Community Health Worker
Spring 2023
Spring 2023 Tuition Waived Statewide Cohort
In order to participate, please follow these steps for consideration in the CHW Program. Following these steps does not guarantee enrollment. However, they are all required for acceptance. Be sure to read all instructions carefully.
- Apply to Kapiʻolani Community College for Spring 2023 at your earliest convenience, the CHW program’s internal deadline is December 1st. Be sure to select “Community Health Worker” as your major.
- AFTER you have been ACCEPTED to Kapi‘olani CC fill out this google form.
- Attend a CHW info session via Zoom (Meeting ID: 941 2554 0902). You are welcome to attend an info session prior to completing steps 1 & 2.
Upcoming dates are below:
- Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 12 PM
- Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 5:30 PM
- Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 9:30 AM
Program Overview
The Community Health Worker Program prepares students to function as outreach community health workers to link disadvantaged populations with existing healthcare resources. This is carried out by providing basic health screening services, identifying needs, providing information, making referrals to appropriate health care providers or agencies, and following up on referrals. Occupational training will prepare students for becoming a Community Health Worker (CHW). As such, they will provide people in need with health education, care coordination, help to facilitate access to services and work with clients to take steps to improve the quality of their health and their lives. Other job titles for CHWs include outreach worker, patient navigator, case worker, eligibility worker, and similar.
Contact Information
- Recruitment Facilitator: Hilary Hacker, hackerh@hawaii.edu
- Counselors/Advisors: Health Careers Counseling Center
Degree & Certificates
Certificate of Competence – Community Health Worker (16 credits)
The Certificate of Competence in Community Health Worker program prepares students to function as outreach community healthcare workers to link disadvantaged families with existing healthcare resources. This is carried out by providing basic health screening services, identifying needs, providing information, making referrals to appropriate health care providers or agencies, and following up on referrals. Currently limited to special enrollment.
Program Information
Program Accreditation
This program is externally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), and has been awarded the maximum accreditation of 8 years as of 2019.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
mail@jrcert.org
Potential Careers and Employers
- Career Opportunities: Employment areas as a Community Health Worker include case manager/caseworker, community health advocate, community health outreach worker, community health worker, community outreach worker, community liaison, community organizer, enrollment specialist, health ambassador, health educator, health worker, lay health advisor, public health aide, patient navigator, peer counselor, peer educator, and more.
- Potential Employers: Hawai‘i State Department of Health, the Native Hawaiian Healthcare System, ‘Ohana Health Plan, The Queen’s Medical Center, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Waimānalo Health Center, Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Ko’olauloa Health Center, Hawai‘i State Department of Human Services, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Kula No Na Po’e Hawai‘i and Kalihi Pālama Health Center.
FAQs
Should I consider Community Health Worker as a career?
Yes, if you enjoy helping people, being part of a health care or social services team, and have an interest in hands-on client/patient. For more information go to Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Type “Community Health Worker” in the search box.
Is the program accredited?
Currently, there is no accrediting body for Community Health Worker, although progress toward creating a national accrediting body is being made
Is certification available?
There is no certification for Community Health Worker issued by the State of Hawai‘i. The program issues a Certificate of Competence from Kapi’olani Community College.
Do I need to maintain a certain grade and grade point average in these courses?
Yes. For a CO, you must earn:
- A grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (“C” average) or higher for all required courses and
- A grade of “C” or better in all required courses
What were the requirements in previous years?
For requirements in past years, contact a program counselor or view the previous online catalogs.
When can I enter the program?
You can enter the program in semesters when CHW 100 is offered. Cohorts may be application based only dependent on funding and space availability. Please contact the health sciences advisors for more information if you are interested in applying to the program.
Are there any special entry requirements?
No. There are no special entry requirements
CHW Forms & Documents
- CHW Program Curriculum (pdf)