Community Health Worker Certificate

CONTACT

Patti Mantia, 413.552.2449, pmantia@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate Program includes education in the core competencies recognized and authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Board of Certification. CHWs perform activities to promote, support, and protect the health of individuals, families, and communities–including client advocacy, health education, and health care system navigation. With some work experience built into the curriculum, students will need additional work hours prior to or after completion of the Certificate program in order to qualify for state certification.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

explain and apply each of the core competencies related to CHW Training/Practice or related work
demonstrate an understanding of how one’s own culture affects health behavior
identify basic professional standards of practice required for CHW or related work
explain the role of group dynamics, motivational interviewing, and other facilitation skills in the context of a CHW or related role
identify the most pressing population-based health conditions facing communities and how CHWs interact with communities to address these
educate individuals, families, and communities regarding specific health topics
demonstrate basic knowledge of keyboarding and word processing
obtain the core educational components required to apply for State Certification as a CHW

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 25 CREDITS

BUS 112 - Professional Etiquette Credit(s): 1
BUS 115 - Computer Applications Credit(s): 3
HSV 120(B) - Introduction to Addiction Studies Credit(s): 3
or
HSV 141 - Foundations of Trauma and Trauma Informed Care/Services Credit(s): 3
or
HSV 212(B) - Group Dynamics and Practice Credit(s): 3
HTH 101 - Introduction to Health Careers Credit(s): 3
HTH 102(B) - Introduction to Public Health Credit(s): 3
HTH 124 - Core Competencies & Health Topics for CHW’s Credit(s): 6
HTH 209 - Practicum for CHWs Credit(s): 3
PSY 110(B) - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
or
SOC 110(B) - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

TOTAL: 25 CREDITS

NOTES

Students must be ENG 101 eligible in order to complete this certificate

More information on CHWs as a career path can be found at: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of CHWs and at: MA Board of Certification of CHWs

**** Criminal Offense Record Act (CORI), and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI)****

Foundations of Health students enrolled in HTH 209 , or applying for Selective Programs, are required to complete a CORI/SORI background check prior to registering for classes or applying to programs, pursuant to the Criminal Record Information Act, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Section 172-178, and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 18a, Section 1, et seq., and regulations promulgated pursuant to such statues. A positive finding may prevent students from successfully completing the HTH 209 course, applying for Selective Programs, or graduating with a Foundations of Health degree due to clinical site requirements. The College policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

There is a SEPARATE CORI/SORI application you must complete online if you have lived outside the state of Massachusetts in the past 10 years; failure to disclose all relvant information may result in an inability to complete the HTH 209 course. Out of state CORI/SORI fees vary. If you have had legal issues in the past or have any legal affairs pending, you must contact Amy Brandt, Dean of Health Sciences, to set up a meeting.

Depending on course selection, 80% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

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