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Occupation AtlasCommunity Health Workers

O*NET · 21-1094.00

Community Health Workers

Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Also called Behavioral Health Advocate · Behavioral Health Worker (BHW) · Benefits Outreach Specialist · BHW · Communicable Disease Liaison · Community Development Coordinator · Community Health Advisor · Community Health Advocate
34 more

Community Health Agent · Community Health Assistant · Community Health Coordinator · Community Health Counselor · Community Health Navigator · Community Health Outreach Worker · Community Health Program Coordinator · Community Health Program Rep · Community Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep) · Community Health Promoter · Community Health Representative · Community Health Specialist · Community HIV Education Specialist · Community HIV Education Specialist (Community Human Immunodeficiency Virus Education Specialist) · Community Liaison · Community Living Instructor · Community Navigator · Community Nutrition Advisor · Community Nutrition Educator · Community Outreach Specialist · Community Resource Coordinator · Community Resource Navigator · Field Based Community Health Worker · Health Advocate · Health Navigator · Health Outreach Worker · Health Program Specialist · Lay Health Advocate · Mental Health Advocate · Peer Health Promoter · Peer Navigator · Public Health Outreach Worker · Public Health Worker · Wellness Coach

Job Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation NeededHolland code SEI35 skills on file

Compare with another occupationCompare with Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Job Zone

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed

Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree plus several years of work-related experience, knowledge, or training.

Job Zone is O*NET's rating of how much education, experience and training an occupation typically needs — a property of the work, not of anyone doing it.

Occupational interest profile

SEISocial · Enterprising · Investigative — the three strongest interests, in order

  • S Social6.58
  • E Enterprising3.53
  • I Investigative3.49
  • C Conventional3.38
  • A Artistic2.22
  • R Realistic2.00

RIASEC (Holland) interests on O*NET's 0–7 scale: what the work draws on, not what any individual prefers. Hover a row for what each dimension means.

Education and experience

The education level respondents say the job requires, and the most common answer for experience and training.

  • Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree18%
  • Bachelor's Degree56%
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate13%
  • Master's Degree13%
Related work experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years (31%)
On-site or in-plant training
Up to and including 1 month (36%)
On-the-job training
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (32%)

Typically associated skills

All 35 O*NET skills, most important first. Importance (1–5) says how much a skill matters here; level (0–7) says how much of it the work calls for, with O*NET's example of a nearby level. Neither is a proficiency rating of a person.

  • Social Perceptiveness4.04.5Level 4 looks like: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group
  • Active Listeningbasic4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
  • Critical Thinkingbasic4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
  • Speakingbasic4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
  • Reading Comprehensionbasic3.94.0Level 4 looks like: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
  • Active Learningbasic3.93.9Level 4 looks like: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
  • Writingbasic3.84.0Level 4 looks like: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
  • Service Orientation3.83.9Level 4 looks like: Make flight reservations for customers using an online booking site
  • Monitoringbasic3.83.8Level 4 looks like: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
  • Coordination3.63.6Level 4 looks like: Work with others to put a new roof on a house
  • Complex Problem Solving3.63.5Level 4 looks like: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
  • Instructing3.63.4Level 4 looks like: Instruct a coworker in how to operate a software program
Show the other 23

Tasks

14 core · 15 supplemental

What people in this occupation do, as O*NET records it, core tasks first by importance (1–5).

  1. Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.4.4
  2. Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.4.2
  3. Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.4.2
  4. Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.4.0
  5. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.3.8
  6. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.3.8
  7. Refer community members to needed health services.3.8
  8. Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.3.7
  9. Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers.3.6
  10. Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.3.5
  11. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poisoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.3.4
  12. Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.3.3
Show the other 17
  1. Provide feedback to health service providers regarding improving service accessibility or acceptability.3.3
  2. Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.3.1
  3. Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.3.9
  4. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.3.6
  5. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to sanitation or hygiene, such as flossing or hand washing.3.6
  6. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to social or intellectual development, such as education, childcare, or problem solving.3.6
  7. Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs.3.6
  8. Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.3.6
  9. Teach appropriate parenting behaviors to individuals or families.3.5
  10. Assist families to apply for social services, including Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).3.5
  11. Advise clients or community groups to ensure parental understanding of the importance of childhood immunizations and how to access immunization services.3.4
  12. Teach classes or otherwise disseminate medical or dental health information to school groups, community groups, or targeted families or individuals, in a manner consistent with cultural norms.3.4
  13. Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.3.2
  14. Interpret, translate, or provide cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members.3.1
  15. Provide basic health services, such as first aid.3.1
  16. Collect information from individuals to compile vital statistics about the general health of community members.3.1
  17. Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.2.9

Knowledge

Bodies of knowledge the work draws on.

  • Customer and Personal Service4.35.7
  • English Language4.14.2Level 4 looks like: Edit an article for a news website
  • Medicine and Dentistry3.83.7Level 4 looks like: Fill a tooth cavity
  • Psychology3.85.1Level 4 looks like: Understand the impact of alcohol on human responses
  • Therapy and Counseling3.75.0Level 4 looks like: Provide job counseling to the unemployed
  • Computers and Electronics3.63.9Level 4 looks like: Use a computer to format a document
  • Education and Training3.54.4Level 4 looks like: Lead a quality improvement seminar
  • Administration and Management3.13.1Level 4 looks like: Monitor progress of a project to ensure timely completion
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  • Public Safety and Security3.02.9
  • Administrative2.93.4Level 4 looks like: Type 30 words per minute
  • Law and Government2.92.7
  • Sociology and Anthropology2.84.0Level 4 looks like: Write an article about cultural differences
  • Communications and Media2.73.1Level 4 looks like: Host a music radio show
  • Biology2.62.5Level 1 looks like: Feed domestic animals
  • Personnel and Human Resources2.62.7
  • Transportation2.52.3Level 1 looks like: Ride a train to work
  • Mathematics2.42.9
  • Sales and Marketing2.12.7
  • Chemistry2.02.0Level 1 looks like: Use a common household bug spray
  • Telecommunications1.91.2Level 1 looks like: Send an email
  • Foreign Language1.81.0Level 1 looks like: Say "please" and "thank you" in a foreign language
  • Philosophy and Theology1.82.0Level 1 looks like: Watch a TV show on family values
  • Economics and Accounting1.71.1Level 1 looks like: Answer billing questions from credit card customers
  • Engineering and Technology1.71.1Level 1 looks like: Install a door lock
  • Geography1.71.4Level 1 looks like: Know the capital of the United States
  • Production and Processing1.71.2Level 1 looks like: Put a computer back into its packing materials
  • Mechanical1.51.2Level 1 looks like: Replace the filters in a furnace
  • Food Production1.4—
  • History and Archeology1.30.7Level 1 looks like: Take a class in US history
  • Design1.2—
  • Fine Arts1.2—
  • Physics1.2—
  • Building and Construction1.1—

Abilities

Enduring capacities the work calls for.

  • Oral Comprehension4.34.0Level 4 looks like: Understand a coach's oral instructions for a sport
  • Oral Expression4.14.0Level 4 looks like: Give instructions to a lost motorist
  • Problem Sensitivity4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Notice from a subtle difference in a client's mood that something is bothering them
  • Speech Clarity4.03.9Level 4 looks like: Make stadium-wide announcements during a sporting event
  • Speech Recognition4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Identify a former customer's voice over the phone
  • Written Comprehension4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Understand an apartment lease
  • Written Expression3.93.9Level 4 looks like: Write a job recommendation for a subordinate
  • Deductive Reasoning3.83.9
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  • Near Vision3.63.6
  • Inductive Reasoning3.43.8Level 4 looks like: Determine the prime suspect based on crime scene evidence
  • Fluency of Ideas3.13.4Level 4 looks like: Think of as many ideas as possible for the name of a new company
  • Category Flexibility3.03.0Level 3 looks like: Classify flowers according to size, color, and smell
  • Information Ordering3.03.0Level 2 looks like: Follow the correct steps to make change
  • Originality3.03.1Level 4 looks like: Redesign job tasks to be interesting for employees
  • Far Vision2.92.9Level 2 looks like: Read a roadside billboard
  • Selective Attention2.92.9Level 2 looks like: Answer a business call with coworkers talking nearby
  • Time Sharing2.92.9Level 3 looks like: Watch street signs while driving at 30 miles an hour
  • Memorization2.82.6
  • Flexibility of Closure2.62.9Level 2 looks like: Detect that your phone is ringing while at a concert
  • Speed of Closure2.62.4Level 3 looks like: Recognize a song after hearing only the first few notes
  • Visualization2.42.3Level 2 looks like: Imagine how to place paper in a printer so that the letterhead comes out on top
  • Finger Dexterity2.32.1Level 2 looks like: Put coins in a parking meter
  • Perceptual Speed2.32.3Level 2 looks like: Sort mail according to ZIP codes with no time pressure
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness2.12.0Level 2 looks like: Light a candle
  • Auditory Attention2.11.5Level 2 looks like: Listen to a lecture while people nearby are talking
  • Control Precision2.11.8Level 2 looks like: Adjust a room light with a dimmer switch
  • Mathematical Reasoning2.12.4Level 1 looks like: Determine how much 20 oranges will cost when they are priced at 5 for 4 dollars
  • Trunk Strength2.11.9Level 2 looks like: Sit up in an office chair
  • Number Facility2.02.1Level 3 looks like: Calculate a discounted price
  • Depth Perception1.91.8Level 2 looks like: Merge a car into traffic on a city street
  • Hearing Sensitivity1.91.8Level 2 looks like: Notice a doorbell ringing
  • Multilimb Coordination1.91.6Level 2 looks like: Row a boat
  • Peripheral Vision1.91.4Level 2 looks like: Keep in step while marching in a band
  • Rate Control1.91.4Level 1 looks like: Ride a bicycle alongside a jogger
  • Reaction Time1.91.6Level 2 looks like: Start to slow down the car when a traffic light turns yellow
  • Response Orientation1.91.5Level 2 looks like: When a doorbell and phone ring at the same time, quickly select which to answer first
  • Spatial Orientation1.91.0Level 2 looks like: Use the floor plan to locate a store in a mall
  • Visual Color Discrimination1.91.9Level 1 looks like: Separate laundry into colors and whites
  • Manual Dexterity1.81.6Level 1 looks like: Screw a light bulb into a light socket
  • Wrist-Finger Speed1.81.0Level 2 looks like: Use a screwdriver to twist in a screw
  • Night Vision1.61.0Level 2 looks like: Read street signs at dusk (just after sunset)
  • Glare Sensitivity1.50.8
  • Gross Body Coordination1.50.9
  • Sound Localization1.50.5
  • Extent Flexibility1.40.5
  • Stamina1.40.6Level 1 looks like: Walk 1/4 mile
  • Static Strength1.40.8Level 1 looks like: Push an empty shopping cart
  • Gross Body Equilibrium1.3—
  • Speed of Limb Movement1.3—
  • Dynamic Strength1.1—
  • Dynamic Flexibility1.0—
  • Explosive Strength1.0—

Work activities

Kinds of activity the work is made of.

  • Documenting/Recording Information4.74.2Level 4 looks like: Document the results of a crime scene investigation
  • Getting Information4.74.4Level 4 looks like: Review a budget
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public4.54.8Level 4 looks like: Sell shoes in a crowded shoe store
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.34.7Level 4 looks like: Select the location for a major retail store
  • Working with Computers4.33.9Level 4 looks like: Write software for keeping track of parts in inventory
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People4.14.5Level 4 looks like: Determine the value of property lost in a fire
  • Assisting and Caring for Others4.04.6Level 4 looks like: Help a medical patient find in-home assistance or healthcare
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.05.2Level 4 looks like: Report the results of a sales meeting to a supervisor
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  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.05.2Level 4 looks like: Judge the suitability of food products for an event
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization3.94.2Level 4 looks like: Present information to potential clients about available services
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings3.94.8Level 4 looks like: Test electrical circuits
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work3.94.4Level 4 looks like: Plan and adjust a personal to-do list according to changing demands
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships3.84.8Level 4 looks like: Maintain good working relationships with almost all coworkers and clients
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge3.84.3Level 4 looks like: Keep current on changes in maintenance procedures for repairing sports cars
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards3.64.0Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a complicated insurance claim for compliance with policy terms
  • Thinking Creatively3.64.2Level 4 looks like: Adapt popular music for a high school marching band
  • Analyzing Data or Information3.43.5Level 4 looks like: Determine the interest cost to finance a new building
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others3.43.5Level 4 looks like: Interpret how foreign tax laws apply to U.S. exports
  • Processing Information3.43.7Level 4 looks like: Calculate the adjustments for insurance claims
  • Developing and Building Teams3.33.2Level 4 looks like: Lead an assembly team in an automobile plant
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others3.33.4Level 4 looks like: Recommend a new software package to increase operational efficiency
  • Training and Teaching Others3.33.8Level 4 looks like: Teach a social sciences course to high school students
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others3.23.5Level 4 looks like: Organize the cleanup crew after a major sporting event
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies3.13.3Level 4 looks like: Develop the plan to complete the merger of two organizations over a 3-year period
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others3.13.7Level 4 looks like: Get two subordinates to agree about vacation schedules
  • Coaching and Developing Others3.03.5Level 4 looks like: Provide on-the-job training for administrative workers
  • Scheduling Work and Activities3.03.7Level 4 looks like: Prepare the work schedule for salesclerks in a large retail store
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information2.92.4Level 1 looks like: Estimate the size of household furniture to be shipped
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment2.51.2Level 1 looks like: Drive a car
  • Performing Administrative Activities2.52.2Level 1 looks like: Complete routine paperwork
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials2.31.8Level 1 looks like: Check that doors to building are locked
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources2.22.2Level 1 looks like: Work as a server responsible for keeping track of utensils
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates2.11.8Level 1 looks like: Work occasionally as a backup supervisor
  • Performing General Physical Activities2.01.9Level 1 looks like: Walk between workstations in a small office
  • Selling or Influencing Others1.91.7Level 1 looks like: Convince a coworker to assist with an assignment
  • Handling and Moving Objects1.81.6Level 1 looks like: Change settings on copy machines
  • Controlling Machines and Processes1.4—
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment1.4—
  • Staffing Organizational Units1.4—
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment1.1—
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment1.0—

Work context

The conditions most characteristic of the work, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale.

  • Contact With Others5.0
  • E-Mail5.0
  • Telephone Conversations5.0
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.8
  • Deal With External Customers or the Public in General4.7
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.5
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.4
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team4.4
  • Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities4.0
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.0

Technology

14 tools

Software used in this work. In demand: among the tools job postings for this occupation name most. Hot: often named in job postings across the economy.

In demand (4)

  • Microsoft Excelhot
  • Microsoft Office softwarehot
  • Microsoft Outlookhot
  • Microsoft Wordhot

Hot (5; 4 more marked hot above)

  • Apple macOS
  • Google Workspace software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Zoom
Other tools (5)
  • Client databases
  • Electronic health record EHR software
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Web browser software

Related occupations

O*NET's own list of the occupations most related to this one, closest first.

  1. Health Education Specialists
  2. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
  3. Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  4. Rehabilitation Counselors
  5. Healthcare Social Workers
  6. Mental Health Counselors
  7. Social and Human Service Assistants
  8. Patient Representatives
  9. Social and Community Service Managers
  10. Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

ESCO equivalents

From the official ESCO–O*NET crosswalk, strongest match first. A broader occupation takes in this one; a narrower one is a part of it.

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. ESCO occupations and skills are from the European Commission's ESCO classification, and the occupation crosswalk is the official ESCO–O*NET mapping by the ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA. This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission. BlissPoint Analytics has modified all or some of this information: skill, task and descriptor ratings are rounded to one decimal, and ESCO occupations show Job Zone and interests copied from a crosswalked O*NET occupation. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.