7885861 - Community Health Worker Instructor Certification

Course Description

The National CHW Training Center offers the CHW Instructor (CHWI) Certification Course as a self-paced, online course: January 26 - April 20, 2026 (Spring 2026 Cohort).

The CHW course is 160 total hours and covers eight competencies: Communication, Teaching, Interpersonal, Service Coordination, Capacity Building, Advocacy, Organization, and Knowledge Base Skills.

Each of the eight competencies is composed of 20 contact hours.
The approximate breakdown of hours for EACH competency (totaling the 160 contact hours):
Class sessions (live and pre-recorded) and activities: 4 hours
Homework: 10 hours
Hands on experience: 6 hours

Course Outline

Course Format
The CHW course is a self-paced, online course taught on Canvas. 

Trainees can watch the course pre-recorded videos and complete assignments in Canvas. 

1. Teaching Skills
2. Communication Skills
3. Advocacy Skills
4. Interpersonal Skills
5. Service Coordination Skills
6. Capacity Building Skills
7. Organizational Skills
8. Knowledge Base Skills

Learner Outcomes

Communication Skills

• Understand basic principles of verbal and non-verbal communication
• Listen actively, communicate with empathy and gather information in a respectful manner
• Use language confidently and appropriately
• Identify barriers to communication
• Give information to clients and groups in a clear and concise way
• Speak and write in client’s preferred language and at appropriate literacy level
• Document activities and services and prepare written documentation
• Collect data and provide feedback to health and human services agencies, funding sources, and community-based organizations
• Gather information in a respectful manner
• Assist in interpreting and/or translating health information

Interpersonal Skills

• Represent others, their needs, and needs of the community
• Be sensitive, honest, respectful, and empathetic
• Establish relationships, and assist in individual and group conflict resolution
• Understand basic principles of culture, cultural competency, and cultural humility
• Recognize and appropriately respond to the beliefs, values, cultures, and languages of the populations served
• Set personal and professional boundaries
• Provide informal counseling
• Use interviewing techniques (e.g. motivational interviewing)
• Work as a team member
• Act within ethical responsibilities as set forth in Rules regarding Training and Certification of CHWs, Section §146.7. Professional and Ethical Standards
•  Maintain confidentiality of client information and act within the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements
• Model behavior change
• Ability to network

Service Coordination Skills

• Identify and access resources and maintain a current resource inventory
• Help improve access to resources
• Conduct outreach to encourage participation in health events
• Coordinate CHW activities with clinical and other community services
• Develop networks to address community needs
• Coordinate referrals, follow-up, track care and referral outcomes
• Help others navigate services and resources in health and human services systems
• Provide education, assessment and social support to clients and communities

Capacity-Building Skills

• Identify problems and resources to encourage and help clients solve problems themselves
• Collaborate with local partnerships to improve services, network and build community connections
• Learn new and better ways of serving the community through formal and informal training
• Assess the strengths and needs of the community
• Build leadership skills for yourself and others in the community
• Facilitate support groups
• Organize with others in the community to address health issues or other needs/concerns

Advocacy Skills

• Participate in organizing others, use existing resources, and current data to promote a cause
• Identify and work with advocacy groups
• Inform health and social service systems and carry out mandatory reporting requirements
• Stay abreast of structural and policy changes in the community and in health and social services systems
• Speak up for individuals or communities to overcome barriers to services
• Utilize coping strategies for managing stress and staying healthy

Teaching Skills

• Use methods that promote learning and positive behavior change
• Use a variety of interactive teaching and coaching methods for different learning styles and ages
• Organize presentation materials
• Identify and explain training and education goals and objectives
• Plan and lead classes
• Evaluate the success of an educational program and measure the progress of individual learners
• Use audiovisual materials and equipment to enhance teaching
• Prepare and distribute education materials and present at community events
• Facilitate group discussions and decision making in ways that engage and motivate learners

Organizational Skils

• Plan and set individual and organization goals
• Plan and set up presentations, educational/training sessions, workshops, and other activities
• Effectively manage time and prioritize activities, yet stay flexible
• Maintain and contribute to a safe working environment
• Gather, document, and report on activities within legal and organization guidelines

Knowledge Base on Specific Health Issues

• Gain and share basic knowledge of the community, health, and social services, specific health issues
• Understand social impacts on health and health disparities
• Stay current on health issues affecting clients and know where to find answers to difficult questions
• Understand consumer rights
• Find information on specific health topics and issues across all ages [lifespan focus], including healthy lifestyles, maternal and child health, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer, oral health,h and behavioral health among others
• Use and apply public health concepts

Notes