Community Health
College of Rural Alaska
Bristol Bay Campus (907) 842-5109
Chukchi Campus (907) 442-3400
Interior-Aleutians Campus (907) 474-5439
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Northwest Campus (907) 443-2201
CHA/P Training Centers
Anchorage CHA Training Program, ANMC (907) 729-2427
Norton Sound Health Corporation, Nome (907) 443-3404
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Cons, Sitka (907) 966-8758
Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc., Fairbanks (907) 451-6682, ext. 3688
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., Bethel (907) 543-6160
Certificate; Degree: A.A.S.
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 60 credits; for Certificate: 34 credits
The Community Health Aide/Practitioner (CHA/P) Training Program prepares residents to provide primary health care services in villages, under the supervision of a referral physician. CHA/P employment by a regional health corporation is a prerequisite for entering this unique training program.
The educational program consists of four basic training sessions. Each training session is four weeks long and is followed by a field component in the CHA's village clinic. The curriculum includes the knowledge and skills necessary to provide acute care for common medical problems, emergency care, follow-up care for patients with chronic illnesses and preventive services including prenatal and well child care. The training also includes a state-approved emergency care course, completion of a skills checklist, a supervised clinical preceptorship and passing the CHP statewide examination.
Upon successful completion of all certification requirements, a certificate as a Community Health Practitioner (CHP) is awarded by the training center.
Students completing the training program also meet the requirements for a university certificate, recognizing the credits earned. These credits may be used to satisfy requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree.
The curriculum and certification process is kept uniform throughout the state by a CHAP Academic Review Committee (ARC). This committee has representation from the regional health corporations, training centers and university. ARC reports to the Association of CHAP Program Directors and serves in an advisory role to the Dean of the College of Rural Alaska.
NOTE: For more information about the CHA/P basic training program, please contact one of the CHA/P training centers. For more information about the A.A.S. degree, contact the Kuskokwim Campus, (907) 543-4540.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Community Health -- Certificate
- Basic CHA/P courses are: Credits
CHP 131 -- Community Health Aide, Session I (8 credits)
CHP 132 -- Community Health Aide, Session II (8 credits)
CHP 133 -- Community Health Aide, Session III (8 credits)
CHP 134 -- Community Health Aide, Session IV (8 credits)
CHP 135 -- Community Health Aide, Preceptorship (2 credits)
Total (34 credits)
The above course sequence replaces the CHP 120 series listed in the UAF 1992-93 catalog. The course designator changes represents the addition of a Session IV and the integration of the field experience within each eight-credit session.
Prior to Session I the CHA may have an optional course when regionally available.
CHP 082 -- Community Health Aide, Presession I (2 credits)
Community Health -- A.A.S. Degree
- Complete the following general university and A.A.S. requirements: Credits
ENGL 111X and ENGL 211X, 212 or 213X (6 credits)
COMM 131X or 141X (3 credits)
Mathematics or Natural Science:
A math or natural science course at the 100 level or above (3 credits)
Humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural science or Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
Total (15 credits) - Major Specialty Requirements:
CHP 131 -- Community Health Aide, Session I (8 credits)
CHP 132 -- Community Health Aide, Session II (8 credits)
CHP 133 -- Community Health Aide, Session III (8 credits)
CHP 134 -- Community Health Aide, Session IV (8 credits)
CHP 135 -- Community Health Aide, Preceptorship (2 credits)
Total (34 credits)
Five or more credits from the following 200 level courses:
CHP 203 -- Clinical Update for CHPs (1-3)
CHP 206 -- Mental Health/Substance Abuse (1-3)
CHP 207 -- Maternal and Infant Health (1-3)
CHP 208 -- Communicable Disease (1-3)
CHP 211 -- Health Education (1-3)
CHP 212 -- Diabetes: Primary Prevention and Village Care (1-3)
CHP 215 -- Death and Dying (3)
CHP 220 -- Women's Health: Breast/Cervical Cancer Screening (2)
CHP 250 -- Current Issues in Rural Health Care (1-3)
(May repeat up to 3 credits towards A.A.S. degree.)
CHP 293 -- Special topic courses
EMS -- any 200 level courses
HLTH -- any 200 level courses (5 credits) - Electives (6 credits)
- Total credits (60 credits)