Anyone can be a Health Helper, as long as they meet the following requirements:

Age 21 or above

Access to a smartphone

Ability to communicate in English, multiple languages would be an added bonus.

Authorized to work in the U.S. For International Students, you need your school to approve your CPT or OPT.

Must be able to pass a background check

Commitment to arrive at visits on time and excited to provide education and support for others.

All Health Helpers need a valid government issued ID (passport is acceptable for International Students), and payment information to receive direct deposits. You will also need to provide your social security number for background check. Select International Students in the FAQ Category to learn more.

No, you do not. No previous health care training is required. But having health care experience will be helpful.

Your visits will NOT involve anything such as administering medication or hands-on contact.

For International Students, your program must be related to health or technology. If not, your school will not approve your application.

You are free to select the visits that work best for you.

Technology Assistance: Help patients to download and access apps, teach a them how to use video calls to interact with their care teams or family, access their health portal, how to search for health information online and protecting their privacy online.

Family Support: Provide support with appointments and medical appointment preparations.

If the family request, and the Health Helper is ok with it, they can accompany the patient to their hospital appointment. Students who are fluent in multiple languages can use it to help with understanding health information.

Sometimes, it’s to simply be present with the patient so that they are not alone. Some visits may involve assisting with their children.

Nutrition Education Support: Drive a member to the doctor’s office, grocery store, bank, or anywhere they need to go.

Wellness Meetups: Patient speakers will facilitate conversation among the attendees to provide information, peer support and community. Other times, they will facilitate with a health expert.

Health Helpers who have lived experience with health conditions are able to serve as patient speakers. But a patient speaker does not need to be a student.

Kidney Disease Education Support: Help implement the necessary activities to participate in care decisions and planning. Educate and support them to understand their condition and things that will be helpful.

Help with self-management support such as reminding them to take their medication, other helpful activities.

Diabetes Self-Management Support: Support and teach proper blood sugar testing techniques and how to interpret results, hear their concerns and challenges and provide feedback to their doctor. Encourage regular physical activities and engage them considering their fitness level and potential limitations.

Absolutely! This is how true friendships are created. If you and your patient had a great experience, the patient can request that you be their “Preferred Health Helper.”

But you should not be forcing it on patients. It has to be genuine and natural and at the suggestion of patients or their family.

For emergencies needing immediate medical, police, or firefighter assistance, dial 9-1-1. After ensuring your safety, contact HTS Impacts Support via chat in our app to let us know about what happened.

Always follow best practices to protect patients and your own safety. We will always follow-up with you.