21 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You often split time between the office, community sites, and homes. Mornings might mean checking the electronic health record (EHR) and client databases, updating notes, and planning home visits.
Afternoons can be outreach events, home visits to teach nutrition or prenatal care, transporting clients to appointments, or meeting with providers to relay client needs and feedback about service access.
Expect Microsoft Word and Excel for reports and lists, Outlook or Google Workspace for scheduling and email, and an electronic health record (EHR) and client database for client notes and plans.
You may also make simple PowerPoint or Publisher flyers for outreach. Employers usually train you on their specific EHR and database.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 61,660 people were employed as community health workers and the median pay was $51,850 per year. The lowest tenth earned about $38,810 and the top tenth about $77,180.
Local pay varies by state, employer type (clinic, nonprofit, public health), and your experience or certifications.
AI can help draft outreach flyers, summarize common education points, or make simple client education scripts, but never paste personal health details into public AI tools. Keep client data inside the EHR or secure client database.
Always review AI suggestions for accuracy and cultural appropriateness. Follow your employer’s privacy rules (HIPAA in the U.S.) and don’t rely on AI for clinical decisions.
Many employers hire with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training or a certificate in community health or health education. Some roles prefer an associate degree or CHW certification from your state or a recognized program.
Relevant experience includes volunteering, outreach work, or roles with case management, first aid, or health education. Employers often train you on local services, the EHR, and reporting rules.
Community health workers focus on outreach, education, navigation, and linking people to services. You’ll do home visits, help enroll in insurance, monitor nutrition, and report abuse when required, but you don’t provide clinical diagnoses.
Nurses provide clinical care and medical treatment; social workers manage complex case plans and clinical counseling. CHWs bridge the community and health system, using client databases and EHRs to pass information to nurses and social workers.
Being able to relate empathetically and apply knowledge of human behavior matters every day—clients need trust and clear, culturally appropriate education. Practical skills include basic first aid and nutrition monitoring.
Organizational ability for updating client records, using the EHR and client databases, and comfort with Outlook/Google calendars for appointments are essential. Communication with providers and accurate data collection are used constantly.