Community Health Worker Certificate (CHWC)

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.cincinnatistate.edu.

Community Health Worker Certificate (CHWC)

Community Health Workers are trained advocates in communities where they are connected by culture, language, or residence. They empower individuals to gain access to health and community resources through education, outreach, home visits, mentoring, and referrals.

The Community Health Worker Certificate prepares students to work in varied settings, including community-based health and social service agencies, and home visitation programs. Practicum experiences in the community are a major component of the certificate.

Graduates of the certificate program have diverse skills including interviewing, collecting data, obtaining vital signs, mentoring, providing client advocacy, providing referrals to community resources, care coordination, promoting basic health, and working with culturally diverse clients and community organizations.

Current CPR certification, up-to-date immunization verification, and a physical exam are required prior to practicum placement.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are qualified to apply to the Ohio Board of Nursing for a certificate to practice as a Certified Community Health Worker. A BCI (civilian) and FBI (federal) criminal records check is required by the Ohio Board of Nursing with the application for the certificate to practice.

For more information, please contact the Health and Public Safety Division at (513) 569-1670.

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.

Community Health Worker Certificate (CHW)

Program Prerequisite: Student must meet with the program coordinator prior to enrolling in the program.

Semester 1LecLabCredits
CHW 100Community Health Worker Training 324
MCH 106Health and Wellness Promotion 202
Semester 2  
MCH 116Cultural Competency for Health and Public Safety Professions 303
CHW 180Community Health Worker Practicum 183
Total Credits:  91012

CHW Courses

CHW 100 Community Health Worker Training
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.

A course on the community health worker's role, skills, and responsibilities based on curriculum requirements defined by the Ohio Board of Nursing Community Health Worker (CHW) Program. Topics include: professionalism and communication, direct health care services, home visiting, motivational interviewing, and other aspects of health education and community resources referral. Students complete internship experiences in community organizations.
Prerequisites: MCH 106 (minimum grade C) and certified in Basic Life Support

Instructor Consent Required

CHW 180 Community Health Worker Practicum
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 7 Lab Hours.

Students complete clinical practice in a community agency or community health setting by performing functions of the community health worker under supervision of faculty members and agency site supervisors. Students also attend a weekly on-campus seminar.
Prerequisites: CHW 100 (minimum grade C)
Corequisites: MCH 116 : Cultural Competency for Health and Public Safety Professions

Instructor Consent Required

MCH Courses

MCH 100 Healthcare Informatics
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on technology used in the healthcare delivery system and electronic health records (EHR) management. Topics include: hardware, software, user interfaces, telecommunications and networks, and health management information systems.
Prerequisites: None

MCH 101 Medical Terminology 1
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the basic structure of medical words and abbreviations. Topics include: prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, and singulars and plurals. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101

Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved

MCH 102 Medical Terminology 2
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A continuation of MCH 101. Topics include: defining, pronouncing, and spelling medical terms using prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combined forms. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: MCH 101 (minimum grade C)

Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved

Ohio Career-Technical Assurance Guide Approved

MCH 104 Comprehensive Medical Terminology
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A comprehensive study of medical terminology. Topics include: prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, singulars and plurals, and abbreviations associated with medical specialties. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101

Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved

MCH 106 Health and Wellness Promotion
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on promoting health and wellness issues to the public. Topics include: self-empowerment, stress reduction, physical fitness, healthy eating, addiction avoidance, identifying and reducing risk factors in disease, and alternative therapies. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: None

MCH 108 Professionalism in Healthcare
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on professional standards applicable in healthcare settings. Topics include: communication skills, employability skills, healthcare teams, diversity, career planning, and professional development. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101

MCH 110 Orientation to Health Records
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the content and format of health records. Topics include: standard forms, legal issues related to health records, maintaining health records, and filing and retrieving diagnostic reports.
Prerequisites: MCH 101 (minimum grade C), and IM 105 or appropriate keyboarding score

MCH 112 Issues in Health Economics
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on current trends and concerns related to the economics of health care systems. Topics include: economic differences between medical care and other commodities.
Prerequisites: None

MCH 114 Law and Ethics for Healthcare
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on fundamentals of medical jurisprudence and essentials of professional behavior in healthcare. Topics include: medical ethics, legal concerns in healthcare, and the healthcare provider's role as an agent of the physician. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101

MCH 116 Cultural Competency for Health and Public Safety Professions
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the influences of race, culture, and ethnicity in shaping values, belief systems, and behaviors of Health and Public Safety professionals and patients/clients. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101

MCH 120 Health Unit Coordinator Training
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on skills required for entry-level medical clerical workers. The curriculum follows the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) standards. Topics include: orientation to health care facilities; personal and professional skills; electronic health records; and admission, transfers, and discharge procedures. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: MCH 102 or MCH 104 (minimum grade C for either)

MCH 130 Nurse Aide Training
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on caring for the elderly in long-term care facilities. Topics include: communication skills, mental health and social service needs, resident rights, activities of daily living, safety, and restorative services. Students who complete the course at 80% or above are qualified to take the Ohio Department of Health Competency Evaluation Test for a State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA).
Prerequisites: None

Instructor Consent Required

MCH 132 Patient Care Assistant Training
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course that prepares students for employment in acute care facilities as nursing assistive personnel. Topics include: role definition/classification, communication, basic anatomy/physiology concepts with associated observations, overview of nutrition/diet therapy, introduction to common pathologies, and commonly delegated skills.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101, and MCH 130, and on State Nurse Aide Registry or eligible for Registry

Instructor Consent Required

MCH 134 Medication Aide Training
6 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours.

A course that prepares students to distribute medications in long-term care and residential care facilities, through a minimum of 80 hours of lecture and laboratory practice and 40 hours of clinical experience.
Prerequisites: MCH 130, and on State Nurse Aide Registry or have one year of experience in a residential care setting

Instructor Consent Required

MCH 136 Restorative Aide Training
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on rehabilitation services used to return individuals to optimal mobility and functioning following various conditions. Topics include: lifting, moving, and ambulation procedures; care of individuals with musculoskeletal, neurological, and integumentary conditions; and restorative approaches to meeting nutrition, hydration, and personal care needs.
Prerequisites: MCH 130, and on State Nurse Aide Registry or eligible for Registry

Instructor Consent Required

MCH 138 Patient Care Skills
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 3 Lab Hours.

A course on fundamental health care concepts and skills for students planning a career in healthcare. Topics include: communication, infection control including wound care, workplace safety, basic emergency care, body mechanics, obtaining vital signs including pain assessment, bedmaking, assisting with oxygen therapy, IV therapy, and urinary elimination.
Prerequisites: None

MCH 141 Electrocardiography 1
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on the basic principles of electrocardiography. Topics include: cardiac anatomy and physiology, electrical conduction system of the heart, steps for recognizing basic cardiac dysrhythmias, ECG techniques, and patient preparation for an electrocardiogram. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: BIO 100 or BIO 111 or BIO 151 (minimum grade C for all)

MCH 142 Electrocardiography 2
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A continuation of MCH 141, including review of basic electrocardiography rhythm interpretations and the 12 lead ECG tracing, and focus on recognizing changes in the ECG tracing due to various cardiac conditions. Topics include: cardiac electrophysiology, recognizing common dysrhythmia and advanced cardiac dysrhythmias, chamber enlargement, pacemakers, myocardial ischemia, injury, infarct, and recognizing effects of drugs and electrolytes on the ECG tracing. This course is delivered through online instruction only.
Prerequisites: MCH 141 (minimum grade C), or certification in EMT, Paramedic, Nursing, or Practical Nursing

Faculty

Experiential Learning Coordinator

Jenny Boles, MSN, RN
jennifer.boles@cincinnatistate.edu

Health and Public Safety Division Advising

Call (513) 569-1670 or Text (513) 569-1600