Community Health Worker
Community Health WorkerCoursesLinks of InterestFaculty & StaffApply Now
About the Program
This program prepares students to work for public health, non-profit and commercial health maintenance companies or organizations affiliated with the management of health services. Emphasis is on health education, health promotion and community outreach. Studies, in a wide range of health topics, include environmental health, health care delivery systems, nutrition, medical terminology, ethics, human anatomy and psychology. Coursework in this program is intended to develop and enhance the skills of community health advisors, social and human service assistants, and other people interested in working in the field of social work, community health and advocacy.
What will I learn?The program will train students to develop positive relationships with individuals who need assistance and support in developing healthy behaviors, utilizing health/social resources, and gaining educational support to prevent or alleviate the effects of chronic disease. |
What can I do with this course of study?This program prepares students to work in public health, private health care delivery systems, community-based social service agencies, and healthcare insurance organizations. Community Health Workers provide services to increase wellness and improve access to health services through outreach activities to target populations. |
What is special about this program?
The students are exposed and connected with local community resources to help develop their networking capacity to enhance their advocacy skills.
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The Community Health Worker program is designed to train students on how to form relationships with vulnerable populations in order to influence their behaviors toward greater wellness and health.
Nearly 85% of our graduates are finding jobs in San Antonio as Human Service Worker, Case Management Aide, Social Work Assistant, Community Support Worker, Mental Health Aide, Community Outreach Worker, Patient Navigator, and Life Skills Counselor.
Job Outlook
This program prepares students to work in public health, private health care delivery systems, community-based social service agencies, and health care insurance organizations. Community Health Workers provide services to increase wellness and improve access to health services through outreach activities to target populations. The program will train students to develop positive relationships with individuals who need assistance and support in developing healthy behaviors, utilizing health resources, and gaining educational support to prevent or alleviate the effects of chronic disease.
Occupational profiles indicate 26% growth for Community and Social Service Specialists by the year 2022 in the Alamo Region. The estimated average hourly wage in 2017 was $17.41 in the San Antonio-New Braunfels region. (source: Texas Workforce Commission)*Note: Variations should be expected.
Careers Available:
The following titles are examples of careers associated with this program but not limited to:
- Community Health Worker
- Human Service Worker
- Case Management Aide
- Social Work Assistant
- Community Support Worker
- Mental Health Aide
- Community Outreach Worker
- Patient Navigator
- Life Skills Counselor
Available Courses:
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CHLT 1301 - Introduction to Community Health CHLT 1301 - Introduction to Community Health CHLT 1340 - Community Health Advocacy CHLT 1340 - Community Health Advocacy CHLT 1305 - Community Nutrition CHLT 1305 - Community Nutrition CHLT 1342 - Community Health Field Methods CHLT 1302 - Wellness and Health Promotion CHLT 1302 - Wellness and Health Promotion CHLT 1342 - Community Health Field Methods CHLT 2260 - Clinical - Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling ENGL 1301 - Composition I ENGL 1302 - Composition II |
MATH 1442 - Elementary Statistical Methods or MATH 1314 - College Algebra PSYC 2301 - General Psychology SOCI 1301 - Introductory Sociology BIOL 2401 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I HIST 1301 - United States History I PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking SOCI 1306 - Social Problems BIOL 2402 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II SPAN 1411 - Elementary Spanish CHLT 2260 - Clinical - Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling SPAN 1412 - Elementary Spanish II |
NOTE: EDUC 1300 is not required for the AAS in Community Health
Links of Interest
San Antonio Community Health Workers Association (SACHWA)
About the Program Coordinator: Dr. Fernando Martinez
Dr. Martinez is a Professor and the Coordinator of the Community Health Worker Program at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas. He has an extensive background in hospital administration, community health worker programs and education.
Dr. Martinez was an administrator at Christus Santa Rosa Health Care where he designed and implemented a community wellness and outreach program consisting of a mobile health clinic, neighborhood health promoters, community health nurse educators, lay case workers, a pediatric primary care clinic, inner-city physician recruitment, patient transportation, geriatric resource center, and a patient information system. This was the first hospital-based community outreach program in San Antonio.
Education
Dr. Martinez has earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of New Mexico, Master of Science in Environmental Management, University of San Antonio, Master of Healthcare Administration, Baylor University and Ph.D., in Education Leadership, University of Texas, Austin
Faculty and Staff
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Contact Us |
Emily Coppin Location: Phone: |
Marisa Ramirez Location: Phone: |
John Grillo Location: Phone: |
Dr. Fernando Martinez, Ph.D Community Health Worker Program Coordinator Location: Phone: |
Guadalupe Cornejo Location: Phone: |