Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-16-802 - Community Health Workers Eligibility and Scope of Practice

A. An individual may provide community health services in Arizona without obtaining certification as a certified CHW specified in this Article.

B. An individual is eligible to practice as a certified CHW, if the individual:

1. Is 18 years of age or older;

2. Has at least a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma;

3. Has documentation of:

a. Nine hundred and sixty hours of paid or volunteer experience providing CHR or CHW services in the core competencies specified in this Article and completed during the previous three-year time-period:

i. In a licensed health care facility;

ii. In the service of a licensed health care provider specified in A.R.S. § 32-3201(2), including licensed behavioral health care providers specified in A.R.S. § 32-3251(8); or

iii. In the service of a contractor providing CHR or CHW services under A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 29, Article 1 specified in A.R.S. § 36-765.02(C);

b. Completing a CHW certificate program, including core competencies, provided by an accredited college, and 480 hours of paid or volunteer CHR or CHW experience completed during the previous three years;

c. Completing a CHW training program provided by an organization or certified CHW trainer, including core competencies and 480 hours of paid or volunteer CHR or CHW experience completed during the previous three years; or

d. Completing a CHR National Training Program for:

i. Basic training certification and 480 hours of paid or volunteer CHR or CHW experience completed during the previous three years; or

ii. Advanced training certification and 380 hours of paid or volunteer CHR or CHW experience completed during the previous three years; and

4. Completes an initial CHW application.

C. A certified CHW's scope of practice includes:

1. Providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and health and social systems;

2. Providing culturally appropriate health education and information;

3. Providing care coordination, case coordination and system navigation;

4. Providing coaching and social support;

5. Advocating for individuals and communities;

6. Building individual and community capacity;

7. Providing direct services;

8. Implementing individual and community assessments;

9. Conducting outreach; and

10. Participating in evaluation and research.

D. In addition to core competencies specified in R9-16-801(16), a CHW's roles and activities may include:

1. Diabetes education;

2. Disease intervention;

3. Nutrition, specifically food preparation and purchasing;

4. Parenting education;

5. Community wellness partner;

6. Connect clients to health education and community resources;

7. Blood pressure education;

8. Delivery of medical supplies and equipment to assist client's needs;

9. Outreach to clients who are out of care;

10. Hearing and vision screenings; and

11. Other similar health and social services provided on behalf of a health and behavioral health service providers.

E. A certified CHW shall not provide physical health services or behavioral health services to a client.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-16-802

New section made by final rulemaking at 28 A.A.R. 2552, effective 11/7/2022.