Help individuals in the community overcome barriers and receive access to the healthcare and social services they need by completing Normandale’s Community Health Worker Navigator (CHWN) Pathway program.
This free community health worker training program is designed to help you get started in a rewarding career in healthcare. Sometimes referred to as community health representatives, public health aides or community advisors, community health workers are frontline public health professionals with a strong understanding of the communities they serve.
As a CHWN, you will make a difference in the lives of others—helping individuals and families more effectively navigate healthcare systems and secure vital services. This work includes everything from advocacy and outreach to navigation, health education and social support. In short: You’ll be invaluable in helping those in the community lead healthy, productive lives.
Improving Individuals and Communities - This is a career whereby you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of people in your own community. You will be advocating for underserved individuals to receive services and resources to address their important health needs and improve their quality of life.
Variety is part of the job - No two days are the same. Every day will provide a different set of challenges to keep your work life interesting. It provides the opportunity to interact with a broad range of people, learning new skills every day.
Career Progression – Public health careers are actively involved with improving the health of entire populations; and are recession proof. As you begin your career as a CHW you’ll enjoy work that cannot be replaced by technology. You’ll learn and grow and attain skills that address heath disparities and will have ample opportunities to advance your knowledge, experiences and career path.
Meet lots of new people - You’ll work as part of a close-knit team and will interact with individuals, community members, health providers and others to problem solve and provide needed resources for improved life enhancing outcomes.
Self-Fulfillment - You'll have great satisfaction in life knowing that you wake up every day working to improve the lives of those around you.
Culture and Diversity - The CHW role opens doors to working with and learning about diverse cultures. Expand your awareness and knowledge and learn from client, peers and healthcare partners.
A successful healthcare worker should know how to handle themselves in every situation, with a well-rounded skillset so they can adapt to the many circumstances and stakeholders they will encounter doing community health work.
Professionalism - Health care is delivered by teams of professionals who come together to support solutions for improved healthcare outcomes for individuals and families. Recognizing your place on the team and working towards excellent outcomes in a respectful, openminded manner is a necessity.
Respectfulness –Always have an attitude of respect for all members of the care team as everyone has a role to play in creating healthcare equity. Make certain you are listening to understand.
Resourcefulness - There’s not always a clear answer to the issues community health workers help to overcome. Sometimes you’ll have to get creative to splice together the right resources to help an individual gain access to the care that will improve their lives.
Flexibility - It’s important to have a solid understanding of all of the possible options available and be able to navigate the complex systems of healthcare, government and social services. What works for one client, might not be repeatable for the next.
Relationship building - If you’re someone who values connections with others and excels at nurturing those relationships over time, you will thrive as a community health worker.
Empathy – You might have experienced some of the same circumstances you find your clients in and that allows you to fully understand their viewpoints and positions. Successful CHW’s have a genuine compassion for the individuals and families they are serving. Persistence – Advocating for health needs or assisting individuals with social service needs is not always glamorous work. It takes time, stamina and a determined work ethic to keep going when the going gets slow or tough.
Trustworthiness – You need to be honest, approachable and offer complete confidentiality in order to be entrusted with sensitive healthcare information. Trust is a foundational characteristic and need in healthcare work.
Observation skills - Improving observation skills allows you to “listen” with more than just your ears in order to make the best recommendations and decisions. It also enhances your ability to interact with your clients and to respond in the most appropriate ways.
Confidentiality - Confidentiality is a central part of the code of ethics for CHWs and is required by law and employers. Additionally, clients will be more likely to cooperate or participate in their care if they can trust that anything they share with you will be kept private.
9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431
Hours: M-Th 8am - 5pm F 8am - 3pm
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