Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Community Health Worker (CHW)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Position Summary
A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. [1]
EMTs provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. [6]
Position Summary
Community Health Worker (CHW)
A CHW is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. [1]
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMTs provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. [6]
Training and Prerequisites
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- Completion of an approved CHW Training Program by the SD Department of Social Services. [2]
- The CHW Agency process will include the process utilized to hire individuals qualified to act as a CHW following certification that the individual has completed the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative basic training, a CHW program approved by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education or the South Dakota Board of Regents, or a CHW training program approved by the State. [3]
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Complete state-approved EMT training program
- Possess a valid CPR certificate
- Qualify the NREMT examination
- 18 years old or older with high school diploma or GED
- Pass criminal background screening [7]
Training and Prerequisites
- Completion of an approved CHW Training Program by the SD Department of Social Services. [2]
- The CHW Agency process will include the process utilized to hire individuals qualified to act as a CHW following certification that the individual has completed the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative basic training, a CHW program approved by the South Dakota Board of Technical Education or the South Dakota Board of Regents, or a CHW training program approved by the State. [3]
- Complete state-approved EMT training program
- Possess a valid CPR certificate
- Qualify the NREMT examination
- 18 years old or older with high school diploma or GED
- Pass criminal background screening [7]
Certificates/Licensure
- No certificate or license is required in SD.
- Must obtain valid South Dakota license through SDDOH. [7]
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician- required to attend a state-approved, competency based training course in addition to the EMT training program. [9]
Certificates/Licensure
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- No certificate or license is required in SD.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Must obtain valid South Dakota license through SDDOH. [7]
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician- required to attend a state-approved, competency based training course in addition to the EMT training program. [9]
Typical Supervisors
- CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]
- Supervised by EMT supervisor, nurse, or physician. [10]
Typical Supervisors
Community Health Worker (CHW)
- CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Supervised by EMT supervisor, nurse, or physician. [10]
Median Hourly Wage (National)
[4],[8]
- Community Health Worker (CHW) – $20.19
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – $17.62