Community Health Workers, which may also be referred to as Outreach Worker, Patient Navigator and Promotors de Salud, may see patients in:

• Office settings
• Clinics
• Individual residences
• Health facilities

Individuals who perform well in this occupation have:

• Exercise good judgment
• Able to solve problems within the application of professional service
• Good listening and communication skills
• Computer skills in MS word and data-entry

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Our certificate prepares you to enter the workforce as a Community Health Worker (CHW) to enter the workforce to promote health within their community. As a CHW, you would:

• Serve as a liaison between communities and health care agencies
• Enhance community residents’ ability to effectively communicate with healthcare providers
• Discuss the fundamental background about biological function of the human body
• Assess basic vital signs
• Provide referral and follow-up services or otherwise coordinates care
• Identify and help enroll eligible individuals in federal, state, and local private or nonprofit health and human services programs

Our curriculum is delivered over a 12-week period through lecture and clinical practice in the role of a CHW. Our study includes six major areas:

• Healthcare
• Health education
• Social services
• Communication skills
• Individual and community advocacy

Bi-weekly zoom and remote (online) lecture, group-work, discussion, written assignments and quizzes. Classes begin each Spring and Fall semesters.

Completion of this 120-hour online course meets the education requirements of the PA Certification Board CCHW credential. See complete certification information from the Board https://www.pacertboard.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/PCB_CCHW_Application_19.pdf. (pdf)

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

• Obtain an introduction to the role and life of a Community Health Worker
• Build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy
• Identify health promotion, disease prevention, and behavioral strategies as a part of primary health care
• Examine career paths and options for continuing education and career development.
• Serve as a liaison between communities and health care agencies
• Enhance community residents’ ability to effectively communicate with healthcare providers
• Discuss the fundamental background about biological function of the human body
• Assess basic vital signs
• Demonstrate knowledge of barriers to primary health care and the importance of health equity/equality
• Provide guidance and social assistance to community residents
• Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship of culture and individuals’ health practices, beliefs.
• Discuss basic effective communication techniques and barriers to effective communication.
• Introduce the guiding principles (CHWs) use in their practice.
• Provide referral and follow-up services or otherwise coordinate care
• Identify and help enroll eligible individuals in federal, state, and local private or nonprofit health and human services programs

• View summaries of our noncredit courses at HACC by browsing our schedule.

• Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.

Our certificate is designed to lead you directly into the workforce as a Community Health Worker (CHW).

For your convenience, our certificate can be completed entirely through asynchronous instruction. The curricular content is presented via zoom, spending approximately 54 hours of online lecture, 46 hours of online content learning and 20 hours of Internship (on own).

Yes! We offer many scholarships through the HACC Foundation. Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. To learn how to apply, please visit hacc.edu/Scholarships.

You can enter this certificate each spring and fall classes at HACC. Please use the information listed in the "How Can I Learn More" section to contact us to learn start dates and enrollment deadlines.

Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.

Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.