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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers play an essential role in healthcare.

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What does a Community Health Worker do?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a role in promoting wellness by supporting people in adopting healthy habits and connecting families with the essential health and social services they need. As trusted neighbors and friends within the communities they serve, CHWs bridge the gap between patients, care teams, and community resources, especially when challenges like language barriers, transportation issues, housing concerns, or limited health literacy arise.

CHWs may provide approachable health education, coaching, and assistance with care navigation; help individuals understand their care plans; support them with follow-up after appointments or hospital stays; and advocate for community members within healthcare and social service systems. Some CHWs also provide basic preventive screenings, depending on employer policies and their training.

Typical work settings include:

  • Community clinics and outpatient care settings
  • Hospitals and emergency departments (including transitions of care support)
  • Health plans and population health programs
  • Public health departments and local government programs
  • Community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, shelters, and schools
  • Field-based work (home visits and community outreach)

For more information on what to expect as a CHW, you can visit the resources provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

Timeline and Training: CHW roles vary by employer and setting. Nationwide, CHWs generally need at least a high school diploma and on-the-job training; some positions prefer a postsecondary certificate or an associate degree. In California, CHW services are also covered as a Medi-Cal benefit (CalAIM), which establishes qualification pathways and supervision requirements for billing covered CHW preventive services.

StepDescriptionTypical Timeframe
Meet basic entry requirements.Most CHWs enter with a high school diploma or equivalent; some employers prefer college coursework or related experienceVaries
Complete CHW Training (Recommended)Complete a CHW certificate program or structured training that builds core skills in communication, outreach, navigation, advocacy, education, and public health basics.2-6 months
Become Certified as a CHW-Medi-Cal Track - covered CHW services: meet the Department of Health Services qualification pathwayCalifornia Department of Health Services describes a Certificate Pathway (proof of a CHW certificate aligned with core competency areas + field experience) or a Work Experience Pathway (≥2,000 hours in the prior 3 years; the certificate must be earned within 18 months of the first CHW visit if not already held).Varies
Annual Training for MediCal CHWsCHWs must complete a minimum of 6 hours annual in the core competencies or specialty areas6 hours

Note: California does not currently have a single statewide CHW certificate in place; in Medi-Cal guidance, DHCS has indicated that certificate programs that meet the required core competencies are acceptable for CHW services under current policy.

 

What Does Training Entail?

  • Communication, interpersonal skills, and relationship-building
  • Health education and facilitation (health literacy, coaching, behavior change support)
  • Service coordination, care navigation, and referrals to community resources
  • Advocacy and capacity-building for individuals and communities
  • Community outreach, assessment, and basic public health principles (including social drivers of health)
  • Documentation, professionalism, and ethical practice, including privacy requirements such as HIPAA in healthcare settings)

Career Advancement: CHWs can grow professionally in many areas:

  • Advance to Lead CHW, CHW Supervisor, Program Coordinator, or Outreach Manager roles
  • Specialize in areas like chronic disease support, maternal-child health, behavioral health, substance use recovery support, violence prevention, or care transitions DHCS
  • Move into adjacent roles such as Patient Navigator, Care Coordinator, Health Educator, or Community Program Specialist
  • Pursue additional education (e.g., public health, social work, nursing, health administration)

Outlook: Nationally, employment of Community Health Workers is projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. In California, Community Health Worker jobs are expected to increase by 19.1% between 2023 and 2033. The median annual wage for a Community Health Worker was $51,030 nationwide in 2024, and in California, the median annual salary was $59,124.

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