Community Healthcare Worker
Short-Term Training
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE WORKER (CHW)
Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted members of the community they serve who assist individuals and communities in their adoption of healthy behaviors. Community health workers may conduct outreach for community or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health.
A CHW also serves as a bridge between the patient and health or social service agencies to improve access to services, quality of care, and strive to improve health outcomes. More specifically, CHWs may provide information on available resources, social support, and informal counseling. They also advocate for individuals and community health needs, discuss services such as first aid and blood pressure screening and collect data to help identify community health needs.
Certifications: Community Healthcare Worker
This 16-week, non-credit program combines 100 classroom hours with 60 service-learning hours. Classroom instruction covers topics that include the role of community health workers, public health, chronic disease management, mental health, health outreach, community organizing and advocacy, client centered counseling, conducting client interviews, care management and home visits. The service-learning experience provides individuals with the opportunity to learn and participate in resource gathering, networking and outreach.
Students will also present a final presentation on a topic that would benefit fellow students and their clients. Upon completion of 100 hours of class attendance, 60 service-learning hours and final presentation, students will receive a certificate of completion from the college. At this time, students will also be able to receive their credentials from the Missouri Board of Credentialing.
This class is hybrid format – synchronous and asynchronous class hours. Synchronous class will be either attending class on campus or by remote using Microsoft Teams. Additional information can be accessed when enrolling in this class. The Asynchronous portion will be online only for that week.