Course

Community Health Worker Spring 2025 -King

Time limit: 365 days

$1,200 Enroll

Full course description

To be notified the next time this course is available, please email Dr. Teresa Wagner at teresa.wagner@unthsc.edu

The American Public Health Association defines a community health worker as "a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served." CHWs are natural helpers in the community who serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

Estimated Hours to Complete: 160

This course is designed to certify learners as Community Health Workers in the State of Texas.

CHW Certification Objectives

    1. Evaluate and implement entry-level proficiency in CHW skills including client-centered assessment, coaching, and health education to deploy in group facilitation, community organizing, and advocacy.​
    2. Develop and integrate job readiness and professional skills necessary for employment in the CHW field.​
    3. Define ethics, scope of practice, professional boundaries, conflict resolution, self-care, time management, & skills for giving & receiving constructive feedback.​
    4. Analyze & evaluate health information from public health, behavioral science, evidence-based & cultural perspectives using best practices for health promotion.​
    5. Appraise and apply core concepts for working effectively with diverse clients and communities, including cultural humility and ecological perspective.​ 

To Become a Certified CHW in Texas:

  • Must be a Texas Resident
  • Must be over 16 years of age
  • Training – Must complete 160-hour competency-based certification program certified by DSHS; or
  • Experience – At least 1,000 hours of verified CHW work services within the past 6

Course Faculty:

Carlene King, CRB, CHWI

Founder and Executive Director of Shades of Survival, Inc.

Carlene devotes her professional time working as a Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker with over 23 years of experience handling contract negotiation and property tax disputes. Carlene is also a mediator and arbitrator for the Texas Department of Insurance. Carlene’s mission, in this role, is to objectively listen to the disputes of involved parties, and help these parties arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution to their conflict.

Carlene serves as the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, Shades of Survival, Inc. In her role as Executive Director, Carlene provides mentorship to cancer patients at the beginning of diagnosis and works with patients throughout each phase of treatment and care; helping them navigate the complex healthcare system, as well as assisting in locating available resources. Carlene is a Certified Community Health Worker Instructor and Community Outreach Coordinator at Cancer Care Services.

Carlene, who is a cancer survivor herself, extends her services beyond Shades of Survival; and has previously served as a member of the board of directors for the DFW-CHW Association, Shine Therapy, a nonprofit organization located in Fort Worth, Texas, that provides massage therapy services to cancer patients and Cancer Care Services. Additionally, Carlene is the moderator of the Sista Survivors support group, Community Health Worker with Cancer Care Services, Volunteer with Komen for the Cure, and Moncrief Cancer Resources; where she plays an instrumental role in the organizations’ client-related services. This role includes but is not limited to conducting media interviews, coordinating health fairs and other events, one-on-one mentoring with cancer patients, advocacy, as well as community outreach and awareness.

 
Profile Photo of Teressa Wagner

Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, FNAP, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC

Director, UNTHSC Community Health Worker Training Center

Dr. Wagner has a passion for helping people navigate health care. Her research focuses on health literacy, the ability for people to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information to make informed health decisions and follow instructions for treatment. Dr. Wagner is a registered dietitian and Doctor of Public Health holding certifications in Public Health, Patient Safety, Lifestyle Medicine, Health Coaching and is a Certified Community Health Worker Instructor. Dr. Wagner recognizes that CHWs are the conduit to health literacy, patient safety, and public health for the communities they serve.

Learn more about our Community Health Worker Center

under the Direction of Dr. Teresa Wagner.