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Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $28K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $33K
Median Salary: $42K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $54K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $70K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.

Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.

Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.

Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.

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.

Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.

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.

Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.

Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.

Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.

Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.

Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.

Refer community members to needed health services.

Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers.

Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.

Teach appropriate parenting behaviors to individuals or families.

Advise clients or community groups on issues related to sanitation or hygiene, such as flossing or hand washing.

Collect information from individuals to compile vital statistics about the general health of community members.

Teach classes or otherwise disseminate medical or dental health information to school groups, community groups, or targeted families or individuals, in a manner consistent with cultural norms.

Advise clients or community groups on issues related to social or intellectual development, such as education, childcare, or problem solving.

Assist families to apply for social services, including Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.

Interpret, translate, or provide cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members.

Provide basic health services, such as first aid.

Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.

Advise clients or community groups to ensure parental understanding of the importance of childhood immunizations and how to access immunization services.

Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.

Provide feedback to health service providers regarding improving service accessibility or acceptability.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Desktop publishing software
Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software
SmugMug Flickr
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Medical software
Electronic health record EHR software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Apple macOS
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multi-line telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer ink jet printers
Emergency and field medical services products
Emergency first aid kits
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Blood glucose monitoring equipment
Motor vehicles
Passenger cars
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Laser facsimile machines
Patient exam and monitoring products
Manual blood pressure cuffs
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
90%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language
79%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training
77%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Administration and Management
74%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Medicine and Dentistry
72%
Importance

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Psychology
72%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Clerical
67%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Computers and Electronics
60%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Personnel and Human Resources
60%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Therapy and Counseling
60%
Importance

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
83%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness
83%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking
83%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
80%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation
78%
Importance

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Critical Thinking
75%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning
73%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination
73%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Complex Problem Solving
70%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
85%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
83%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Problem Sensitivity
75%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
75%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
75%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Expression
75%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
73%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Inductive Reasoning
70%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Top 10 Work Activities
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
98%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
95%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
95%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
94%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
93%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
91%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Documenting/Recording Information
90%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Assisting and Caring for Others
88%
Importance

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Interacting With Computers
88%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
88%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Detailed Work Activities

Provide basic health care services.

Advise clients or community groups on health issues.

Advise others on social or educational issues.

Advocate for individual or community needs.

Develop working relationships with others to facilitate program activities.

Visit individuals in their homes to provide support or information.

Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.

Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.

Provide educational materials to community members.

Assess individual or community needs for educational or social services.

Interpret cultural or religious information for others.

Maintain client records.

Monitor nutrition related activities of individuals or groups.

Refer clients to community or social service programs.

Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.

Lead classes or community events.

Help clients get needed services or resources.

Collect information about community health needs.

Plan programs to address community health issues.

Recommend legal actions.

Transport clients to appointments.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Education
Majors
Major
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Public Health
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
Interests
Social
100%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Enterprising
48%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Investigative
48%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional
43%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Artistic
39%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Realistic
29%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
95%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
94%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation
92%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Adaptability/Flexibility
91%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Independence
91%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Initiative
90%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others
89%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Social Orientation
88%
Importance

Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Innovation
87%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Leadership
86%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values
Relationships
100%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
65%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Support
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.