Becoming a Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers are responsible for various tasks, depending on the requirements of their employers. They mostly work in the fields of health and nutrition. They work for the health of the community, who are often deprived of primary healthcare. Such people include migrant workers and immigrants. These people come from different ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. The Community Health Workers face tough challenges while dealing with such people.
Education Requirements:
A Bachelor’s Degree is must for Community Health Workers. The subjects may include social and human behavior as well as language proficiencies apart from regular course work. The education requirements for Community Health Workers vary depending on the employers. In most cases, they look for employees who can speak the language of the community they are going to serve.
Community Health Workers may also be required to undergo on-the-job training of up to 100 hours or a certification program in the related field.
Job Responsibilities:
- Treating minor illnesses
- Looking after pregnant women
- Ensuring proper childcare
- Providing family planning services
- Promoting sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene
- Screening infectious and communicable diseases
- Encouraging health education activities
- Collecting data and records
- Helping health care and social service systems
- Translating and interpreting for clients and healthcare service providers
Salary & Job Outlook:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job outlook for Community Health Workers remain very good and is expected to grow at 21% during the period of 2012-22. In 2012, the average salary of these professionals was $41,830 per year.