Congrats to PTI!

Practice Transformation Institute (PTI) has received great news! We have been recognized as a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved Community Health Worker (CHW) Program and have received Full Approval! This is wonderful news not only for PTI but for the practice teams, health care organizations, and communities who will benefit from the program that we have worked so hard to develop.

Our Community Health Worker Program teaches the core competency skills and health knowledge necessary to function as a CHW in a variety of community settings. We include information on healthy lifestyles, prevention and screening, and the most common chronic conditions. There is an emphasis on communication and motivational interviewing skills in order to enhance patient interactions. We also focus on the social determinants of health (SDOH) with attention given to health inequities, health literacy, and cultural humility and competency. Lots of great stuff for a potential CHW to learn!

Participants in our program will be eligible to bill for allowable services for Medicaid, Medicare, and BCBSM. Teaching excellence along with our leading-edge curriculum supports the participants in achieving the learning objectives of the program. The program also offers IACET CEUs that are recognized by a wide range of organizations, including professional organizations, regulatory boards, corporations, and universities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of CHWs is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032 with about 8000 openings projected each year over the decade. If you are not yet familiar with CHWs, let us fill you in.

What is a CHW?

• A frontline public health worker who can be the bridge to a healthier community
• An advocate and liaison to connect individuals and families to health care and social services
• A person who has a strong connection to the community in which they serve
• Someone who may share the same ethnicity, race, language, socioeconomic characteristics, cultural, spiritual beliefs, and life experiences as found in the community
• A person who can work in urban or rural environments and with low-income, minority, immigrant, and underserved communities including those with limited English proficiency (LEP)
• A CHW can have diverse job descriptions as well as job titles depending on the organization in which they work

What are the roles of a CHW?

• Support and organize community outreach activities
• Work with state and local social services organizations
• Build trust within the community with access to culturally competent and language appropriate services
• Assist with health insurance enrollment and appropriate use of services
• Navigate the health care system and connect with community resources
• Link with health care providers that are culturally and linguistically competent
• Work as a liaison between health care providers and the community
• Support behavioral health by coaching and the use of motivational interviewing techniques
• Perform health screenings and disease prevention to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities
• Promote understanding and self-management of chronic conditions

Where do CHWs work?

• Assisted living facilities
• Behavioral health organizations
• Community focused organizations, including faith-based organizations
• Health insurance companies
• Legal clinics
• Nursing homes
• Primary care and specialist medical practices
• Public health departments, hospitals, clinics
• Schools
• Senior centers

See PTI’s website for more information on the Community Health Worker Program. We look forward to meeting you.

https://transformcoach.org/learning-solutions/community-health-worker-chw-program/