Community health worker
Also known as: community health assistant, community support worker, community carer, community healthcare worker, community healthcare support worker, community first responder
About this occupation
Community health workers provide advice and information about various health subjects to the community. They can assist with pre- and post-natal care, give nutritional advice and help individuals stop smoking. Community health workers develop health and prevention programmes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- relate empathetically
- assess social service users' situation
- build community relations
- legal requirements in the social sector
- review social service plan
- build helping relationship with social service users
- deliver social services in diverse cultural communities
- communicate with social service users
- community education
- apply quality standards in social services
- apply decision making within social work
- provide social counselling
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Community Health Workers (O*NET 21-1094.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.
- Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Enterprising, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning
US median pay: US$51,850 a year (2025), 61,660 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Health Education Specialists
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Patient Representatives
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Fitness and Wellness Coordinators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.