Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 272 CMR - CERTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, BOARD OF › Title 272 CMR 2.00 - PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS, AND SEVERABILITY › Section 2.02 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
The following terms as used in 272 CMR 2.00 shall have the
				following meanings, unless the context requires otherwise:
Address of Record
. The address
				corresponding to a location where a Certified Community Health Worker receives
				official correspondence as most recently specified:
(a) on the Certified Community Health Worker's application
				form, or
(b) in written notice to the Board pursuant to 272 CMR 3.05:
Responsibilities of a Certified Community Health Worker to the
				Board.
Applicant
. The individual who has
				submitted an application to the Board and seeks certification on his or her own
				behalf.
Board
. The Board of Certification of
				Community Health Workers.
Certificate
. The document issued by
				the Board to qualified applicants pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, §260.
Certification
. The process by which
				the Board grants recognition and use of a credential to individuals who have
				met predetermined and standardized requirements.
Certified Community Health Worker
. An
				individual who holds a certificate as a Community Health Worker issued by the
				Board.
Certified Community Health Worker
				Trainer
. An individual who holds a certificate as a Community
				Health Worker Trainer issued by the Board.
CMR
. Code of Massachusetts
				Regulations.
Community Health Worker
. A public
				health worker who applies his or her unique understanding of the experience,
				language and culture of the populations he or she serves in order to carry out
				one or more of the following roles.
(a) providing culturally appropriate health education,
				information and outreach in community-based settings such as homes, schools,
				hospitals, clinics, shelters, local businesses and community centers;
(b) bridging or culturally mediating between individuals,
				families, communities and Health and Human Services, including actively
				building individual and community capacity;
(c) assuring that community members access the Health and Human
				Services they need;
(d) providing direct services, such as informal counseling on
				access to Health and Human Services, social support, care coordination and
				health screenings;
(e) advocating for individual, family and community needs
				pertaining to access to Health and Human Services; and
(f) additional roles as may be identified by the Board that may
				emerge in the development of Community Health Worker practice.
Community Health Worker Education and Training
				Program
. A stand-alone program of instruction, training and
				experience that is designed specifically to provide the knowledge and skills
				that are essential to community health work.
Complete Application
. A signed
				application form with no omissions and accompanied by all documentation
				specified in the form. An application that does not meet this definition is an
				incomplete application.
Core Competencies
. The overlapping and
				mutually reinforcing skills and knowledge essential for effective community
				health work in core areas, as specified in 272 CMR 5.04(2)(a).
Family Member
. A parent, step-parent,
				sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle,
				niece, nephew or first cousin.
Good Moral Character
. Those virtues of
				an individual which are generally recognized as beneficial to the public
				health, safety and welfare.
Health and Human Services
. A category
				of services that includes:
(a) health insurance programs and coverage;
(b) programs and services offered through government agencies
				including but not limited to offices and departments of local government, the
				Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and corresponding
				federal agencies; and
(c) policies, programs and services that are reasonably related
				to the promotion and protection of human health.
Healthcare Related Practice
. The
				delivery of healthcare services which requires authorization, licensure,
				certification or registration by a governmental licensing or authorizing body,
				including but not limited to services performed by a nurse, certified nursing
				assistant, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, pharmacy intern, dentist, dental
				hygienist, dental intern, dental assistant, physician or physician
				assistant.
M.G.L
. Massachusetts General
				Laws.
Parent Institution
. An entity or
				organization that provides or arranges for the resources and personnel
				necessary to offer and operate a Community Health Worker Education and Training
				Program.