Empower Your Community with Health and Wellness
Become a trusted advocate for community health with St. Louis Community College's community health worker (CHW) short-term career training. This no-cost program blends hybrid and service learning, covering topics such as public health, chronic disease management and client-centered counseling. Upon completion, you'll have the skills to help others navigate local health care systems and promote healthier communities.
What is Community Health Worker Training at St. Louis Community College?
Community health workers are trusted community members who help others adopt healthy behaviors. They create programs for health organizations to promote and improve health for individuals and communities. CHWs offer various services, including:
- Sharing information about resources
- Providing support and informal counseling
- Advocating for health needs
- Administering first aid and blood pressure screenings
- Collecting data on health needs
This program combines hybrid classroom instruction with service learning. The service learning experience involves hands-on resource gathering, networking, outreach and job shadowing in a clinical setting.
What Can You Do as a Community Health Worker?
After completing the community health worker training program, you'll be ready to work directly with communities. Graduates can apply for the Community Health Worker credential through the Missouri Credentialing Board. Job opportunities include positions in nonprofits, health care facilities, government agencies and schools.
Community Health Worker Short-Term Career Training
- Location: STLCC's William J. Harrison Education Center
- Duration: 20-week program | Tuesday, Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Class start dates: Feb. and Mar. 2025
- Student cost: Free through grant funding
- Contact information: acceleratedjobtraining@stlcc.edu | 314-984-7777
Eligibility Requirements
Enrollment in the community health worker (CHW) program is highly selective and seats fill quickly. All candidates that apply will be required to:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Demonstrate academic and career readiness.
- Demonstrate passion for community health work.
- Intend to work as a CHW in Missouri.
Applicants may also be required to:
- Register with the Missouri Family Care Safety Registry if required for service learning.
- Submit an employer commitment letter if completing as part of employment.
- Demonstrate interest in and intent for employment within the behavioral heath workforce.
Technology Requirements
The CHW program is currently being delivered in a hybrid format. Students will need the following technology to participate in the program:
- Desktop or laptop computer with an updated operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac, Linux) NOTE: Cell phones will not be sufficient for completing the coursework requirements in this program.
- Webcam and microphone
- Reliable, high-speed internet connection
- Updated Internet browser (Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox)
- Adobe Reader or alternative PDF reader (free)
- Microsoft Office NOTE: Students have access to MS Office 365 with their student email.
Clinical and Field Work
Some degree and certificate programs offered by the College require students to obtain community health service learning experience as part of their course work. Hospitals and health facilities may mandate that a criminal background check and/or drug screening be conducted prior to placement in a clinical setting and as part of an employer’s screening process. Students not passing these checks may be prohibited from participating in the community health service learning experience, thus rendering the student ineligible to satisfactorily meet the course/program requirements, and/or ineligible for hire.