As roles evolve there is a need to do training and skills development. In Nebraska, there are programs available that can provide enhanced skills, build upon core competencies and basic health education.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Health Navigator/Community Health Worker Training is an online course provided FREE of charge. The course is highly interactive, involving online case studies, resources and participant discussion.
Training Details
Modules include skills and strategies that will assist Community Health Workers in being successful in their roles. Skills include: organizational skills, documentation skills, assessment skills, and service coordination skills.
In order to successfully navigate patients through the healthcare system, modules will be offered around the following health topics: colorectal health, cardiovascular disease, breast health, and cervical health. Besides the topic-specific content, each module contains forums, resource activities with documents to download for placement into a resource manual, an audio case study with an assignment, and a quiz. Each module is open for one week and the quiz opens at the end of the week.
On-site Training
Critical to this course are three on-sight training days. The first in-person session begins the course and introduces the participant to health navigator roles and boundaries, communication, cultural competency, and an introduction to online learning.
The final two in-person days will take place towards the end of the course. These days are designed to give participants a chance to debrief on the online learning process and course, learn new skills such as taking a blood pressure, receive helpful information about diabetes, and develop a case presentation based on the case studies from the online modules. To further enhance skills, the Community Health Worker will participate in a Community Health Worker Capstone Project to finish the course. More information regarding the capstone project will be given during week 1 of the course.