Community Health Worker Training Program

This program is offered by OCHIN Workforce Development.

Training Program Description

This is a grant-funded training program,
* not
• an employment opportunity. Employment is not guaranteed at the completion of the program. The program trains individuals to become Community Health Workers (CHWs), serving as a bridge between healthcare, social services, and community members in need. Upon completion, participants receive credit hours to apply for CHW licensure in Oregon. The program combines online classroom training with on-site, hands-on internship/externship training.

Selection for participation is
* not
• guaranteed and is subject to HRSA enrollment guidelines.

Training Program Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must NOT have prior professional or volunteer experience in healthcare/community health work (no healthcare licenses/certifications).

• Must live within 30-45 minutes of the Service Site location in Beaverton, OR.

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident/Green Card holder.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is beneficial.

• Must pass a national criminal background check.

• Temporary training program lasting approximately 550 hours.

• Approximately 150 hours of didactic learning and 400 hours of on-site internship.

• Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM participation is required for the duration of the program.

• Total Stipend: $7,500, distributed over approximately 16 weeks, paid semi-monthly.

Training Program Covers

• Play a pivotal role in advancing health equity and strengthening the circle of community care.

• Learn to advocate on behalf of patients and their families—facilitating timely access to key community resources including information, insurance, food, housing, and more.

• Special emphasis on working in community-based settings—including communication barriers; health model characteristics; and impact of culture and socioeconomic status on health.

CHW Training Program Description:

Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital and unique role in linking diverse and underserved populations to health and social service systems. Community Health Workers will primarily be working out in the community with specific target populations. CHW’s will work closely with medical providers, primary care teams, and other agencies to improve patient care and outcomes. Community health workers (CHWs) have a close understanding of the community they serve.

This trusting relationship enables them to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Community health workers also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

The CHW duties include, but are not limited to:

• Establish trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing support, encouragement, and feedback.

• Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.

• Convey the purposes and services of a program to the user population and the impact the program or service would have.

• Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.

• May need to visit patients in their homes to assess the patient, their living conditions, and meet with family members or caretakers.

• Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.

• Advocate for patient and act as a liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies (I.e., schools, hospitals, support groups, etc.).

• Help patients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.

• Assist patients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use…