diverse health and well-being issues
• Ensure cultural competence among healthcare professionals serving vulnerable populations
• Reduce social isolation among patient populations; advocate for appropriate services to under-served individuals
• Build capacity to address health issues by educating health system providers and stakeholders about community health needs
• Provide culturally appropriate health education on topics related to chronic disease prevention, physical activity, and nutrition
• Determine eligibility and enroll individuals into health insurance plans, collect data, relay information to policymakers, and inform policy change and development

A Community Health Worker may work in a typical interior/office environment, a clinical or community-based setting under indirect supervision. They work in all geographic settings, including rural, urban, and metropolitan areas.

CHWs often live in the community they serve. They spend much of their time traveling within the community, visiting homes, healthcare facilities, community locations, and outreach destinations.

A CHW is an integral part of a team that includes the clients, Providers, Nurse Case Managers, Agency Representatives, Supervisors, and office staff, from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. A CHW’s role depends on whether they work in the healthcare or social services sectors.

The dress code would vary depending on the kind of job and the type of medical facility you work in. Patients prefer their health care providers to wear white coats rather than scrubs or dress clothes. A uniform that is taken care of and fits right, closed-toe shoes, short or secured hair, subtle and mild scents go a long way in establishing patient confidence in you.

Most Community Health Workers work full time. They may need to work nights and weekends to attend programs or meetings.

Depending on the area Community Health Workers have received training in, for example, substance abuse or psychology and counseling, they may be deployed in relevant jobs.

Community Health Workers are generally employed by:

• Individual & Family Services
• Government, Religious, Grantmaking, Civic & Professional Organizations
• Private & Public Hospitals
• Outpatient Care Centers
• Health Facilities, Government Agencies & Nonprofit Groups
• Diet & Nutrition Departments at Community Centers
• Diet & Nutrition Departments at City Health Departments
• Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counseling Agencies
• Mental Health Counseling Facilities
• Recovery Centers

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Community Health Worker.

• Lack of clarity on healthcare plans for the community
• Lack of clarity on the specific role of the Community Health Worker in the community
• Integration into the care delivery team hampered by a lack of appreciation for the role of the community health worker
• Lack of sustainable funding leading to frequent changes in location of employment
• Lack of protocol on liability issues related to mistakes or negligence by the CHW
• Lack of education on the scope of practice and responsibilities of CHWs

Community Health Workers usually have some knowledge of a specific community, culture, medical condition, or disability. Having personal experience working in a multicultural setting and at least one year of on-the-job experience is preferred.

Collaboration between medical institutions and high schools creates CHW training programs through which students could provide vital health information to the underserved community and school population.

Community Health Workers need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require post-secondary education. Courses in food and nutrition, health education, introduction to healthcare, and safety and first aid are recommended as electives.

Education programs leading to a one-year certificate or a two-year associate degree, cover topics such as wellness, ethics, and cultural awareness. Undergraduate majors like psychology, sociology, community counseling, and community health may be acceptable for a master’s degree program.

Most graduate programs focus on community/school/public health education or health promotion. A Master of Science in public health (MPH), community health, or rehabilitation will land you a better job and a higher salary. Employers of CHWs prefer a doctorate in public health, specializing in epidemiology, preventive medicine, health disparities, and chronic diseases.

Voluntary certification is often seen as evidence of a Community Health Worker’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions. Certification from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, validate your knowledge, and increase your confidence at work.

A driving license is an essential prerequisite. Most employers would also require aspiring CHWs to undergo a pre-employment criminal background check and a pre-placement medical clearance. Fingerprinting and subsequent clearance may be required for the position, depending on the assignment.

Career advancement of Community Health Workers may happen in the form of upgrades to higher levels and greater responsibilities and an increase in remuneration. It may occur based on performance appraisal, training, and supervision.

As may be expected of a burgeoning field, the dependence on third-party payer reimbursement arrangements and dependence on grants for funding health outreach leaves many issues unresolved. The problems include well-defined career paths, a systematic skill set and credentials recognized across work settings.

Community Health Workers who have completed a formal education program and those who have experience working with a specific population may have more favorable job prospects. Also, opportunities may be better for candidates who speak a foreign language and understand the culture of the community that they intend to serve.

Community Health Workers typically receive up to 100 hours of additional training on the job through classroom study and job mentoring. Continuing education and training requirements vary across countries, states, cities, employers, and employment sectors.

As the field lacks unified standards, training tends to be generally local and sometimes employer-driven. Some locations have college-based training, while others have community-based training resources.

Training often covers core competencies, such as communication or outreach skills, and information about the specific health topics that they will be focusing on. For example, CHWs who work with Alzheimer’s patients may learn about how to communicate effectively with patients dealing with dementia.

CHWs also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.

Linking the Community with Health and Social Services

Community Health Workers serve as liaisons between the community and health and social services to facilitate access to services while improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. The role of the CHW began as a societal position, appointed by and responsible to the community’s members. Advocates and activists dedicated time and talent to ensure that local people received the information, resources, and services they needed on healthcare.

Where do most Community Health Workers Work?

Community Health Workers most often work in underprivileged marginalized communities where people lack access to quality health care, or have cultural beliefs and behaviors different from those of the dominant healthcare system. CHWs play an integral role in modifying the system, so it is more culturally appropriate and relevant to the people they serve.

Services Provided

Community Health Workers may work in health facilities providing case management, client education & interpretation, and follow-up care. They also work in government and non-government organizations to provide community organizing, health education, enrollment in healthcare plans, and preventive care. Job responsibilities may also include immunization, first aid, and blood pressure screening.

CHWs advise the community on issues related to diagnostic screenings like pap smears and diabetes screen, to general health like diet and exercise, to the risk or prevention of conditions such as lead poisoning, HIV prenatal substance abuse or domestic abuse, and sanitation or hygiene, such as flossing or hand washing. They also offer recommendations on matters related to social or intellectual development, such as education, childcare, or problem-solving.

Working with High-Risk or Vulnerable Populations

Community Health Workers, especially those hired by healthcare agencies, often have a disease or population-based focus. They identify and contact members of high-risk or otherwise vulnerable populations, such as members of minority groups, low-income populations and pregnant women, children, the elderly, and other high-risk groups.

To promote health, CHWs focus on improving nutrition and immunization among these groups and providing education around a specific health issue, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS. They coach the patient’s ineffective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care through diabetes management programs.

Community Health Workers also report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities. They educate the community on the proper use of the emergency room and provide information about alternatives.

Expansion of the Field

The field is rapidly expanding into health and community wellness. Community Health Workers continue to improve chronic disease management programs, health insurance enrollment, immunization drives, HIV/AIDS treatment, and access to mental health services and maternal-child health interventions.

Some Issues that Challenge Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers must secure, preserve, and develop trust, putting them in a difficult position, particularly when there is a disconnect between program goals and community priorities. CHWs are defined by the trust they receive from the communities they work in.

For example, communities that rely on their traditional medical practitioners (such as native healers) may resist efforts by a CHW to refer patients to alternate healthcare resources. CHWs must be able to balance their responsibilities to the community with their employer’s plan.

Limited Standardization and Training

Community Health is growing globally, both in interest and demand, yet the practice lacks definition, standards, and openly available training opportunities. Employment opportunities are often known only by word of mouth and come with highly varied job requirements and situations. The lack of identity and standards of practice has led employers to contribute to the confusion about who CHWs are and what they do.

Short-Term Funding

Community Health Workers often support a specific health initiative, which may depend on short-term funding sources. They may have to move from job to job to obtain a steady income. This short-term categorical funding of health services is counterintuitive to the stability and sustainability of community health.

Progress Made in Defining the Role and Training of Community Health Workers

Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and Health Care Providers see the merit in creating paid positions for CHWs to help reduce and eliminate persistent disparities in health care and health outcomes in underprivileged communities.

Training and credentialing criteria are being increasingly informed by CHW leadership and by documented promising practices. CHWs earn increasing recognition for their contribution to community organizing, increasing access to health, and improving health outcomes. Several independent professional associations are beginning to address the rapidly emerging policy issues relevant to CHW practice.

Outcomes of the Services Rendered by Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers’ service include improved access to healthcare services, increased health and screening, better understanding between community members and the health and social service system, enhanced communication between community members and health providers, increased use of health care services, improved adherence to health recommendations, and reduced need for emergency and specialty services.

On National Immunization Day, Community Health Workers often mark the left pinky fingers of children with indelible ink to keep track of who has received the vaccine drops.

A Community Health Worker seeks to promote the community’s voice within the health care system. As a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and has an unusually close understanding of the community served, they go above and beyond to serve suffering individuals and give them a fresh lease to life. The rest of us owe them big time.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. We should work to guarantee that there is a midwife or health worker by every woman’s side during childbirth.