Community Health Worker: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Community health workers may be responsible for a number of different tasks depending on their employer and precise job title. Job duties for community health workers vary, but often include promoting health and nutrition.

View 30 Popular Schools »

Job Description for a Community Health Worker

Community health workers are often responsible for the health of members of the community who may not be cared for by traditional medical institutions. This often includes the uninsured, migrant workers and immigrants. Those served include people of all different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Community health workers may be responsible for ensuring that culturally diverse populations and underserved communities receive the proper medical attention.

Community health workers may be lay members of the community rather than trained medical personnel and work for pay or as volunteers. Those that work in this field may go by many different titles, including community health adviser, health advocate, community health representative, health promoter or health educator. Community health workers often provide some basic direct services as well, such as first aid and some types of health screening.

Job Duties for a Community Health Worker

Primary responsibilities of community health workers may include treating minor illnesses, looking after pregnant women and caring for children. Additional duties may involve family planning services, promotion of sanitation and hygiene, screening for communicable diseases, performing health education activities, collecting statistics, maintaining records and providing health care referrals.

Career and Education Requirements for a Community Health Worker

Education requirements for community health workers vary depending on their employer. Community health workers must have some post-secondary education. Generally, a bachelor's degree is required, and employers normally look for those who are able to speak the language of the community they will serve. In some cases this means that community health workers must be bilingual. Many times, community health workers are required to undergo post-hire training between nine and 100 hours through coursework, continuing education or mentoring.

Show me popular schools

Related to Community Health Worker: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
How to Become a Community Health Specialist

Learn how to become a community health specialist. Research the job description and duties and the education and...

PHD in Community Health: Info for Doctoral Students

Ph.D. programs in community health prepare students for research, administration and policy careers in the areas of...

Online Community Health Degree Program Information

Community health, or community health education, is a subfield of the public health profession that focuses on health...

Community Health Masters Degree Program Info

Community health is the area of public health that focuses on the health and well being of a particular group of...

Career Information for a Degree in Community Health Services

30 Popular Schools

Popular Schools

Avg. Wages For Related Jobs

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics