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What Do Community Health Workers Do?

Community health workers assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. They also conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. Community health workers provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, and advocate for individuals and community health needs. Additionally, they may collect data to help identify community health needs.

Where Do Community Health Workers Work?

Many community health workers work in health facilities, providing case management, client education, interpretive services, follow-up care, and patient navigation. Others are employed by government agencies and non-profit groups to provide community organization, health education, insurance enrollment, and preventive care services in the field.

Although their roles vary depending on locale and cultural setting, they are most often found working in underprivileged, marginalized communities where people may have limited resources: lack of access to quality health care; lack of means to pay for health care; do not speak English fluently; or have diverse cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors.

What Do Community Health Workers Earn?

According to the 2019 BLS, the average salary for full time, community health workers nationwide was $44,390, varying by specialty and geographic region. Average annual salary also varies greatly across New York State, depending on location. The NYSDOL reports that community health workers in New York earned an average annual salary of $45,040, (entry level-$28,280, experienced- $69,680).

Supply and Demand

Between 2016-2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the total number of community health worker jobs will increase by 26.1% in New York, much higher than the projected increase of 18.1% nationwide. For more information on projections of community health workers by New York State labor regions, 2014-2024, click here.

Educational Program Requirements

Educational requirements for community health workers vary by location and roles.

New York Licensure Requirements

No license is needed to work as a community health worker in the state of New York.

Board Certification

Community health workers may receive training, but this training does not culminate in the awarding of a certificate.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

What Do Patient Care Coordinators Do?

Patient care coordinators facilitate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, social service organizations, and other health care providers. They assess the person’s physical, social, psychological, and financial needs. They are often the first contact for provision of information to the patient or physician on behalf of attending physicians. Patient care coordinators may also explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge, and provide consultation or training to volunteers or staff on topics such as guest relations, patients’ rights, and medical issues. They are familiar with community services and resources available to patients, and refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources. Patient care coordinators also train and educate patients, families, and medical and social service providers in case management and its goals, available services, and self-management. Patient navigation is an additional function of patient care coordinators, and can be its own specific job title. Case managers and care managers have similar roles to patient care coordinators and patient navigators, with differences in education requirements, experience, and responsibilities that fluctuate between locations, settings, and clientele.

As the name suggests, patient care coordinators are heavily involved in the coordination of care and will establish a system for monitoring the delivery of services. If needed, the care coordinator can act as an advocate if a conflict arises. They also ensure cost effectiveness and the quality of care for the patient.

Where Do Patient Care Coordinators Work?

Most patient care coordinators work in hospitals and ambulatory care settings such as clinics. However, many work for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute, helping patients with complex care needs navigate the health care system.

What Do Patient Care Coordinators Earn?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not yet publish employment and earnings data for patient care coordinators. Per www.salary.com, a Patient Care Coordinator makes a national annual average salary of $87,770.

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for all customer representatives, including patient representatives, will increase by 14% in New York from 2014-2024—more than the nationwide increase of 9.8%.

Increased demand for this profession can be attributed to changes in health care systems (eg, coordinating multiple provider organizations), an aging population, and the complex needs of chronic disease patients.

For more information on projections of patient care coordinators by New York State labor regions,
click here.

Educational Program Requirements

Most patient care coordinator occupations require a 4-year bachelor’s degree, but some do not. Most patient care coordinators have degrees in social work, nursing, or public health.

New York Licensure Requirements

No license is needed to work as a patient care coordinator in New York State.

Board Certification

Patient care coordinators may receive training, which is recognized by the health services and national certification authority, but this training does not culminate in the awarding of a certificate.