If you're thinking about pursuing a certain field or subject but you're unsure if it's right for you, get it out of your head and turn it into an experience. Stop ruminating on it and try it out. When you turn it into an experience, a couple of things will be true. You're either going to find out that you like that subject as a hobby but not a career passion or you'll meet someone who introduces you to something you didn't expect at all, and you'll realize that it is really what you want to do.
CAREER
Community Health Workers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$42,000
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+15.2% (much faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Community Health Workers Do
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Other Job Titles Community Health Workers May Have
Apprise Counselor, Community Health Outreach Worker, Community Health Program Coordinator, Community Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep), Community Health Promoter, Community Health Worker (CHW), Community Nutrition Educator, HIV CTS Specialist (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Counseling and Testing Services Specialist)
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Community Health Workers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (36%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.