Community Health Worker Handbook

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Community Health Worker Handbook

Table of Contents

Section 1- Introduction

1.1 Policy

1.2 Handbook Introduction

Section 2- Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 What is a Community Health Worker?

2.2 Seven Core Roles

2.3 Core Values

2.4 Code of Ethics for Community Health Workers

2.5 Core Competencies

2.6 Essential Scope of Work

Section 3- Liability of Practice

3.1 Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality

3.2 Mandatory Reporting

a) Child Abuse and Neglect

b) Statutory Sexual Seduction

c) Lewdness with a Child under the Age of 14

d) Elder Abuse

3.3 Other Situations

a) Threat of Harm to Self or Others

b) Domestic Abuse

c) Addiction (Alcohol, Substance, Gambling, etc.)

Section 4- Code of Conduct

4.1 General Policies

4.2 Conduct and Relationship with Clients

4.3 Personal Appearance

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Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health: CHW Handbook

Section 5- Outreach & Home Visiting Safety

5.1 Before a Home Visit

5.2 During a Home Visit

5.3 General Policies

Section 6- Case Management Services

6.1 General Policies

6.2 Referrals to Services

6.3 Appointments

6.4 Recording Case Notes

6.5 Case Note Maintenance

6.6 Closing Client¡¯s Case Notes

6.7 Follow-up Communication

6.8 Walk-in Appointments

6.9 No Call/No Shows, Rescheduling Appointments, and Late Appointments

6.10 Client Transportation

6.11 Clients Wishing to Switch Community Health Workers

Section 7- Boundaries

7.1 Boundary Distinction

7.2 Setting Limits

7.3 Self Care

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Section

Section 1: Introduction

1.1 Policy

The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Act requires Nevada employers to furnish a place of

employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious

physical harm to employees.

1.2 Handbook Introduction

The Community Health Worker¡¯s Handbook serves four purposes:

1. It identifies the core values on which Community Health Work (CHW) is based.

2. It identifies the scope of work of a CHW so that a CHW does not operate practice beyond their

scope.

3. It provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the CHW profession

accountable.

4. It socializes CHWs new to the field on their chosen profession¡¯s mission, values, ethical principles,

and ethical standards.

The Employee Handbook is designed to acquaint you with the policies and procedures as a Community

Health Worker (CHW). This will provide you with information about working conditions and policies

affecting your employment.

The information contained in this Employee Handbook applies to all CHWs currently employed in Nevada.

However, it should be notated that the policies and procedures within your place of employment should

also be adhered to in addition to what is laid out within this handbook.

You are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with the provisions of this Employee

Handbook. Our objective is to provide you with a work environment that is constructive to both personal

and professional growth.

Section 2: Roles & Responsibilities

2.1 What is a Community Health Worker?

"A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of

and/or has a close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to

serve as a liaison between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and

improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

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Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health: CHW Handbook

A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency

through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support

and advocacy (American Public Health Association, 2013)."

The mission of the community health work profession is rooted in a set of core roles, core values and a

specific code of ethics that drive their scope of work and practice within a community. These core roles,

core values and code of ethics, embraced by CHWs throughout the profession¡¯s history, are the

foundation of community health work¡¯s unique purpose and perspective:

2.2 Seven Core Roles

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Bridging cultural mediation between communities and the health care system

Providing culturally appropriate and accessible health education and information, often by using

popular education methods

Ensuring that people get the services they need

Providing informal counseling/education and social support

Advocating for individuals and communities

Providing direct services (such as basic first aid) and administering health screening tests

Building individual and community capacity

2.3 Core Values as defined by the American Association of Community Health

Workers

Community Health Workers play a unique role in promoting well-being in our communities. They are the

bridge between communities and the traditional health care and human service systems. They work to

build community capacity to ensure that communities are active participants in improving their health

status. The foundation of Community Health Workers rests on the core values that define their profession.

These core values are based on the history, unique role and ongoing development of the field. These core

values reflect a broad definition of healthy communities and include:

Value: Access

Ethical Principle: Community Health Workers strive to ensure equal access to services. All persons have

the right to access health care, human services and support services needed to improve health.

Value: Acceptance

Ethical Principle: Community Health Workers strive to remain open-minded and are accepting of others

and everybody¡¯s individual differences. They are inclusive and accepting on all levels.

Value: Advocacy & Education

Ethical Principle: Community Health Workers educate, inform, and advocate for communities, individuals

and the field of community health work. CHW¡¯s develop the capacity of individuals and communities to

advocate for themselves by educating and informing.

Value: Excellence

Ethical Principle: Community Health Workers strive for excellence by providing quality services and the

most accurate information available to individuals and communities.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Section

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