CHN Core Competencies

CHNs must possess a set of skills, knowledge, and traits to be successful in their role. While prospective CHNs are screened for characteristics that would support their work, the core competencies are acquired during the core training period.

Core Health & System Knowledge

  • Good understanding of available health services in local community

    • Community facilities and programs

    • Urgent care

    • Community clinics

    • Pharmacy services

    • Allied health services

    • Expert knowledge of Primary Care Network services

    • Good understanding of the Patient Medical Home 

    • Competent in using healthcare translation/interpretation services

    • Expert knowledge of referral processes within PCN and external organizations 

    • Ability to educate patients and families on the medical home model, multidisciplinary team care, and the role each member of the care team plays

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    • Basic knowledge of medical terminology  

    • Basic understanding of how specific physical and mental health conditions affect a person’s wellbeing and lifestyle 

    • Expert knowledge of the role of CHNs in supporting patients  

    • Deep understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health iption text goes here

    • Expert knowledge of where patients can access trusted health-related information, and ability to guide/help them in doing so 

    • Expert knowledge of medical and community resources 

    • Ability to provide basic education on the impact of behaviours on health

    • Ability to understand and interpret a care plan provided by a clinical team  escription text goes here

    • Knowledge of, and ability to set, boundaries with physicians and health professionals 

    • Knowledge of, and ability to set, boundaries with patients 

    • Knowledge of role boundaries when supporting patient’s health cription

    • Ability to engage in patient advocacy  

    • Knowledge of patient rights  

    • Knowledge of barriers preventing patients from receiving best care 

    • Understanding of their role in patient advocacy 

    • Ability to educate patients on how to communicate their preferences to their medical team and other professionals, and to advocate for themselves

    • Expert knowledge of community resources and their referral processes 

    • Expert knowledge of health promotion resources and their referral processes 

    • Good understanding of government resources 

    • Expert knowledge of food security resources 

    • Knowledge of financial resources and income security  

Relationship & Communication Skills

    • Ability to perform Motivational Interviewing 

    • Knowledge of client values and goal setting 

    • Strong understanding of Stages of Change model 

    • Comprehension of the Role of CHNs in motivating change 

    • Ability to build trusting relationships with patients using empathy, integrity, and honesty 

    • Ability to engage in active listening 

    • Ability to communicate effectively with CHN team 

    • Capacity for reflection, self-awareness, and self-location 

    • Written and spoken communication 

      • Ability to use language in ways that engage and motivate 

      • Ability to communicate using plain and clear language 

      • Ability to communicate with all involved parties

      • Conflict resolution skills and ability to work with challenging patients/care providers 

    • Networking 

      • Ability to communicate effectively with medical professionals/physicians/MDT

      • Ability to communicate effectively with community members/organizations 

    • Knowledge of, and ability to engage in, stress management and self-care 

    • Ability to develop self-efficacy in patients via a strengths-based approach and positive reinforcement

    • Ability to provide choices and encourage engagement in health promotion behaviors via motivational interviewing 

    • Ability to encourage patient to be the driver of their care plan, promoting their role as the key member of their health care team 

    • Ability to support patient adherence to care plan 

    • Strong awareness of self and personal biases 

    • Strong knowledge of, and belief in harm reduction, including understanding of differences between harm reduction and harm promotion 

    • Ability to engage patients with a non-judgmental approach 

    • Strong awareness of Trauma Informed Care 

    • Understanding of Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue 

    • Certified in Mental Health First Aid 

    • Certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) 

    • Certified in First Aid/CPR 

    • Certified in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 

    • Practice cultural humility

      • Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity Training (Calgary Centre for Sexuality) 

      • Cultural Diversity Training (CCIS) 

Operational & Professional Practice

    • Expert knowledge of organizational policies and procedures 

    • Expert knowledge of other staff roles within the organization

      • Assessment 

      • Ability to assess and prioritize patient needs 

      • Ability to assess readiness to change 

      • Ability to assess personal safety and home visit plan 

      • Ability to assess safety of patient (e.g., knowledge of elder abuse, domestic violence, etc.) 

      • Ability to shift focus based on patient feedback 

    • Care coordination 

      • Capable of providing care coordination with the health care team 

      • Ability to provide follow-up and support referrals made by health care team 

    • Ability to address barriers to services

      • Able to help navigate transportation options to access services 

    • Ability to conduct safe and effective home visits 

    • Knowledge of CHN processes

    • Ability to document daily activities and complete other records 

    • Ability to navigate and input data into organizational database

    • Adherence to ethical principles 

    • Compliant with relevant laws, policies and regulations 

    • Ability to utilize technologies required for CHN role (e.g., cell phones, computers, computer software such as Microsoft Office, Zoom, etc.)  

    • Knowledge of personality dimensions and personal work style 

    • Comprehension of personal versus professional values 

    • Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

    • Ability to effectively work remotely and in person

    • Ability to problem-solve and critically think 

    • Strong abilities to self-motivate 

    • Ability to seek support from management or team 

    • Desire to create learning goals and follow through on learning goals 

    • Desire to improve practice by keeping up to date on current trends 

    • Ability to seek learning opportunities 

    • Able to create a culture of respect for gender and sexual diversity 

    • Cultural competence 

      • Have knowledge of own culture and its impact on relationship styles 

      • Gain knowledge of other cultures; understanding of different ways of viewing health and wellness, different interaction styles, and various barriers to care 

      • Have knowledge of, and ability to use, culturally appropriate resources