Community health worker

Definition.
According to the American Public Health Association, a Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.

Jul 9, 2023Community health workers are public health workers. Their goal is to connect communities with their health care systems and state health

As advocates, they can help ensure that underserved community members get the services and follow-up care they need. Research shows that successful community health workers can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care and build strong communication with existing health care systems.

CHWs typically form part of the care team at clinics, hospitals, and primary care agencies. They're assigned a client and visit them at home to coordinate clinic visits and create health management goals that promote self-management of disease and prevention. Agencies use CHWs to help high-risk and high-needs patients.

Community health workers (CHWs) are health care providers who live in the community they serve and receive lower levels of formal education and training than professional health care workers such as nurses and doctors.

How do I become a community health worker?

1 Get educated

Regardless of their role, community health workers must gain the training and education required to join the profession

Requirements vary considerably across states and job roles

Typically, CHWs must have at least a high school diploma

A bachelor's degree is considered an asset, though it can certainly help you land a job

What are the most common community health worker jobs?

Here are some of the most common community health worker jobs: Community health advocate: A community health advocate works closely with patients undergoing any health care treatment to help them understand the process, health care plans, and use of medication and to assist with anything the patient needs concerning insurance and financial support

What is a community health worker (CHW)?

Community health worker (CHW) is an umbrella term that includes a range of community health aides

They are typically citizens of the community they serve and support the health system as a volunteer or paid aide

Community health workers go through a much shorter training period than professional workers

Community health workers (CHWs) support the community in many ways by providing outreach, maternity support, first aid, educ…