What does a Community Health Worker do?

A Community Health Worker bridges the gap between health care systems and their patients. They often work with vulnerable populations, ensuring that they have access to care and programs that can help them lead healthier, safer and more secure lives. By performing their job duties well, Community Health Workers can help eliminate disparities in care to make healthcare systems more equitable. By helping with the coordination of care, they assist patients with complex conditions and manage office visits, testing services and treatments. Their educational role also aids in the prevention of illnesses and disease to benefit the entire community and reduce burdens on the health care system.

Community Health Worker skills and qualifications

A strong skill set can help Community Health Workers perform their job duties proficiently. Some qualifications that can indicate quality candidates for your open position include:

• Interpersonal skills to promote positive interactions with patients and health care professionals
• Interviewing skills to assess patients’ needs
• Organizational skills to maintain accurate records for multiple patients
• Strong oral communication skills to convey health information in an easy-to-understand manner
• Basic understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and common conditions and treatments
• Problem-solving ability to help overcome obstacles to care
• Public-speaking skills to give effective presentations to large groups
• Computer skills to use email, word processing, spreadsheet and patient records management software

Community Health Worker experience requirements

How much experience is required for your Community Health Worker position depends on the nature of your position. If you need someone to begin working quickly, you may want to focus on candidates who have one or more years of previous work experience as a Community Health Worker. Candidates with less or no experience who possess the right skills and qualifications may be quality candidates for organizations that have the flexibility to provide more on-the-job training during the onboarding process.

Community Health Worker education and training requirements

Some states require Community Health Workers to gain professional certification prior to working in the field. Although rules vary, certification programs usually involve completing a training course and passing an examination. If your state doesn’t mandate certification, there are generally no formal education requirements for Community Health Workers. However, you still may wish to prioritize candidates who have completed a post-secondary certificate or an associate degree program related to public health or community health care. If you’re uncertain what the certification requirements are in your area, contact your state’s board of health, human services or nursing.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the Community Health Worker job description described above doesn’t meet your organization’s needs, consider these related job titles:

• Health Educator
• Home Health Aide
• Social Worker
• Nursing Assistant

Community Health Worker job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Social Worker and a Community Health Worker?

In health care, a Social Worker helps patients and their families cope with serious injuries, chronic conditions and terminal illnesses by providing counseling services. They typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and have a state license to practice. A Community Health Worker is a front-line health care worker who meets with patients to assess their needs and refer them to professionals like Social Workers, Physicians and Mental Health Professionals who can assist them.

What’s the difference between a Community Health Education Specialist and a Community Health Worker?

A Community Health Education Specialist develops and implements programs that educate patients and the public on topics like illness and disease prevention and managing the symptoms of chronic conditions. They usually have a bachelor’s degree and receive specialized training in how to design educational programs and provide instruction. While a Community Health Worker may provide basic education to patients and lead workshops and seminars, they usually aren’t responsible for developing programs.

What qualities make for a good Community Health Worker?

Successful Community Health Workers often possess certain attributes that help them perform their specified job duties. Because they’re often alone in the field, Community Health Workers require self-confidence and a strong sense of independence. Individuals who are emotionally resilient and able to function well under pressure may also excel in the field. In addition, Community Health Workers benefit from being empathetic, and those who find helping others to be meaningful and rewarding are most likely to enjoy their work.