By Any Other Name?
Before the US Department of Labor established a unique standard occupational classification (SOC) for CHWs (SOC #21-1094) many employers gave their CHWs titles based on the needs of the organization or based on the tasks the CHW was expected to perform. Over the years, this led to a myriad of titles under which CHWs functioned. More importantly, it led to much confusion amongst CHWs themselves and their employers about the identity, character and scope of practice of CHWs.
Following are some of the titles under which CHWs function:
| Care Coordinator | Addiction Treatment Specialist |
| Case Worker | Asthma Educator |
| Community Follow-Up Worker | Asthma Family Support Worker |
| Community Health Advisor | Case Management Technician |
| Community Health Advocate | Diabetes Family Support Worker |
| Community Health Outreach Worker | HIV/AIDS Family Support Worker |
| Counselor | Mental Health Aide |
| Cultural Interpreter | Natural Researcher |
| Cultural Mediator | Nutrition Advisor |
| Eligibility Worker | Nutrition Educator |
| Family Advocate | Pre-Perinatal Health Specialists |
| Family Support Worker | Outreach Worker |
| Health Advocate | Patient Navigator |