Hiring CHWs in California — A Simple Guide for Clinics and Community Programs

Why CHWs Are Becoming a Must-Have

CHWs support engagement, navigation, and follow-through—especially when patients face barriers like transportation, food access, housing instability, or language access. When the care plan meets real life, outcomes improve and teams feel more supported.

What a Well-Scoped CHW Role Looks Like

A strong CHW position typically includes:

• Outreach and engagement (building trust, not just reminders)

• Navigation (appointments, referrals, follow-ups)

• Resource coordination (food, housing, benefits, transportation)

• Health education reinforcement (within scope)

• Documentation and care team communication

Common Hiring Mistake: “CHW = Everything”

CHWs are most effective when the role is defined clearly.

Avoid job descriptions that combine:

• Case management (licensed scope varies)

• Social work duties

• Full clinical education responsibilities

• Intake, scheduling, and admin-heavy workload with no time for outreach

What to Look for in CHW Candidates

Core competencies that matter:

• Strong communication and professionalism

• Cultural humility and trust-building

• Ability to document clearly

• Comfort with referral workflows and follow-up

• Boundaries and ethical decision-making

Nice-to-have (but trainable):

• Motivational interviewing basics

• SDOH screening and resource navigation

• Experience in outreach or community programs

Implementation Checklist (Copy/Paste)

• Assign a supervisor and define escalation workflows

• Create documentation templates (notes, follow-up logs)

• Identify your top resource categories and partners

• Decide how success will be measured (e.g., follow-up rates, appointment adherence, engagement)