Top 10 Organizations That Hire Community Health Workers (And Pay Well)

Looking for a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives? Community health work might be your calling. But where do you find the best organizations that offer not just a job, but a rewarding career path?

We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll explore the top organizations hiring community health workers, including:

• Hospitals and clinics
• Government and non-profit organizations
• Schools and community centers
• Insurance companies

And hey, if you’re in Illinois, you might want to check out the Illinois Community Health Workers Association (ILCHWA). We are all about supporting and connecting community health workers like you.

1. Hospitals and Clinics

Hospitals and clinics are often the first places that come to mind when you think about healthcare jobs. And for good reason. They’re a major employer of community health workers.

Hospitals need CHWs to help bridge the gap between patients and medical providers. You might find yourself working in a bustling urban hospital or a small rural clinic. Either way, you’ll be a vital part of the healthcare team.

What You’ll Do

• Patient Education: You’ll help patients understand their conditions and treatment plans. This might involve explaining medical jargon in plain language or providing resources in the patient’s preferred language.
• Care Coordination: You’ll connect patients with the services they need, such as transportation, housing assistance, or mental health counseling.
• Outreach: You’ll go out into the community to find people who need healthcare and connect them with the hospital’s services. This could involve setting up health screenings at community events or visiting people in their homes.

Why Hospitals Rock

• Make a difference: You’ll see the impact of your work firsthand as you help patients navigate the healthcare system and improve their health outcomes.
• Variety of roles: Hospitals offer a wide range of CHW positions, so you can find one that matches your interests and skills.
• Room for growth: Many hospitals have career ladders for CHWs, allowing you to advance your career within the organization.

Finding the Right Hospital

Look for hospitals with strong community health programs and a commitment to serving diverse populations. You can find these hospitals by:

• Checking hospital websites for information on their community health initiatives.
• Searching online job boards for CHW positions in hospitals.
• Networking with other CHWs in your area.

2. Government and Non-Profit Organizations

Want to make a big impact on population health? Government and non-profit organizations are where it’s at. These organizations are often on the front lines of public health initiatives, tackling issues like:

• Chronic disease prevention
• Health equity
• Access to care

They rely heavily on community health workers to reach underserved populations and connect them with vital resources.

Where the Jobs Are

• Local health departments: These folks are responsible for protecting the health of their communities. Think immunizations, disease surveillance, and health education programs.
• Non-profits focused on specific health issues: Many non-profits specialize in areas like HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, or substance abuse prevention. They often employ CHWs to provide direct services to clients.
• Community health centers: These centers provide affordable healthcare to people who are uninsured or underinsured. CHWs play a key role in outreach, patient education, and case management.

What’s Cool About This Sector

• Focus on social justice: Many government and non-profit organizations are driven by a mission to address health disparities and promote social justice.
• Opportunities for advocacy: You can be a voice for the community and advocate for policies that improve health outcomes.
• Job security: Government jobs often come with good benefits and job security.

Finding Your Fit

To find CHW positions in this sector:

• Check government websites like USAJOBS.gov
• Visit the websites of non-profits that align with your interests.
• Attend local community health events to network and learn about job openings.

3. Schools and Community Centers

Do you think community health workers only work in hospitals? Think again. Schools and community centers are increasingly recognizing the value of CHWs in promoting the well-being of students and residents.

Making a Difference in Schools

Schools are a hub for kids, and CHWs can help create a healthy learning environment. Here’s how:

• Health education: You might teach kids about nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.
• Connecting families to resources: Many families struggle to access healthcare and social services. CHWs can help bridge that gap.
• Supporting students with chronic conditions: CHWs can help students with asthma, diabetes, or other conditions manage their health at school.

Community Centers: A Hub for Wellness

Community centers bring people together, and CHWs can use this setting to promote health and wellness. You could be involved in:

• Organizing health fairs and screenings
• Leading exercise classes or nutrition workshops
• Providing individual health counseling

Why This Path Rocks

• Preventative care focus: You’ll be working to prevent health problems before they start.
• Building relationships: You’ll have the opportunity to build strong relationships with students, families, and community members.
• Making a difference in the lives of young people: You can help kids develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Finding Your Place

To find CHW positions in schools and community centers:

• Check with your local school district or community center.
• Search online job boards for positions related to youth development or community health.
• Network with organizations that provide services to children and families.

4. Insurance Companies

Surprised to see insurance companies on this list? It might not be the first place you think of, but insurance companies are increasingly hiring community health workers.

Why? Because it’s good for business. By helping people stay healthy, insurance companies can reduce healthcare costs.

What You’ll Do

• Outreach to members: You’ll connect with people who have health insurance through the company and help them understand their benefits.
• Chronic disease management: You’ll support people with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease to manage their health and prevent complications.
• Health education: You’ll provide education on topics like nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

Why Insurance Companies Can Be Cool

• Competitive salaries and benefits: Insurance companies often offer competitive pay and benefits packages.
• Opportunities for advancement: Many insurance companies have career paths for CHWs, allowing you to move into roles with greater responsibility.
• Impact on a large scale: You can help improve the health of a large population of people.

Landing the Job

To find CHW positions with insurance companies:

• Check the career pages of major insurance companies.
• Search online job boards for positions related to health insurance or care coordination.
• Network with people who work in the insurance industry.

5. Faith-Based Organizations

Faith-based organizations play a vital role in many communities, offering support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. They’re also increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing the physical and mental health needs of their members. That’s where community health workers come in.

A Holistic Approach to Health

Faith-based organizations often take a holistic approach to health, considering the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of the individual. CHWs can contribute to this approach by:

• Providing health education: You might lead workshops on topics like stress management, healthy eating, or chronic disease prevention.
• Connecting people to resources: You can help people navigate the healthcare system and access services like mental health counseling or substance abuse treatment.
• Offering support and encouragement: You can provide emotional support and encouragement to people struggling with health challenges.

Why This Path Might Be for You

• Shared values: If you’re passionate about your faith and want to incorporate that into your work, this could be a great fit.
• Strong community connections: Faith-based organizations often have deep roots in the community and can provide a strong support system.
• Meaningful work: You’ll be helping people improve their health and well-being in a way that aligns with their faith and values.

Finding Your Place

To find CHW positions in faith-based organizations:

• Reach out to churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious institutions in your area.
• Network with faith-based community organizations.
• Search online job boards for positions related to faith-based health initiatives.

6. Corporations and Businesses

Wait, corporations? Yep, you read that right. Companies are starting to realize that investing in employee health is good for business. Healthy employees are happier, more productive, and less likely to miss work. That’s where you come in.

The Corporate CHW

As a CHW in a corporate setting, you might find yourself:

• Developing wellness programs: Think health education workshops, on-site fitness classes, and health screenings.
• Providing individual health coaching: You could help employees with weight management, stress reduction, or smoking cessation.
• Creating a culture of health: You’ll be a champion for employee well-being, encouraging healthy habits and creating a supportive environment.

Why This Path is Unique

• Often higher pay: Corporate jobs often come with competitive salaries and benefits.
• Focus on prevention: You’ll be working to prevent health problems before they start, which can be incredibly rewarding.
• Be a wellness innovator: You can help shape the future of workplace wellness programs.

Finding Your Corporate Niche

To find CHW positions in corporations:

• Check the career pages of companies known for their