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PATHWAYs
CAREERS
MY ACCOUNT
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PLAN YOUR PATH
This section lays out various pathways you can take to launch your healthcare career. Explore the field of allied health, college options, where certifications fit in, and how to get started while still in high school.
LEARN ABOUT
CAREERS
In the Careers section, delve into different healthcare roles that may pique your interest. Learn more about the roles of a dietitian, nutritionist, community health professional, and medical IT administrator.
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Allied Healthcare Careers
Community Health Worker
- Do you like to teach people about behaviors that promote wellness?
- Do you like helping people and advocating for others?
- Do you want to be part of a social movement that improves the welfare of your community?
Consider a career as a Community Health Worker or Health Education specialist
What do Community Health Workers do?
The role of a Community Health Worker is varied. Depending where you work your responsibilities can be to:
- Help people find health services and navigate the healthcare system
- Educate people about the availability of healthcare services, such as cancer screenings or vaccinations
- Provide basic health services such as first aid, diabetic checks, height & weight measurements, and make referrals
Provide informal counseling and social support - Discuss health concerns with community members, and address barriers to healthcare access - for example, arranging transportation for the elderly
- Collect data about the health needs of the community, make recommendations, and advocate for their needs
Here are some examples of how Community Health Workers educate and advocate for their community:
Community Health Workers - Futuro Health
Community Health Worker Day
Community Health Workers speak about the jobs"
Henry Bratton, Case Manager, Reentry Services
Try it Out Now
Here’s an example of work you may do as a Community Health worker.
- The scenario: Remember back in 2021 when we were all experiencing the trauma of Covid-19? The new vaccines were being released and people were encouraged to get vaccinated as a way to prevent getting sick and stopping the spread of the disease. Community Health Workers were often on the front lines as an essential part of the effort to encourage vaccines.
- If you were a Community Health Worker employed by a community health organization, your job is to promote the vaccine in a respectful way, especially to people who are scared. How would you approach this?
Community Health Worker (CHW): Hello, [Individual's Name]. I hope you're doing well. I wanted to talk to you about the importance of vaccines and how they can protect you and your loved ones. Are you open to discussing this topic?
Individual: Yes, I'm willing to listen.
CHW: Great, thank you. Vaccines are an essential part of preventive healthcare. They work by training your body's immune system to recognize and fight off specific diseases. They have been proven to be safe and effective in preventing various illnesses.
Individual: I've heard some concerns about vaccine side effects. Are they really safe?
CHW: —------- How do you respond? How will you encourage this person to research and make their own decision?
Individual: Yes, I'm willing to listen.
CHW: Great, thank you. Vaccines are an essential part of preventive healthcare. They work by training your body's immune system to recognize and fight off specific diseases. They have been proven to be safe and effective in preventing various illnesses.
Individual: I've heard some concerns about vaccine side effects. Are they really safe?
CHW: —------- How do you respond? How will you encourage this person to research and make their own decision?
Here’s another example of work you may be asked to do as a Community Health Worker.
You may be asked to be part of a campaign that encourages 5 and 6 year olds to eat healthy foods. Part of the campaign is a series of engaging posters in a community kitchen. Design a poster that promotes healthy food consumption and teaches nutrition to 5 and 6 year old children. Make sure it is visual and easy to understand because the children may not be reading well yet, or they may not speak English.
Would you enjoy these kinds of tasks? What about this profession interests you?
The Job Outlook
There are over 100,000 Community Health Workers and Health Education Specialists. Overall employment of health education specialists and community health workers is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Community Health Workers can be employed by:
Career Pathways
Community Health Workers often become Health Educators, which is a more specialized role. They can also take on more complex cases, developing special ways of working with high needs communities. For example, they may work with Alzeimer’s patients and their families, or assist people re-entering their community after being incarcerated. They may also grow into policy and advocacy roles at non-profit or social service organizations.
Some people who begin work as a Community Health Worker develop interest in continuing their education and training to become a Nurse or a Social Worker, and there are many transferable skills and experiences.
Fun fact: President Obama was a Community Health Care advocate!
The Skills you need to become a Community Health Worker
Take stock of the skills you already have to see if being a Community Health Worker is a good career choice for you:
- You are a good communicator: you can clearly convey information in written and spoken word
- You are a good problem-solver: you think creatively about improving the health of a community; you enjoy collecting data and evaluating it to make recommendations on behalf of the community; you have a can-do attitude and don’t let problems like budget and bureaucracy stand in the way of advocating for your community’s health and welfare
- You are a good teacher: you can explain and break down concepts; you are patient and a good listener
- You have good interpersonal skills: you enjoy interacting with people from all different cultures, backgrounds, and ages; cultural competence is a strength
Education & Training
Education
Aspiring professionals can begin their career with a high school diploma or an Associate degree from a Community College. Community Health Workers may also earn a bachelor’s degree in health education, majoring in community health education, school health education, public health education, etc.
Licenses & Certifications
Employers may require or prefer that health education specialists obtain certification, such as the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc or the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential offered by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education.
Training
Community health workers typically complete a brief period of on-the-job training. Training often covers communication, outreach, and information about the health topics of focus. For example, community health workers who work with Alzheimer’s patients may learn about how to communicate effectively with patients who have dementia.
Your Path to becoming a Community Health Worker
Are you ready to begin your journey toward becoming a Nutritionist? There are lots of pathways available to you - right here in Brooklyn - or beyond.
2-year College Pathway
Students who choose to begin their degree at a 2-year college tend to start by majoring in Community Health. A Liberal Arts education does not prepare you for one specific job but for many jobs you may have throughout your life. As a community college student, you have an opportunity to learn skills like interpersonal skills, speaking, critical thinking, evaluating, all through liberal arts courses. Then you may or may not continue your education in Liberal Arts or perhaps something else. Either way, you have a great foundation for your future.
Students who choose to begin their degree at a 2-year college tend to start by majoring in Community Health. A Liberal Arts education does not prepare you for one specific job but for many jobs you may have throughout your life. As a community college student, you have an opportunity to learn skills like interpersonal skills, speaking, critical thinking, evaluating, all through liberal arts courses. Then you may or may not continue your education in Liberal Arts or perhaps something else. Either way, you have a great foundation for your future.
This is a sample of Community Health related courses you will take to earn an Associate degree: Note that you will also take other courses like English or Math:
Intro to Community Health Service
Critical Issues in Community Health
Concepts of Wellness
General Psychology
Community Health Interventions
Intro to Sociology
Human Growth and Development
4-year College Pathway
The following is an example of the suggested path for your course planning when you begin at Brooklyn College to better give you an idea of what courses you can take with your major requirements. You will also see the term ‘General Elective’. General Electives are credits/courses that aren't part of your major or general education requirements, but that count towards the 120 credits required for your degree. Think of these as courses you can take in any subject that you find interest in. There is also a designation call ‘College Option’. This section of your degree can be satisfied by many different courses, but you will work closely with your academic advisor to complete this requirement with courses that closely relate to your career path.
The following is an example of the suggested path for your course planning when you begin at Brooklyn College to better give you an idea of what courses you can take with your major requirements. You will also see the term ‘General Elective’. General Electives are credits/courses that aren't part of your major or general education requirements, but that count towards the 120 credits required for your degree. Think of these as courses you can take in any subject that you find interest in. There is also a designation call ‘College Option’. This section of your degree can be satisfied by many different courses, but you will work closely with your academic advisor to complete this requirement with courses that closely relate to your career path.
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
