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Community Health Worker

Non-Credit Course

Program Description

This course includes 60 in-class hours and 20 hours of external internship. During this course, students will be introduced to community health concepts, resources, and skills related to the role and responsibilities of a Community Health Advocate locally and nationally.

Course date: February 28, 2024. Sign up for an information session here.

Program Objectives

During or at the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe community health models and the roles, responsibilities, and skills of a community health advocate and their role in improved community health.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of barriers to primary health care.
  • Identify specific community resources related to identified client needs and the process to obtain the services.
  • Describe examples of appropriate personal safety practices during community outreach activities.
  • Identify health promotion and disease prevention behavioral strategies as a part of primary health care.
  • Describe in general terms health payment plans and public sector services.
  • Discuss basic effective communication techniques and barriers to effective communication.
  • Identify the roles and types of documentation and evaluation used by community health outreach programs.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship of culture and individuals’ health practices, beliefs, and use of health and social services.
Community Health Worker Courses
    •  
    • Code
    • Course
    • Credits
    • NCN 170
    • Community Health Worker
    • 0
    Community Health Worker course prepares students with tools necessary to help lead patients to greater engagement in health care, improved adherence to treatment, and better health outcomes. Student will learn the various components and functions of community health work including outreach methods and strategies, individual and community assessment, effective communication, cultural responsiveness and diversity, education to promote healthy behavior change, care coordination and system navigation, use of public health concepts and approaches, advocacy and community capacity building, documentation along with professional skills and conduct. The Community Health Worker (CHW) training program has been developed to align with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's recommended ten core competencies to prepare you for an entry-level position in community health.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Thursday, January 25th @ 5:00pm via Zoom

Tuesday, January 30th @ 12:00pm via Zoom

Sign up for an information session here.

What Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers Do

Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health.

Work Environment

Health education specialists and community health workers are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Most work full time.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of health education specialists and community health workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 16,000 openings for health education specialists and community health workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Pay

The median annual wage for community health workers was $46,590 in May 2021. The median annual wage for health education specialists was $60,600 in May 2021.

Program Cost

$1,650. Tuition is free.

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