Community Health Worker
Program Description
Community health workers teach the basics of good health and link people to health care and social service systems. Upon completion of Minneapolis College’s 17-credit Community Health Worker (CMHW) certificate, you’ll be able to help improve health care access for underrepresented groups, the elderly and the chronically ill.
Advantages
- This curriculum was developed specifically for Minnesota’s unique populations and local health/human services organizations, preparing you for a more successful career experience.
- With an 80-hour internship requirement, you’ll become familiar with many local health and social services agencies and grow comfortable working with people of all ages, needs and backgrounds.
- This program’s 80 hours of internship may be applied to the internship requirement for an associate degree in the Human Services program.
- Minneapolis College’s strong ties to local healthcare agencies provide great opportunities to apply your knowledge.
- You’ll gain exposure to the health perspectives and needs of immigrant and minority populations through hands-on learning opportunities.
Program Details
Award Requirements and Course Descriptions & Outlines
Please select the award below to view the degree options and requirements in the college catalog.
What You Will Learn
- You will be trained to work as a liaison between providers, clients and agencies.
- You will develop critical thinking as a framework for solving problems and making decisions.
- You will gain an understanding of how ethics influences client care.
- You will learn how to gather and record appropriate client and community information.
- You’ll acquire knowledge of basic concepts of the most common diseases found in client populations.
Beyond-the-Classroom Opportunities
- Students can master their teaching and presenting skills through 80 hours of internship activities at various health and social services agencies.
- As part of the Community Health Worker certificate program, students will have many opportunities to promote good health in the community.
Occupational Outlook
The demand for community health workers is likely to increase as the population grows and ages. More trained workers will be needed at residential care facilities to help the elderly make appointments, coordinate referrals and follow medication instructions. Workers will also be needed at community-based and independent-living sites to assist the homeless, the mentally and physically disabled and those in substance abuse programs.
In addition, many community health workers pursue work as doulas, helping to coach and support women during and after childbirth. There is also a growing need for workers to assist those who are diabetic and to provide support and encouragement to people in weight loss programs.
Potential Job Titles
- Social and human services assistant/specialist
- Community health advocate
- Eldercare advocate
- Weight loss advocate/coach
- Diabetes coach
- Addictions counselor assistant
- Casework specialist
Where You Could Work
- Community health centers
- Nonprofit clinics and agencies
- State and local government agencies
- Social services agencies
- Residential care centers