MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College Health and Public Services has a new course offering that can land students in the promising healthcare profession. Healthy Living is the first course in a five-part series kicking off in January 2024 and culminating with a Community Health Worker (CHW) non-credit certificate of completion, positioning students for a career helping others to understand and take ownership of their healthcare.
“If someone is interested in what healthy living looks like or what it means, this is the course for them,” says Director of Human Services Programs Lori Howell. “It will help an individual set a strong foundation for their own well-being by exploring what health looks like and the various ways to gain and maintain well-being.”
Additionally, students who complete all five courses in the series will receive a Community Health Worker non-credit certificate of completion. Community Health Workers assist community members with navigating the healthcare system and getting them access to the resources they need. For many, a Community Health Worker certificate marks a starting point for a career in healthcare.
“If someone is interested in becoming a Community Health Worker, this is the course for them,” Howell says. “If you want to assist others with their healthcare, one must first understand what health and wellness mean to those from various cultures and backgrounds, so you can bring that knowledge into your working relationships.”
Community Health Workers work with the local healthcare system in both rural and urban environments. For example, they assist those under long-term care of a doctor due to chronic illness.
“This saves community members a great deal of time, money and stress,” Howell says. “It also reduces the stress on a limited healthcare system, and community members will also benefit by the increased knowledge of their own health gained from working with their assigned CHW.”
The Healthy Living course consists of instruction on both Fridays and Saturdays. The Friday, online class, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., will see live discussion of the week’s objectives in preparation for Saturday’s in-person class on the Lake Havasu Campus. On Saturdays, from 1 – 5 p.m., students will focus on active learning and material engagement.
“For those planning to complete the certificate, this first course will serve as a foundation for the other courses, building a full repertoire of knowledge, skills and attitudes to assist community members,” Howell says.
Healthy Living kicks off on Friday, Jan. 12. For more information on the class, series or other MCC Community Education offerings, go to ce.mohave.edu and click on Certificate Programs.