HPAC Scholar's Day 2019 CHW_Assessment_Key_Findings | Page 40

it is known that there are both certified
and non-certified CHWs practicing in all 88
counties in Ohio. It is also now known that
the top three traits CHWs in Ohio share with
the community they serve are zip code,
socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity.
Furthermore, both certified and non-certified
CHWs and their employers state that they
relate to the APHA definition of a CHW as
well as the core roles of a CHW defined by
the C3 Project. Below are the demographic
estimates of the CHW profession in Ohio
(both certified and non-certified):
■ ■ 94 percent of CHWs are female
■ ■ Most CHWs are African American (46
percent) or Caucasian (44 percent)
■ ■ The highest level of education for most
CHWs is some college or an associate’s
degree (54 percent)
■ ■ No differences were observed between
certified and non-certified CHWs in
terms of employment status, education
level, job title, supervisor and other
health professionals understanding and
acceptance of the CHW role, and the
definition of a CHW
CHW Employment in Ohio
According to the statewide CHW survey, there
are at least 487 CHWs that are employed in
Ohio and 58 CHWs that are unemployed.
Both of these numbers are likely higher,
particularly the number of unemployed
CHWs in Ohio. Due to the fact that survey
recruitment was mostly through known
or likely employers of CHWs, it is probable
that the estimate of unemployment found
in this survey is undercounting the true
number of unemployed CHWs (certified
and non-certified) in Ohio. According to
comments from CHWs in both the focus
groups and surveys, it is difficult to find, and
in some cases maintain, employment as a
CHW in Ohio. CHWs commented there are
not enough CHW positions in Ohio, many
positions require a bachelor’s degree or
higher (the survey found that a majority
of the unemployed CHWs did not have a
bachelor’s degree), life experience is not
counted enough in hiring decisions, and
due to the nature of grant funding CHW
positions have little job security. Employers
should therefore consider revising position
requirements and find ways to count life
experience for hiring considerations since
most certified and non-certified CHWs do
not have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally,
CHW training programs should consider
using the information collected on CHW job
descriptions in this assessment and tailor
pieces of their curriculums to the common
required skills of the job descriptions so
that CHWs are successful in obtaining
employment after graduation.
In terms of employment characteristics
once employed, CHWs are known by many
job titles. The most prevalent job title from
this sample was community health worker.
Other common titles included home visitor,
community connector, outreach worker,
health coach, and patient navigator among
many other titles. Additionally, most CHWs
in this sample were supervised by a nurse or
social worker. However, a large number of
respondents from both surveys report a wide
variety of other types of professionals that
currently supervise CHWs in Ohio. Very few
employers from the surveys require CHWs
to have characteristics in common with the
population served and many employers
are requiring CHWs to practice in multiple
counties.
One common theme throughout the
assessment is that CHWs and other
stakeholders reported that they feel
underpaid. The most common response
Discussion of Assessment Findings
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