SHARON, Pa. — The Northwest Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center has partnered with Penn State Shenango to offer a Pennsylvania accredited community health worker training that is open to students and the public. The primarily online training will begin May 14 and end July 16.
Participants that successfully complete the program will earn certifications in CPR, AED, first aid, and mental health first aid, as well as obtaining all the course hours necessary to apply for community health worker certification.
“Area medical centers are noting the demand they’re experiencing for qualified community health workers,” said Sally Puskar, health educator at Northwest PA AHEC. “Graduates of the program find a job they love quickly. Now’s a great time to get into the health care field.”
As a professional, these workers serve as a liaison between communities and health care agencies; help community members; coordinate care and referrals; and assist clients who register for health and human service programs.
The program covers a breadth of topics that include communication, conflict, documentation, prevention, health literacy, HIPPA policies, safety, and self-care, with additional modules that discuss cultural competency, mandated reporting, opioid use disorder, Cavity Free Kids education, and tobacco cessation.
Presenters for each topic join the program from many local health organizations, providing participants with a variety of viewpoints and networking opportunities. One in-person meeting is required at Penn State Shenango to learn CPR skills.
The course’s $1,500 training fee may be covered by a grant. Contact Puskar at [email protected] or 724-977-3369 to learn more or to sign up for the community health worker training.
