Community Health Worker Certificate & Community Health Navigator Associate Degree

Otero Junior College

La Junta, CO

This database is no longer actively maintained and is here for archival purposes only

Organization Type: 
Educational Institution
Program Type: 
Curriculum/Track
Education Level: 
Undergraduate
Continuing Education
Technical certificate programs or certificate training programs
Educational Elements: 
Lecture/Didactic
Independent Study
Self Reflection Activities
Experiential not including services to patients
Other
Other Element(s): 
The pilot program included weekly presentations by representatives of area resource agencies. The students researched and contributed to an ongoing resource directory.
Program Description: 

Otero Junior College is developing a Community Health Worker Certificate Program and a Community Health Navigator Associate Degree. Students can enroll in a one-year certificate program for Community Health Workers and, with an additional year of classes, an associate degree for Community Health Navigators.  The program is also working on articulation agreements with four-year institutions to allow credit towards a human services bachelor's degree. 

The program will include in-depth coverage of community health issues and needs, basic information about health problems and medical terminology, communications, record keeping, community resources, cultural competency, development of leadership skills, and field work experiences. 

Curriculum Rough Draft: Health Navigator Programs (January 13, 2013)

Certificate Program: 17 credits

  • Special Topics: Overview of Health Navigation (3 credits)
  • Community Health Issues (3)
  • Community Health Resources (3)
  • Field Experience (2)
  • English Composition (3)
  • Ethics (3)                             

Additional Classes for Associate Degree: 44 additional credits for a total of 61 credits

  • Basics of Chronic Disease (1.5 credits)
  • Patient Navigation (3)
  • Psych Impact Chronic Disease (1)
  • End-of-Life Palliative Care (0.5)
  • Special Topics:  Field Work (3)
  • Interpersonal Communications (3)
  • Human Growth & Development (3)
  • College Biology (10)
  • General Psychology (3)
  • Math for Liberal Arts (4)
  • English Composition (3)
  • Elective (3)
Evaluated: 
No
Targeted Professions
Social Work: 
Medical social work
Additional: 
Patient Educators
Other: 
Community Health Workers and Community Health Navigators
Program Website
Self-Reported Competencies
PCPCC’s Education and Training Task Force identified 16 interprofessional training competencies critical for preparing health professionals for practicing in team-based, coordinated care models such as patient-centered medical homes. Listed below are the self-reported competencies that this program has achieved, which have been organized by the five core features of a medical home as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Patient-Centered Care Competencies: 
Advocacy for patient-centered integrated care
Cultural sensitivity and competence in culturally appropriate practice
Development of effective, caring relationships with patients
Patient-centered care planning, including collaborative decision-making and patient self-management
Comprehensive Care Competencies: 
Assessment of biopsychosocial needs across the lifespan
Population-based approaches to health care delivery
Risk identification
Coordinated Care Competencies: 
Care coordination for comprehensive care of patient & family in the community
Health information technology, including e-communications with patients & other providers
Interprofessionalism & interdisciplinary team collaboration
Team leadership
Quality Care & Safety Competencies: 
Assessment of patient outcomes
Business models for patient-centered integrated care
Evidence-based practice
Quality improvement methods, including assessment of patient-experience for use in practice-based improvement efforts
Accessible Care Competencies: 
Promotion of appropriate access to care (e.g., group appointments, open scheduling)
Last updated November 15, 2013

* Please note: Information contained in this database is self-reported by representatives from each program. It does not represent an exhaustive list of education and training programs and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement from the PCPCC.

 

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