About the CHW Training
The Montana Community Health Worker (CHW) Fundamentals training provides the knowledge and skills necessary to become a Community Health Worker. The instructor-guided curriculum takes approximately eight weeks (85 hours) to complete and consists of six online Learning Modules and a 25-hour on-the-job Supervised Experience taken at the completion of the six Modules. Each Module contains written content, videos, application activities, case studies and reflective journaling. An individual will gain skills in the following areas: professional skills & conduct; communication; self-care; interpersonal relationships; outreach, navigation & coordination; organization; advocacy; capacity building & teaching. The CHW training is facilitated by an instructor and provides a certificate upon completion. The Community Health Worker Fundamentals Overview, includes a summary of course modules and learning outcomes.
Employer Information
An employer must formally sponsor a trainee prior to the start of the training. It is vital that the employer has the resources necessary for the trainee to meet the Supervised Experience required activities. The CHW “Manual for Supervised Experience” is available for sponsoring Facilities/Agencies, Instructors, and Preceptors. The host facility will pay the participant’s training cost upfront and then would be reimbursed upon the participant’s completion of the training.
Prerequisites
- A high school diploma or GED is preferred.
- All trainees must be sponsored by an employer, as 25 hours of supervised experience are required to complete the training.
- If needed, completion of a Computer Literacy Assessment & Training.
- Employers may have additional requirements (talk to your employer).
Cost
The cost of the training is $1,500.
Summary of Course Modules
The following are the six online Learning Modules.
- Module 1: Community Health Worker: Role and Responsibilities
- Module 2: Communication and Collaboration: Individuals, Groups, and Communities
- Module 3: Delivering Safe Quality Healthcare: Resources, Services, and Care
- Module 4: Promoting Healthy Communities: Advocacy, Capacity Building, and Teaching
- Module 5: Review of Anatomy & Physiology, Common Health Conditions
- Module 6: A 25-hour CHW Fundamentals Agency/Facility Supervised Experience
Modules 1-5 are approximately 60 hours of online training. Module 6 (Supervised Experience) is 25 hours, for a grand total of 85 hours of training. Modules 1-5 must be successfully completed prior to taking Module 6, Supervised Skills Experience taken at an Agency/Facility.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of Modules 1-5 and Module 6 (the 25-hour supervised experience) it
is expected
that students will demonstrate the CHW Fundamentals Learning Outcomes.
These include the following:
- Display positive behaviors and attitudes needed to effectively succeed in the role
and fulfill the
responsibilities of a CHW, engage in self-care, and maintain personal and client safety. - Integrate a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, human development, aging, and
acute and
chronic illness and diseases to plan, monitor, and determine client needs and resources for care. - Incorporate legal requirements and ethical guidelines into all responsibilities particularly
when
observing, reporting, and documenting. - Exhibit effective communication and coaching skills, and the ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Recognize and respect the values and needs of the cultures and practices of the populations
and
communities served. - Describe how healthcare and public/community health systems are structured, function,
the types
of care they deliver, and the current technologies used. - Demonstrate the skills needed to effectively coordinate and manage services and provide
safe
quality care. - Use appropriate decision making, evaluation, organization, navigation, and coordination
skills to
ensure effective and timely delivery of resources, services, and care. - Engage in advocacy and social support actions to promote client and community health needs.
- Implement community/individual education programs, based on needs and strengths, to
build
capacity, support health, and promote wellness.
