Each population and community has different needs. Additionally, each organization that employs a community health worker (CHW) will have its own mission, visions, and values that CHWs are expected to embrace and follow. It is good for CHWs to a have a foundational toolbox that they can pull from while still being sure to develop their own style in supporting community residents.
After reviewing the different responsibilities and attributes presented in this unit, put yourself in the shoes of a community health worker. Discuss two additional responsibilities and/or attributes not covered in the lesson or textbook and why you believe these are important to the role and success of a CHW.
ANSWER THE ABOVE DISCUSSION QUESTION AND REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS EACH)
CLASSMATE’S POST
This chapter covered many different responsibilities and attributes of a CHW. One of the attributes I do not see is empathy. It is also the responsibility of the CHW to continue to educate themselves on the most current programs and guidelines. Many times, it will be important to show empathy to our clients and not get it confused with sympathy. We can carefully listen to the client to help us understand their needs. We currently give a personality test and have classes that are geared to learning our personality and styles of communication. This is helpful, as I learned I have a personality that likes to take care of people. Certain ethical situations were presented in the reading material such as buying clients food. I understand how the CHW felt, yet also know that learning how to communicate based on your personality style is important. We constantly have situations where applicants need rides to the front gate, but we cannot provide transportation in our personal vehicles. We either call the recruiter to have them fix the issue or we will have to drive to the gate alone to sponsor their ride onto base. Then walk the applicant out and follow them back off base to make sure they left. As much as a nuisance as this it, especially when we are extremely busy, it is important to follow the guidelines. I feel bad at times because they will have to wait a long period of time before we are free to sponsor their ride, however it is more important not to put ourselves in an unethical situation.
After reviewing the different responsibilities and attributes presented in this unit, put yourself in the shoes of a community health worker. Discuss two additional responsibilities and/or attributes not covered in the lesson or textbook and why you believe these are important to the role and success of a CHW.
ANSWER THE ABOVE DISCUSSION QUESTION AND REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS EACH)
CLASSMATE’S POST
This chapter covered many different responsibilities and attributes of a CHW. One of the attributes I do not see is empathy. It is also the responsibility of the CHW to continue to educate themselves on the most current programs and guidelines. Many times, it will be important to show empathy to our clients and not get it confused with sympathy. We can carefully listen to the client to help us understand their needs. We currently give a personality test and have classes that are geared to learning our personality and styles of communication. This is helpful, as I learned I have a personality that likes to take care of people. Certain ethical situations were presented in the reading material such as buying clients food. I understand how the CHW felt, yet also know that learning how to communicate based on your personality style is important. We constantly have situations where applicants need rides to the front gate, but we cannot provide transportation in our personal vehicles. We either call the recruiter to have them fix the issue or we will have to drive to the gate alone to sponsor their ride onto base. Then walk the applicant out and follow them back off base to make sure they left. As much as a nuisance as this it, especially when we are extremely busy, it is important to follow the guidelines. I feel bad at times because they will have to wait a long period of time before we are free to sponsor their ride, however it is more important not to put ourselves in an unethical situation.
