2. Shana M. Madden
Shana works as a Community Health Worker through Greenville
Health Systems at the Extension Office. I asked her fifteen
questions that gave me a better idea about what she does on a
daily basis and what types of training are required to become a
Community Health Worker.
Date of interview: May 20th 2016
3. What personal qualities or
abilities are important to being
successful?
First, being caring and open minded with all patients in Public
Health is extremely important. Also, remembering that others
live differently than you and me is critical as well. Organization is
important with patient information because of its confidentiality.
Multi tasking is a good quality to have in this program since it is
new and job requirements are always changing. I work on
extension programming and then switch roles to see patients.
4. How did you get this position?
What are common career paths?
Dr. Dye and Jenny, a Nurse Practitioner I worked with in the
Sullivan Center during my internship both reached out and
suggested that I apply. They felt I was a great fit for the position
and I am thankful that they saw my potential. Other students in
my field took positions in primary care offices or went on to
graduate school.
5. What types of training do
companies offer persons
entering this field?
There is always the opportunity to go back and further your
education. Obviously, they offered me my CHW training. I have
had training specific to our team as well such as canning, etc. I
think that I will get my Certificate of Behavioral Analysis at some
point. That would be beneficial with this population. Also, I would
love to obtain my Masters degree. The benefit of being an
employee at Clemson is the opportunity to take some classes and
pay no tuition.
6. What areas of knowledge are most
important for advancement in this
field? What degrees? Certification?
A background in Population Health/Public Health is important. Also,
the Community Health Worker Certification and Mental Health First
Aid certifications have been very helpful with this population. I do not
have this certification but would recommend the CHES (Certified
Health Educator Specialist) test if you have time to take it. The skills
you learned in pre-internship can also be used in a position such as this
one. I have used all my skills I learned while working on the Mobile
Health Clinic. (Blood pressure, finger pricks, pulse, temp, etc.)
7. If you were starting out again,
would you do anything
differently?
I would have searched for a job in my field as soon as possible. I
had a job in a great DME provider’s office but I think this could
have caused me to miss out on opportunities in the health
education field.
8. What do you do on a typical day
in this position?
Each day in this position can be different. Some days are office
days that consist of logging my Cumis time, mileage, responding
to emails/voicemails, calling/charting patients, staff meetings,
etc. Other days I am out visiting patients or helping out at the
Mobile Health Clinic. I also participate in monthly meetings with
GHS and also work with the Neighborhood Health Partners Team
in their office.
9. How many hours do you typically
work each week? Do you often
work in the evenings or weekends?
My hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. This job can
always require after hours for trainings, programs, and even helping
patients.
10. What is a typical starting salary?
Average salary? Other benefits?
I think an average salary is around $32,000. Benefits for working
at Clemson are the health insurance and the retirement.
11. What are the geographic
restrictions in this field? How much
are you required to travel?
There are areas that are considered to be food deserts, in which good
grocery stores are not nearby. However, the five medical
neighborhoods I serve are all within Greenville County.
12. What is unique about your
organization?
Our organization is unique because it brings the education to the
people. It is amazing how many people do not know what the
Extension program is or how it can help them.
13. Is there a demand for people in
this occupation?
There is always a shortage for agents in the Extension program. In
the health field in general there is always a demand because
unfortunately we will always deal with sickness and disease. I
think there will always be a need for people in this career field.
14. What is the "corporate culture"
here, i.e. is it formal, informal, do
people work autonomously, does
everyone come early, stay late?
We all work the same hours unless we go out for programs and
trainings that are specific to us. Occasionally, some employees will stay
late if working on a program that is at night. Also, we sometimes have
to work around a patient’s schedule and that may be after hours.
15. Is your organization expanding,
shrinking or maintaining? Who are
the competitors in this field?
In the business world such as GHS there will always be competitors. In
the Extension, we all try to work with other partners in the state to
achieve the same goal, which is to help patients!
16. What are the professional
journals in this field that I
should read?
I just keep up with current health and wellness topics and chronic
conditions that may be on the rise.
17. What special advice would you
give a person entering in this
field?
If someone wanted to work as a Health Extension Agent, I would
suggest a Bachelors in Health Education/Promotions or
Public/Population Health. Also, the CHES certification, the CHW
certification if given, and the Mental Health First Aid would be
beneficial. All of those are certifications I have obtained and used
since taking the position.
