OVERVIEW
DEFINITIONS
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
RULES
INFOGRAPHICS
TRADITIONAL HEALTH WORKER:
A Traditional Health Worker (THW) is a public health worker that either works in a clinical or community setting to support the quadruple aim of health while ensuring the promotion of health equity. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has categorized THWs into 5 categories. They include Community Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, Peer Wellness Specialist, Personal Health Navigator, and Birth Doula.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER:
A Community Health Worker is a front line public health worker who is a trusted member of and / or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST:
A Peer Support Specialist is an individual who provides supportive services to a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment.
PEER WELLNESS SPECIALIST:
A Peer Wellness Specialist is an individual who has lived experience with psychiatric condition(s) plus intensive training, who works as part of a person-driven, health home team, integrating behavioral health and primary care to assist and advocate for individuals in achieving well-being.
PERSONAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR:
A Personal Health Navigator is an individual who provides information, assistance, tools and support to enable a patient to make the best care decisions.
BIRTH DOULA:
A Birth Doula is a birth companion who provides personal, non-medical support to women and their families throughout a woman’s pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum experience.
Click here to see the below Oregon Administrative Rules for Traditional Health Workers.
Introduction to THW – Defines a Traditional Health Worker and the various types of Traditional Health Workers that are recognized by Oregon Health Authority
The Scope of Practice – Details the scope of practice of each of the 5 broad categories of Traditional Health Workers (THWs)
THW Pamphlet – Introduction to Traditional Health Workers (THWs), certification, OHA approved training programs, high-level scope of practice
