Community Health Workers are not trained medical professionals, but they are responsible for a series of tasks, related to health and nutrition. They also work for the healthcare of the community, where people are deprived of primary healthcare and basic amenities. They generally work for the welfare of migrant workers and immigrants who come from different ethnicity and culture. Dealing with such people, always remains a big challenge and Community Health Workers leave no stones unturned to revive them.

Job Responsibilities:

Treating minor diseases
Helping individuals, families, groups and communities
Assisting people in getting health insurance, quality healthcare and health information
Looking after pregnant women and newborn kids
Providing family planning services
Promoting sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene in public places and residential areas
Promoting health education activities
Screening infectious and communicable diseases and providing advice
Helping healthcare and social service systems
Doing Interpretation for clients and healthcare service providers
Providing informal counseling and support
Visiting the chronically ill patients and offering them support and advice

Education Requirements:

The aspiring Community Health Workers need to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, which may include subjects such as social and human behavior as well as language proficiencies. The education requirements for Community Health Workers vary as per the employers’ requirements. The employers generally look for employees who can speak the language of the community for whom they will work.

Community Health Workers may also be required to undergo on-the-job training or a certification program in the related field.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job outlook for Community Health Workers remain bright 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.