Community Health Worker
CHW Application & Admissions
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 the upcoming semester at your earliest convenience. The CHW program has internal campus deadlines, please check with the recruitment facilitator. 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, register here. You are welcome to attend an info session prior to completing steps 1 & 2.
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 Community Health Workers (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: Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, the Native Hawaiian Healthcare System, ‘Ohana Health Plan, The Queen’s Medical Center, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Waimānalo Health Center, Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Ko’olauloa Health Center, Hawaiʻi State Department of Human Services, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Kula No Na Poʻe Hawaiʻi 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
Health Careers Info Session
Program Information sessions are held monthly and provide potential applicants with program details and requirements, application procedures, and career outlook. Attending an information session is recommended before you start your academic journey. Attendance of a program information session within one year of the application submission is mandatory when applying to a Health Science and EMS program.
Health Careers Counseling Center
Support for Health Career Pathways
Learn about admission requirements and criteria, program curriculum, program cost, financial aid, application for licensure/certificates, and transfer to baccalaureate programs.
Health Career Counselors/Advisors
hlthsci@hawaii.edu | (808) 734-9224, Kauila 106
STAR Balance Virtual Kiosk Hours
Mondays through Thursdays, excluding holidays
9:00-11:30am & 1:00-3:00pm
STAR Balance Kiosk is available for UH system students. For information about our health programs, attend a program information session. Email kapstart@hawaii.edu for assistance with getting started at Kapiʻolani CC.
CHW Forms & Documents
- CHW Program Curriculum (pdf)