2. Introduction
Becoming a Community Health Worker is one of the many
possible careers that can follow a Health Science degree. Because
of my public health background, I feel that I am well equipped to
start my career as a Community Health Worker.
3. Job Summary
The working job title of my position is Accountable Communities
Population Health Cooperative. “The AC Co-ops will be able to
provide or facilitate training for Community Health Workers
(CHWs) in the Communities and for Community Volunteers” (Job
Description- Accountable Communities Health Cooperative,
2016).
4. What is a Community Health
Worker?
“Community health workers should be members of the
communities where they work, should be selected by the
communities, should be answerable to the communities for their
activities, should be supported by the health system but not
necessarily a part of its organization, and have shorter training
than professional workers” (Community Health Workers: What
do We Know About Them?, 2007).
5. History
It is believed that Community Health Workers have been around
for at least 50 years. Chinese barefoot doctors were the earliest
form of the program, however Thailand also used Village Health
Volunteers and Communicators since the early 1950s. The term
Village Health Worker (VHW) was the term that was most
commonly used when the programs first began.
6. Growth Potential
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is a
shortage of well-trained health workers (WHO, 2007). There is an
increase in demand for community health workers especially in
high-income countries, therefore there is great potential for
growth in this field.
7. Salary Range
The average salary range for this position is about $22,570-
$62,880. The benefits included in this position are the health
insurance and retirement.
8. Personal Qualities
There are several personal qualities that may be considered
helpful while working in this field. Being open minded, caring,
and patient are just a few of the personal qualities that will help
one exceed in this position. This career works directly with
patients, therefore obtaining qualities such as these help to make
the process run more smoothly.
9. Training/Degrees/Certification
Community Health Worker training is necessary to work in the
field. Shana Madden plans to get her Certificate of Behavioral
Analysis and possibly her Masters. A degree in Public Health gives
a great background for this position. She also recommends the
Certified Health Educator Specialist test.
10. O*Net Interest Profiler
The O*Net Profiler was a very helpful and useful test. My interest
results were highest in the social, investigative, and enterprising
sections. However, when Brooke Simecka read the prompts
aloud, I scored highest in the social and realistic sections.
11. Connecting the O*Net Interest
Profiler to My Career
Being social is very important in this career. Community Health
Workers are constantly listening, informing, and interacting with
patients and must have strong social skills. Being realistic is
important because these types of people like working with
objects, machines, tools, and being outdoors. In this field, it is
likely that one will learn how to operate new machines or tools
and need to be versatile learners.
12. Conclusion
Community Health Workers hold a very important role in the
community. They are considered a liaison between the health
care system and other health professionals. They help develop
and implement strategies to improve the health of the
community. Without them, the health care system would
certainly be more fragmented than it currently is.
13. Works Cited
Lehmann, Uta, and David Sanders. "Community Health Workers."
SpringerReference (2007): n. pag. Web.
