Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers (CHWs) work with individuals and groups to promote health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. This Certificate of Achievement prepares students for an entry-level position as Community Health Worker (level 1). Other position titles include: Promotore • Patient Navigator • Patient Advocate • Health Navigator • Health Ambassador • Lifestyle Coach • Community Advocate and others.

The Monterey County Workforce Development Board has identified Community Healthcare Workers as an "in demand" occupation for health care employers in Monterey County.  This program is embedded in the existing Medical Assistant program. Students who have earned the existing Medical Assistant Certificate only need one additional course to earn the Community Healthcare Worker COA  The program anticipates 10-15 students will earn this certificate each year.  

The goal/objective for the proposed MPC Community Health Worker Certificate of Achievement is to assist in meeting a critical workforce need identified by Prevention First Monterey, the Workforce Development Board and the Public Health Department.  Prevention First completed a survey of 20 health organizations in the region, the results of which showed: 9 Organizations (45%) report utilizing CHWs/Promotores to deliver services 5 Organizations (25%) report having a strategic plan to increase the capacity of CHWs (as a part of their DSME program). CHW position titles include: Promotores • Patient Navigator • Patient Advocate • Health Navigator • Health Ambassador • Lifestyle Coach • Community Advocate and others. The addition of this program gives allied health students more options for employment and career paths. It may also attract students from the fields of Human Services and Communication. Ultimately, the expectation is that this program will help fill the need begin experienced in the region.  

  

HLTH 4          Healthy Living                                                                  3      First Fall 

HUMS 53        Counseling Techniques for the Paraprofessional      3       First Fall 

MEDA 100     Introduction to Health Careers                                     1      First Fall 

MEDA 250     Community Health Worker Level 1                               3      First Spring

SPCH 4           Intercultural Communication                                        3      First Spring

MEDA 251     Community Health Worker Externship                         2    Summer 

Total Units                                                                                        15

Courses should be taken in the sequence listed above.  MEDA 251 Community Health Worker Externship is taken after other courses have been completed.  

The Community Health Worker certificate has been developed by the existing MPC Medical Assisting faculty and is an additional component to the Medical Assisting programs. Students who are pursuing Medical Assisting have the option to expand their skill sets by incorporating the Community Health Worker courses into their studies.

Due to the large demand for this program, Hartnell and Cabrillo are also developing Community Health Worker certificates. Meetings hosted by the Monterey County Workforce Development staff have kept us all informed about the great need and each institutions plans for addressing the need.