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Community health worker vs health outreach worker

The differences between community health workers and health outreach workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a community health worker and a health outreach worker. Additionally, a community health worker has an average salary of $37,079, which is higher than the $32,129 average annual salary of a health outreach worker.

The top three skills for a community health worker include patients, community health and social work. The most important skills for a health outreach worker are patients, community health, and social work.

Community health worker vs health outreach worker overview

Community Health WorkerHealth Outreach Worker
Yearly salary$37,079$32,129
Hourly rate$17.83$15.45
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs82,44585,592
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

What does a community health worker do?

A community health worker is a health professional who is a lay member of the community that provides health care in both urban and rural environments. Community health workers offer the health needs of the community they serve and provide some direct services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. They help people understand their health conditions and deliver health information by using appropriate cultural terms and concepts. Community health workers also make home visits to patients who are clinically ill, pregnant women, and individuals at high risk of health problems.

What does a health outreach worker do?

Community health workers are health care professionals who are responsible for assisting individuals and communities in adopting health behaviors by outreaching health organizations to implement health programs. These health workers are required to provide basic health care services and perform basic diagnostic procedures such as screening of blood pressure, breast cancer, or communicable disease. They must also identify the particular health care needs of individuals in the community and as well as visit their homes to provide support or information. Community health workers must also arrange transportation to clients who have health appointments or referral sites.

Community health worker vs health outreach worker salary

Community health workers and health outreach workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Community Health WorkerHealth Outreach Worker
Average salary$37,079$32,129
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $49,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAEureka, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Hampshire
Best paying companyPacific Northwest National LaboratoryPacific Northwest National Laboratory
Best paying industryInsuranceInsurance

Differences between community health worker and health outreach worker education

There are a few differences between a community health worker and a health outreach worker in terms of educational background:

Community Health WorkerHealth Outreach Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Community health worker vs health outreach worker demographics

Here are the differences between community health workers' and health outreach workers' demographics:

Community Health WorkerHealth Outreach Worker
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 23.5% Female, 76.5%Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 5.8% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 51.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage21%21%

Differences between community health worker and health outreach worker duties and responsibilities

Community health worker example responsibilities.

  • Lead process and counseling groups gear toward healing from both PTSD and substance dependence issues.
  • Manage large databases, analyze records, perform literature reviews, prepare PowerPoint presentations, and interpret data for publication.
  • Complete vitals on all patients and record vitals in EMR.
  • Train and educate professionals on HIV prevention and testing in the community.
  • Create program materials such as flyers, letters, banners, handouts, etc.
  • Assess asthma control by completing questionnaires during home visits and communicating this information via EMR.
  • Show more

Health outreach worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage large databases, analyze records, perform literature reviews, prepare PowerPoint presentations, and interpret data for publication.
  • Deliver direct services to children with autism by executing individualize plans, completing necessary documentation and communication effectively with team.
  • Maintain privacy and confidentiality of participants and employee information following HIPPA and company guidelines.

Community health worker vs health outreach worker skills

Common community health worker skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Community Health, 12%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • CHW, 5%
  • Social Services, 4%
Common health outreach worker skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%

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