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Community Health Worker

What is a Community Health Worker? 

A Community Healthcare Worker (CHW) complements clinically-trained health care teams comprised of physicians, physician assistants, and nurses, among others. CHWs carry out a broad range of responsibilities that facilitate access to health care services and help support patients to achieve goals in their care plans. 

CHW Responsibilities include: 

• Positively connecting to the community 
• Helping others find access to healthcare and social services 
• Managing cases and coordinating care 
• Delivering home-based support services 
• Coaching and promoting good health 

Course Description

In partnership with the Health Education Center, this program includes 90 classroom hours with an additional 50hrs of practicum experience for a total of 140hrs.  After successful completion, students should know: 

• Analyze health issues and inequalities from public health and cultural perspectives. 
• Summarize the process of community organizing, advocacy, and policy development as appropriate to the scope of practice for community health workers. 
• Discuss and demonstrate non-clinical health assessment, advising, and service coordination planning, and client-centered counseling. 
• Assess and apply professional skills, including the establishment of goals for internship placement, ethics, the scope of practice, professional boundaries, cultural humility, and self-care practices. 
• Evaluate health care delivery systems, including eligibility and community resources in order to provide appropriate linkage services to clients. 
• Describe and demonstrate mastery of cultural humility principles and practice in working with diverse clients and communities. 
• Design, prepare and facilitate a group health education training or presentation demonstrating effective group-level teamwork and conflict resolution skills. 

Prerequisites 

1. 16 years of age 
2. Clean criminal background. A criminal background check may be performed. Students who have a criminal record are denied access to clinical internship sites. 

NOTE: Background checks are required for most allied health positions. Students with felony convictions may have difficulty obtaining employment in these fields.  Most Allied Health positions require COVID -19 vaccination including booster 

Certification 

Upon successful completion of this 140 hour program in addition to a minimum of 1000 hrs of experience working as a community health worker, students are eligible to apply for their license through the CT Department of Public health.  For specifics, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing–Investigations/Community-Health-Worker/Certification-Requirements 

A final grade of 80 (B-) or higher is required to pass this course. 

Course Schedule

Fall 2024: More details coming soon!

• Instructor: Cynthia Jean Mary, Health Education Center 
• Instructional Method: Traditional-These classes are fully on campus. For more information about Instructional Methods, visit here.
• Date: TBD
• Day/Time: TBD
• Room: TBD
• Cost: $2,500, includes supplies
• Registration deadline: TBD

Register Now!

To register for this course, please visit Workforce Registration Page  . You’ll find directions on how to register, along with information about information sessions with Workforce advisors, funding sources for financing your tuition, refund policies, and more. 

Please Note: A seat will not be held until all your registration form and payment are received.