CHW Core Skills Competency Training
The Community Health Worker (CHW) Core Skills Competency Training is based on proven adult learning methods to effectively meet the diverse needs of learners. This flagship offering is a dynamic, hands-on program that minimizes traditional lecture-style (didactic) teaching. Instead, the training focuses on adult participatory methods, including team-building exercises, role-plays, Dyad (pair) work, and group interaction, as well as CHW-led “teach-backs” and presentations.
The Zee Turner Center (ZTC) for CHW Workforce Development provides an accessible, comprehensive training program specifically designed to prepare Community Health Workers (CHWs). The ZTC CHW Training also ensures that the program:
- Fosters a truly participatory, interactive, and hands-on learning environment.
- Values and incorporates CHWs’ prior experience and existing knowledge.
- Provides opportunities for CHWs to gain ongoing support and professional development throughout their careers.
CHW Training Overview:
Format: Virtual or In-person, or Hybrid
Length: 112 hours:
- 80 hours of instructional core competence training and
- 32 hours of Disease and Special Health topics
- A minimum of 40 hours of field practicum (shadowing experienced CHWs)
- Access to continuing education (8 hrs./month)*
Availability/Schedule:
- Our CHW Core Skills Competency Training course lasts for 8-10 weeks.
- We offer day, evening, and some weekend schedules for your convenience
Training Details
Pricing
Training Cost is $1,500*:
- Includes all classes, materials, CHW Foundation Textbooks, and help to find your practicum and certification support. Click here for payment plan options.
- *Employers seeking training for more than five (5) CHWs, please contact the Training Manager for a group rate at [email protected].
- Employers seeking customized training should contact the ZTC for a training quote.
Audience (who should participate in our training)
This CHW training course is ideal for:
- Current CHWs or outreach workers, peer specialists, doulas, etc., needing core skills competency training
- Community members, peer mentors, or current employees driven to support health equity
- Individuals with lived experience and strong community connections, even if they have no previous clinical training
- Staff seeking eligibility for state-recognized CHW certification programs in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, or Michigan. No prior health care experience is necessary. We welcome those new to the field as well as staff seeking to formalize and expand their skill set.
Training Prerequisites:
- 18 years of age or older
- Has a high school diploma or GED (No specific work experience or degree is required.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or a foreign national with permanent resident status.
- Can commit to 112 hours of training over 10 weeks (including a 40-hour internship after the instructional training).
Training Modules: Disease and Specialty Health Topics
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Training Modules: Core Skills Competency Topics
- Human Rights, Equity & Perspective Transformation
- Communication
- Public Health Knowledge
- Introduction to The CHW Role: CHW History, Roles, Skills, Tasks
- CHW Legal and Ethical Issues
- Data Collection and Medical Records
- Teaching and Capacity Building Skills & Clinical Practice
- Health Education and Prevention
- Outreach and Advocacy
- Resource Identification and Organization
Learning Objectives:
- Define the scope of practice and understand and implement the roles, competencies, and responsibilities of a CHW
- Acquire skills, tools, and methods for engaging the community and healthcare teams to minimize gaps in care
- Incorporate nonjudgmental communication to support health equity
- Incorporate concepts of ethics, professionalism, stress, and conflict management when working in a professional environment
- Use competencies at the individual and group levels when conducting health outreach, community organizing, and advocacy efforts
- Understand the commitment to social justice, cultural humility, and client and community-centered engagement
Program benefits
- Flexible: Choose morning or night classes. That way, you can still work or take care of your family.
- Approved: Matches state standards so you can get certified and work as a CHW Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan.
- Our trainers were CHWs themselves
- After completion, you can keep learning with workshops and events just for CHWs.
- We help you get ready for CHW jobs or help in your community
- After you finish, you’ll join a community of helpers making a difference every day.
What You’ll Get:
- Easy-to-follow lessons and friendly teachers who are real CHWs
- Digital CHW textbook “Foundations for CHWs,” workbook, and all study materials
- Practicum placement support. Help in being paired with a site for shadowing and on-the-job learning
- Lots of fun group activities and teamwork
- Access to 8+ hours/month continuing education and post-program support
- Certification support
Other Ways We Can Help
Not only do we train CHWs, but we also offer classes for supervisors and help organizations build their CHW programs. Additionally, we provide ongoing training for continuing education credits and help CHWs succeed at work.
When Is the Next Training?
Click here for the 2026 training schedule and flyer (add link to training flyer), or if you are an employer and would like to train your five (5) or more CHW Supervisors, please contact the Training Manager at [email protected]
If you need assistance or have any questions, please email: [email protected]