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New York Health Careers

Community Health Workers

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)

Community Health Worker Network (NYC) 
60 Haven Ave
New York, NY 10032
(917) 653-9699
Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo
515 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 548-6727
LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-7200
Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, New York 12305
(518) 381-1200
York College-CUNY
Continuing & Professional Educ Center
94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd
Jamaica, NY  11451
(718) 262-2790
Hostos Community College
Allied Health Career Pipeline Program
427 Walton Ave
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 619-8362
Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 368-5000
1199 SEIU Home Care Industry Educ
330 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 643-9422
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Health Career Center
450 Clarkson Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11203
(718) 270-7701
 

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