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What is a Community Health Worker?
Community health worker (CHW) is an umbrella term describing public health and/or social service workers who are close to and serve members of the community by helping them to adopt healthy behaviors. They may work for pay or volunteer in association with a local agency, organization, or healthcare system. They usually share ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, values, and life experiences with the community members they serve.
The Pros and Cons of a Career as a Community Health Worker
Pros
You can get involved at all levels. A variety of careers fall under the community health worker umbrella, and it's possible to work as a CHW with just a high school diploma. There are also opportunities for those with bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even PhDs. It depends on the type of work required.
The work is gratifying. You'll be helping people gain access to healthcare they otherwise would not get. If you don't find that gratifying, this is probably not the right job for you.
Cons
Funding can be unpredictable. The community health field is largely funded by government programs, an unreliable source (because government priorities shift).
The bureaucracy can be frustrating. The paperwork and certification requirements for government programs are legendarily complex and confusing. If you get into this profession, be prepared to solve problems and persevere.
Types of Community Health Worker Careers
CHWs often have more specific job titles, such as:
- Care coordinator
- Community health advisor
- Health educator
- Health Navigator
- Outreach and enrollment specialist
- Patient Advocate
- Promotora de salud
Community health workers might work alongside helping professionals like:
- Social workers
- Primary care doctors
- Public health experts
There are CHW jobs available in:
- Hospitals
- Government organizations
- Outpatient programs
- Individual/family services
- Religious and professional (and other) organizations
Some community health workers even work internationally, helping to build stronger healthcare systems abroad and educate local health professionals.
CHWs Provide a Wide Variety of Support Services
- Appointment management
- Build relationships among organizations to impact public health policy
- Connect patients to community and health resources
- Coordinate transportation
- Health education on a variety of topics
- Health screenings
- Home visits and assessments
- Insurance or program enrollment and varification
- Make referrals
- Measure blood pressure and pulse
- Medication counseling
- Mentor
- Provide First Aid
- Reduce isolation among patients
- Organize and conduct community outreach events
- Translator
Watch these Videos to Learn More about the Variety of CHW Careers
What Skills and Qualities do you Need as a Community Health Worker?
Skills and Knowledge
CHWs need a broad range of knowledge and skills. While the examples below would be helpful in obtaining employment as a CHW they are not always required when applying for an entry level position, as there may be opportunities for on the job training.
- Social services
- Case management
- Health education
- Behavioral health
- Public health and safety
- Appointment setting
- Treatment planning
- Medicare/Medicaid knowledge
- Health promotion programs
- Data entry
Personal Qualities of a Community Health Worker
Commitment to social justice - The commitment and heart to fight injustice and to advocate for social changes that promote the health and well-being of the clients and communities.
Competence - Developing the knowledge and skills required to provide quality services to all the clients and communities being served
Connected to the community - Being a community member or having a close understanding of the community you serve with shared life experiences and strong desire to help the community.
Good psychological health - Having the mental and emotional capacity to perform your work professionally without doing harm to clients, colleagues, or yourself.
Interpersonal warmth - The ability to listen and respond to clients and communities with compassion and kindness.
Objectivity - Striving to work with and view clients and their circumstances without the influence of personal prejudice or bias.
Open -mindedness - The willingness to embrace others’ difference, including their flaws and be non-judgmental in your interactions with them.
Self-awareness and understanding - Being willing and able to reflect upon and analyze your own experience, biases and prejudices, to ensure that they do not negatively affect your interactions with clients and colleagues.
Sensitivity - To be aware of and truly respect the experience, culture, feelings and opinions of others.
Trustworthiness and mature - Being honest, allowing others to confide in you, maintaining confidentiality, and upholding professional ethics.
Not sure you have what it takes to be a CHW?
Learn more about your personal qualities and how they fit this career option by completing the short assessments below.
- Did your results demonstrate high scores in the personal qualities needed to be a CHW?
- Did the results of the tests surprise you? Why or why not?
- What areas did you score high in and what areas did you score low in?
- What steps could you take to increase your scores in the areas you scored low in?