OVERVIEW
What is a Community Health Worker?
Imagine trying to set up a doctor’s appointment, but you don’t understand English. Or finding out you’re pregnant, but your family support system is in another country. You’re completely on your own. Where do you turn?
That’s where community health workers come in. Community health workers are on the front lines to promote public health in their communities. They guide individuals to help them navigate complex healthcare and social support systems.
Above all else, community health workers are advocates for individuals in their communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Community Health Worker Do?
Community health workers are closely tied to the communities they serve. They’re dedicated to making a difference and improving public health in their communities. Through advocacy, education, and informal counseling, they provide support to individuals and families.
Today, with the rising costs of healthcare and the need for health interventions, CHWs are in high demand. Their work directly impacts community health initiatives and individual health outcomes.
Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Curious about how to become a community health worker? Find out more about the career below.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Community Health Worker?
The steps to becoming a community health worker depend on a variety of factors. What type of position are you looking for? Where do you live? Are you looking to work for a nonprofit, government, or hospital role?
At a minimum, entry-level positions usually require a high school diploma or associate degree. However, most CHW positions require a bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field. And if you’re interested in working in the federal government or a public health agency, you’ll likely need a master’s or doctoral degree.
Step One: Obtain a health-related bachelor’s degree
The first step to starting your CHW career is getting a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. A bachelor’s degree in health and human services prepares you to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. You’ll use your knowledge to support individuals and families and connect them with resources.
Step Two: Get on-the-job training or a certification
While you’re pursuing your bachelor’s degree, consider finding an internship or mentorship program to get some experience working with individuals in the community. After you graduate, you can either pursue a CHW certificate or start applying to jobs, depending on your goals.
Step Three: Find your specialization
Between managing caseloads and monitoring health progress, CHWs are well equipped for healthcare services. Some CHWs use the role as a starting point for their healthcare careers. They may decide to shift into nursing, public health, or another role in medicine.
Others specialize or dive deeper into community health work. On the community-facing side, you could focus on mental health, diabetes education, drug and alcohol counseling, or health education.
For CHWs interested in the administrative side of things, one option is to pursue a role as a program coordinator. Program coordinators oversee public health programs and are deeply involved in planning, implementation, and assessments. Another option is becoming a director of family health services. Unlike a standard CHW role, directors don’t usually work directly with the community. Instead, they help manage projects, hire and supervise CHW staff, and oversee program budgets.
Do I Need a Community Health Worker Certification for This Position?
For many states, certification is voluntary; however, some states require a community health worker certification. Many organizations require a bachelor’s degree and may require on-the-job training, certifications, or an advanced degree.
Best Degrees for a Community Health Worker
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSN and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.
- Time: 61% of grads finish within 23 months
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program
This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses with a BSN and MSN...
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses with a BSN and MSN component, allowing them to go from RN to MSN.
- Time: 63% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 36 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 31 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for currently licensed RNs who are looking to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree at an accelerated pace.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Informatics System Analysis and Design
- Data Science and Analytics
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Leadership and Management
The trajectory of data and informatics in healthcare will continually open opportunities for registered nurses who take this path.
Health & Nursing
Master of Public Health
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for...
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for students who want to make a difference in their community.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Health & Nursing
Psychology – B.S.
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.
- Time: 95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
- Tuition: $4,085 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Social psychology
- Consumer psychology
- Adult psychology
- Mental health awareness
- Psychopathology
This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.
Health & Nursing
Public Health - B.S.
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact...
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact your community and make a difference.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 33 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Cognitive psychology
- Public health approaches
- Epidemiology
- Biopsychosocial health models
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Community Health Worker Make?
$46,190
A Community Health Worker’s salary varies depending on the industry served, whether that’s hospitals, nonprofits, government, or family services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary for CHWs was $46,190 in 2022.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
14%
To reduce healthcare costs and improve public health outcomes, organizations will increasingly look to community health workers to educate, promote health, and be a resource for the community. The BLS predicts the demand for CHWs is expected to grow by 14%—much faster than the average for all occupations.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Community Health Worker Need?
Community health workers usually don’t work alone in a back office or hide behind their computers all day. Just like the name suggests, being a CHW entails working in the community. Community health workers are empathetic and willing to go the extra mile to ensure individuals have access to the care services they need.
Whether you work in a hospital setting or with family services, being a CHW involves connecting with others and promoting health for residents in the community.
Some qualities of a community health worker include:
- Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills
Understanding of local social and health resources to make appropriate referrals
Ability to maintain electronic medical records and manage data
Comfortable with public speaking and leading group discussions and workshops
Strong organization and case management skills
Ability to provide counseling and mentorship to community members
- Knowledge of and a strong desire to help the community
Comfortable conducting home visits and community outreach
Risk identification skills to recommend appropriate health plan and refer services
Cultural competency to communicate appropriately with a variety of populations
Bilingual, if relevant in the community served
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Interested in Becoming a Community Health Worker?
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