The Role of the Community Health Worker: An Educational Offering

Reducing health disparities among underserved and minority populations are an ongoing challenge for the United States’ health care system. The Affordable Care Act proposes the addition of a Community Health Worker (CHW) to the health care workforce to serve as a liaison between community and health services as a possible solution to improve quality and health outcomes in underserved populations. The newly formed health care team created in collaboration with the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties will welcome the CHW as a new team member to help improve the care and coordination of services for New Americans. The purpose of this project is to educate a newly formed interprofessional health team on the role and utilization of the community health worker (CHW). The educational module was provided to all members of the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) care team and the newly trained CHWs. The knowledge gained by participating in the educational offering is reflected by pre and post test score improvement in six out of seven questions. This educational module serves as the first structured and detailed program to introduce the role to facilitate integration of the CHW onto the VNA’s care team