Social Worker (BSW)

Community Health Worker (CHW)

Social Worker (BSW)

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]
Educator, advocate, counselor, case manager, and researcher. [6] Juvenile Court Liaison, probation officer, and human services specialist. [7]

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]

Social Worker (BSW)

Educator, advocate, counselor, case manager, and researcher. [6] Juvenile Court Liaison, probation officer, and human services specialist. [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]
  • Pass designated ASWB exam. [6]
  • Complete at least Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
  • High school diploma or GED before BSW. [7]

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]

Social Worker (BSW)

  • Pass designated ASWB exam. [6]
  • Complete at least Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
  • High school diploma or GED before BSW. [7]

Certificates/Licensure

  • No certificate or license is required in SD.
  • Obtain one of four licenses:
  1. Social Work Associate (SWA)
  2. Social Worker (SW)
  3. Certified Social Worker (CSW)
  4. Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP)
  • Board of Social Work Examiners. [6]

Certificates/Licensure

Community Health Worker (CHW)

  • No certificate or license is required in SD.

Social Worker (BSW)

  • Obtain one of four licenses:
  1. Social Work Associate (SWA)
  2. Social Worker (SW)
  3. Certified Social Worker (CSW)
  4. Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP)
  • Board of Social Work Examiners. [6]

Typical Supervisors

  • CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]
  • Supervised by MSW. [9]

Typical Supervisors

Community Health Worker (CHW)

  • CHWs are primarily supervised by a clinic manager, nursing manager, or other organizational manager. [5]

Social Worker (BSW)

  • Supervised by MSW. [9]

Median Hourly Wage (National)

[4],[8]

  • Community Health Worker (CHW) – $20.19
  • Social Worker (BSW) – $24.88

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Sources