Skip to content

Community Health Worker

Community Health Worker – 16-week class

Program Description
The Community Health Worker (CHW) program is a 16-week, non-credit program that combines 128 hybrid classroom hours with 60 service learning hours. The classroom instruction covers topics such as the role of community health workers, public health, chronic disease management, mental health, health outreach, community organizing and advocacy, client-centered counseling, conducting client interviews, care management, and home visits. The service learning experience provides individuals with the opportunity to learn and participate in resource gathering, networking and outreach, and job shadowing.

Eligibility Requirements
Enrollment in the CHW program is highly selective and seats fill quickly. All candidates that apply will be required to:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Demonstrate academic and career readiness
  • Demonstrate passion for community health work

Applicants may also be required to:

  • Register with MO Family Care Safety Registration (if required for service learning)
  • Submit an employer commitment letter (if completing as part of employment)

Technology Requirements
The CHW program is fully online. Students will need the following technology to participate in the program.

  • Desktop or laptop computer with an updated operating system (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux). NOTE: Cell phones will not be sufficient for completing the coursework requirements in this program.
  • Webcam and microphone.
  • Reliable, high-speed internet connection.
  • Updated Internet browser (Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox).
  • Adobe Reader or alternative PDF reader (free).
  • Microsoft Office. NOTE: Students have access to MS Office 365 with their student email.

Program Cost
Grant funding is available for those selected.

Program Location
Online

Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is not Federal Aid/Pell Eligible.

Upon Successful Completion
Candidates are eligible to apply for the Community Health Worker credential through the Missouri Credentialing Board.

Interested in becoming a Community Health Worker?
Fill out our online application to get started.

Electrical Training

Electrical Power – 36 contact hours

Focusing on industrial applications, the electrical power course provides an introduction to electricity, along with general standards, practices, and safety precautions. The course also provides a basic understanding of electrical measurements, series circuits, parallel circuits, conductors, OCPD’s, circuit connections, magnetism, solenoids, transformers, power distribution systems, three-phase motors, troubleshooting electric motors, motor starters, motor protection, motor controls, reversing three-phase motors, and troubleshooting motor controls.

Electrical Applications – 36 contact hours

Concentrating on integrated systems, the electrical applications course begins with discussion of electrical terminology and basic circuits, electrical symbols and diagrams, test instruments, and workplace electrical safety. Students will also gain a basic understanding of control logic and mechanical input devices, solenoids, electromechanical relays, DC and AC generators, transformers, contacts and magnetic starters, DC and AC motors, timing and counting functions, torque and power quality, semiconductors, programmable controllers, smart grid power distribution, and both preventative and predictive maintenance practices.

Mechanical Wiring I – 24 contact hours

A study of basic AC electrical terminology and applications. Emphasis will be placed on practical application of electricity in the workplace. Terminology and applications will be discussed in the classroom and applied in the lab through various laboratory exercises.

The course focuses on AC voltages, series and parallel circuits, grounded conductors, grounding conductors, phase conductors, branch circuit conductors, rubber cords and cables, multi-meters, wiring methods, wiring materials, breakers, fuses, breaker panels, disconnect switches, power equation, and calculating voltage drop.

Laboratory exercises shall consist of using an amp-volt-resistance meter; wiring single pole, three-way, four-way, and dimmer switches; wiring convenience and ground-fault outlets, lighting fixtures, panel boxes; and other similar exercises.

Mechanical Wiring II – 24 contact hours

A study of motors, motor starters, motor controls, and control circuits applicable to the industrial environment. The course focuses on motor characteristics, motor troubleshooting, magnetic starters, magnetic starter troubleshooting, sizing motor over current protection devices, thermal overloads, motor branch and feeder circuits, equipment grounding, raceway sizing, relays, timers, and control circuits.

Lab exercises shall include how to decipher manufacturer identification and requirements, troubleshooting motors and magnetic starters, wiring momentary contact buttons, selector switches, timers, start/stop buttons, relays, and starters.

Maintenance and Production

Tech Prep – 36 contact hours

The Technical Preparation course discusses AC/DC circuitry basics, electrical measurements, and transformer operation. The course continues with basic troubleshooting along with the basic understanding of safety practices, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and the “Lockout/Tagout” process.

Industrial Production Technician – 96 contact hours/28 out of class hours

The series introduces fundamentals required for a position as production technician. Students will learn the basics of AC/DC circuitry used in the industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential fields. Topics consist of basic electronics circuit calculation, measurements, and analysis, along with an understanding of inductance and capacitance, and transformer operation. Discussion continues with operation, adjustment, and troubleshooting of electronic components using an oscilloscope, basic knowledge of machine electrical control circuits, pneumatics, mechanical drives (belts, chains, couplings, gears, and transmissions), and the use of portable measurement tools. The course concludes with familiarization of technical drawings, safety practices, the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), the “Lockout/Tagout” process and basic hydraulics.

Fluid Power/Hydraulics – 36 contact hours

Fluid power/hydraulics introduces hydraulic power use and application, allowing learners to develop skills and knowledge needed to apply hydraulics in modern industry. It takes learners through key topics and skills in hydraulic power & safety, hydraulic circuits, hydraulic schematics, the principles of hydraulic pressure and flow, and hydraulic speed/pressure control circuits. It covers pumps, fluid friction, hydraulic circuit connection and configuration, hydraulic cylinders and valves (including needle valves), and a wide array of hydraulic applications.

Hydraulics/Pneumatics – 36 contact hours

The Hydraulics/Pneumatics course combines the hydraulics course and prepares learners to work intelligently in industry with hydraulic and pneumatic applications. It introduces hydraulic and pneumatic power and takes learners through key topics and skills in hydraulic power & safety, hydraulic circuits, hydraulic schematics, the principles of hydraulic pressure and flow, and hydraulic speed/pressure control circuits. It covers pumps, fluid friction, how to connect hydraulic circuits, hydraulic cylinders and valves. The course then goes on to discuss pneumatic power & safety, pneumatic cylinder and motor circuits, pneumatic schematics, and speed control circuits. The course covers pressure regulation, air filtration, pneumatic circuit connection, pneumatic cylinders, valves, and actuators, pressure and cylinder force, pneumatic leverage, pressure and volume, and air flow resistance and the many uses of pneumatic applications in the industrial environment.

SPC – Statistical Process Control/Quality Fundamentals – 12 contact hours

This course introduces current and future quality professionals to the fundamentals of process control with the goal of improving the effectiveness and productivity applicable to a multitude of manufacturing processes. Students will discuss the importance of maintaining a quality workforce, tools for improving productivity and quality, and overseeing processes with a statistical mindset. The course continues to develop SPC tools by introducing control charts outlining distribution and quality control along with specific techniques to gauge quality and ultimate capability in an industrial environment. Students should be familiar with technical mathematics and be comfortable calculating quality variations.

Programming/Design

Blueprint Reading – 24 contact hours

This course is an introduction to print reading through a study of the fundamental skills and concepts involved in reading, sketching, and interpreting mechanical drawings. The course concentrates on teaching students the language of industry, measurement tools, reading a steel rule, orthographic projections, shop mathematics, understanding specific dimensions and tolerances of pictorial drawings. The course concludes with an overview of specific sheet metal, welding, and plastic prints along with deciphering drawn gears, splines, and serrations.

AutoCad Level I – 12 contact hours

This course covers the essential topics for working with AutoCad and the introduction of a few basic tools that enable the student to create and edit a simple drawing. Students will then learn and continue to develop a more thorough knowledge of AutoCad while more advanced tools are introduced. Not every command or option is covered, because the intent is to show the most essential tools and concepts.

AutoCad Level II

This course is designed for the experienced AutoCad user who requires additional training. This intermediate-level course continues to build on the basic concepts of the AutoCad Essentials course. It incorporates the features, commands, and techniques for becoming more productive when creating, annotating, and printing drawings with AutoCad. Hands on exercises throughout the course explore how to create production drawings and are provided in both print format and onscreen format that can be viewed next to AutoCad. This course is designed for the experienced user who wants to further their knowledge. Skills include, using more advanced editing and construction techniques, adding parametric constraints to objects, creating local and global books, setting up layers, styles, and templates, and using advanced plotting and publishing options.

Solidworks – 12 contact hours

This course teaches students how to use the Solidworks mechanical design automation software to build parametric models of parts and assemblies, and how to make drawings of those parts and assemblies. We discuss advanced part molding and teach you how to use multibody solids, sweeping and lofting features, and the more advanced shaping capabilities of Solidworks. Next, the course teaches you how to build sheet metal parts using Solidworks mechanical design automation software. Building stand-alone sheet metal parts, and converting conventional parts to sheet metal, including in assembly context, are covered. The final module provides an understanding of piping and tubing and explains how to create, edit and manage routes from the critical routing components and their design requirements to the subassemblies.

Safety Training

10-hour OSHA Training

This is a voluntary program through which OSHA authorizes trainers to teach general industry occupational safety and health standards. At the end of the course, attendees will be given a card specifying completion of the course. This course could be followed up with the OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Training.

OSHA requires the following topics be covered:

  • Introduction to OSHA (includes Occupational Safety & Health)
  • General Duty Clause and Inspection, Citations, and Penalties
  • Walking and Working Surfaces
  • Means of Egress and Fire Protection
  • Electrical

Choose from the following additional areas to complete the 10-hours:

  • Personal Protective Equipment Machine Guarding
  • Hazard Communication
  • Safety and Health Programs
  • Safety & Health Programs
  • Flammable and Combustible Liquids
  • Introduction to Industrial Hygiene/Blood Borne Pathogens/Ergonomics

30-hour OSHA Training

This is a voluntary program through which OSHA authorizes trainers to teach general industry occupational safety and health standards. At the end of the course, attendees completing the course will be given a card specifying course completion. This course is intended for supervisors, managers, and other employees who have responsibility in overseeing an occupational health and safety program.

OSHA Designated Training Topics: (comprises 24 of the 30 hours)

  • Introduction to OSHA (includes Occupational Safety & Health Act/General Duty)
  • Hazardous Materials (Flammable and Combustible Liquids) (2 hours)
  • Clause and Inspection, Citations, and Penalties) (3 hours)
  • Electrical & Safety Related Work Practices (2 hours)
  • Means of Egress and Fire Protection (2 hours)
  • Walking and Working Surfaces (2 hours)
  • Safety and Health Programs (1 hour)
  • Confined Spaces (2 hours)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (1 hour)
  • Lockout/Tagout (2 hours)
  • Record keeping (1 hour)
  • Machine Guarding (2 hours)
  • Welding, Cutting, & Brazing (1 hour)
  • Hazard Communication (2 hours)
  • Materials Handling (1 hour)

For the remaining class time you may select any other general industry standards or policies and/or expand on the required topic coverage.

Workshops and Seminars

Main Campus
2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer Office Hours (June and July): Monday – Thursday,
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

P: (877) 879-8722 View all locations