Occupation · SOC 21-1094
Community Health Workers
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.
Median wage
$51,030
$37,930–$78,560
Projected growth
+11.4%
Faster than average
Annual openings
740
per year
Employed (US)
60,730
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
754 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningWritingReading ComprehensionService OrientationCritical ThinkingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementMedicine and Dentistry
Technology & tools
Operating system softwareData base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareOffice suite softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative tasks
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.Refer community members to needed health services.Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poisoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs.Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers.Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.Advise clients or community groups on issues related to sanitation or hygiene, such as flossing or hand washing.Teach classes or otherwise disseminate medical or dental health information to school groups, community groups, or targeted families or individuals, in a manner consistent with cultural norms.Collect information from individuals to compile vital statistics about the general health of community members.Assist families to apply for social services, including Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).Advise clients or community groups on issues related to social or intellectual development, such as education, childcare, or problem solving.Provide basic health services, such as first aid.Interpret, translate, or provide cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members.Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.Advise clients or community groups to ensure parental understanding of the importance of childhood immunizations and how to access immunization services.Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.Provide feedback to health service providers regarding improving service accessibility or acceptability.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client records and intake forms — maintain and update under supervisor guidance using electronic health record or office suite software in a community health setting.Health education materials such as flyers and brochures — distribute to targeted community members at outreach events and health fairs under direct direction.High-risk or underserved community members — identify and compile lists of eligible individuals using established program criteria with support from senior staff.General health topics including diet and exercise — convey basic advisory information to individual clients using approved scripts and educational handouts.Community health fairs and neighborhood meetings — attend and represent the organization under supervision to begin building relationships with community members.Client follow-up contacts — conduct by phone or written communication according to set schedules to confirm completion of recommended health actions.Health service referrals — provide to community members by consulting a pre-approved resource directory under the guidance of a supervising health worker.Active listening and social perceptiveness skills — apply during initial client interactions to recognize basic needs and report observations to the supervising team.Presentation and word processing software — use to prepare simple client-facing documents and reports as directed within program guidelines.Time management protocols — follow established daily schedules and caseload checklists to ensure timely completion of assigned outreach tasks.
developing
Client case records including plans, progress notes, and required forms — manage independently using database and electronic health record software in accordance with program standards.Community health advice on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, and preventive care — deliver routinely to individuals and small groups with reduced oversight in clinic and field settings.High-risk populations such as low-income families and pregnant women — identify and engage through targeted outreach campaigns using established assessment tools and community data.Client follow-up contacts — coordinate across phone, in-person, and written channels to verify adherence to recommended care plans within a defined caseload.Health education documents and presentations — develop and distribute using desktop publishing and presentation software to inform members of targeted community groups.Referral pathways to health, social, and preventive services — navigate and facilitate for community members by applying working knowledge of local provider networks.Community meetings and stakeholder gatherings — attend and contribute observations about emerging community health needs to program planning discussions.Complex Problem Solving and critical thinking skills — apply when clients present multiple intersecting barriers to care, selecting from a range of program-approved intervention strategies.Spreadsheet and data entry tools — use to track outreach metrics, client contacts, and referral outcomes to support program monitoring and reporting requirements.Health behavior change conversations — facilitate using persuasion and instructional techniques to motivate clients toward recommended lifestyle modifications.
proficient
Comprehensive client records across a full caseload — maintain with precision and timeliness using integrated medical and database software, ensuring audit-ready documentation in a community health program.Evidence-based health education and counseling — deliver autonomously to diverse individuals and community groups on complex topics including chronic disease management, maternal health, and mental wellness.Targeted outreach strategies for minority, low-income, and other high-risk populations — design and execute independently, using systems analysis to identify gaps in community health engagement.Multi-modal client follow-up systems — manage across in-person, phone, and written communication channels to sustain client engagement and accountability throughout the care continuum.Non-routine referral cases involving multiple service needs — resolve through inductive and deductive reasoning, coordinating across health, behavioral, and social service providers.Community meetings, health fairs, and coalitions — lead and represent the organization as a credible subject matter resource, building trust and extracting actionable insights for program improvement.Learning strategies and instructional design principles — apply to create tailored health literacy materials and educational sessions suited to the reading level and cultural context of target audiences.Program monitoring data — analyze using spreadsheet and database tools to assess outreach effectiveness, identify underserved subgroups, and recommend service adjustments.Interprofessional care teams — coordinate with by synthesizing field observations and client data to inform clinical decision-making and care plan development.Emerging community health issues — assess proactively through active learning and systems analysis, translating findings into actionable recommendations for program leadership.
advanced
Community health worker program strategy — set organizational direction by defining outreach priorities, target population criteria, and performance benchmarks aligned with public health goals.Policy and advocacy initiatives — lead by translating frontline community health data and worker observations into recommendations for health equity programs at the organizational or governmental level.Staff and trainee development — design and deliver competency-based training curricula for emerging and developing community health workers, applying adult learning and instructional systems principles.Cross-sector partnerships with health systems, social services, and community-based organizations — cultivate and sustain to expand referral networks and coordinate population-level health interventions.Organizational data infrastructure — oversee by directing the implementation and quality assurance of electronic record systems, reporting dashboards, and outreach tracking platforms.Community health needs assessments — commission and lead at a population scale, integrating qualitative field intelligence with quantitative health data to drive strategic program investments.Grant proposals, program reports, and executive communications — author and present using advanced writing and presentation skills to secure funding and demonstrate program impact to stakeholders.Complex organizational challenges involving resource constraints, health disparities, and policy barriers — resolve through systems-level critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving with executive leadership.Quality improvement initiatives — direct by establishing monitoring frameworks, reviewing program outcome data, and leading continuous improvement cycles across the community health workforce.Organizational culture of empathy, sincerity, and community trust — model and institutionalize by embedding values-driven practices into hiring, supervision, and community engagement standards.
Also known as
181 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aerospace Medical Service (Air Force 4N0X1)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice (Air Force 4N031)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N031D)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031F)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N031H)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031B)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman (Air Force 4N071)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N071D)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071F)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071C)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper (Air Force 4N011)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N011G)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N011D)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011F)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N011H)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman (Air Force 4N051)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N051G)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N051D)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051F)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051C)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N051H)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Superintendent (Air Force 4N091)Apprise CounselorArmy Public Health Nurse (Army 66B)Behavioral Health AdvocateBehavioral Health Worker (BHW)Benefits Outreach SpecialistCertified Nurse Midwife (Army 66W)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42S1)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42S3)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42S4)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42SX)