Community Health Worker
Program Description
This program is designed to provide students with the essential skills to become a community health worker. The curriculum focuses on integration of the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual while providing the philosophical foundation and technical skills required. Students will learn individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. Students are prepared for frontline community health work serving as liaisons between health/social services and the community.
Questions?
Email: community.health@azwestern.edu
Phone: (928) 344-7552
Office: LR209
Requirements
Basic Requirements
Students must present CPR for healthcare providers card on the first day of class. Students must earn a “C” or better in all courses in the program
Computer with Webcam
All program classes are hybrid and require all students to have access to a computer with a webcam.
Zoom Video Conferencing Software
Students must be able to access Zoom conferencing software. Zoom is available to download for free after signing up.
Lecture and Discussions
Students will meet at least once a week through Zoom for lectures and class discussion. Assignments will be on Blackboard. Students must earn a “C” or better in all courses in the program.
Agreement
Completion of CHW 220 and CHW 230 requires an agreement with an employer, local healthcare or community organization willing to proctor student experience. This arrangement is to be set up at start of program.
Questions?
Email: community.health@azwestern.edu
Phone: (928) 344-7552
Check the above to view the requirements for this program.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
| Title | Local Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Community Health Worker - A.A.S. Occupational Degree | - |
| Community Health Worker - CERT Occupational Certificate | - |
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
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. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Duties/Tasks
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poisoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.
- Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.
- Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.
- Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs.
- Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.
Salary Information (AZ)
$44,250
$29,060
$38,990
$61,740
$21.27
$13.97
$18.00
$29.68
Typical Education Level
Bachelors Degree
Description
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Duties/Tasks
- Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
- Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
- Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
- Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
- Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
- Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
- Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
- Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
- Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
- Develop educational materials and programs for community agencies, local government, and state government.
Salary Information (AZ)
$51,400
$30,700
$48,460
$77,180
$24.71
$14.76
$23.00
$37.11
Typical Education Level
Associates Degree
Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Allied Health
Hours of Operation
- Normal Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 7:00am-5:00pm