Community Health Specialist
Medical Assistant & Health Sciences
A program that prepares public health specialists to plan and manage health services in local community settings, including the coordination of related support services, government agencies, and private resources.
What Community Health Specialists Do
A program that prepares public health specialists to plan and manage health services in local community settings, including the coordination of related support services, government agencies, and private resources.
Common Tasks
Community Health Workers
- 1Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- 2Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- 3Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- 4Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- 5Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
What You'll Learn
Types of Community Health Specialists
Work Environment
Locations
- • Local and state public health departments
- • Community health centers and clinics
- • Hospitals and health systems
- • Nonprofit community organizations
- • Managed care organizations and insurers
Schedule
Most roles follow a regular weekday schedule, with occasional evenings or weekends for community events, deadlines, or program coverage.
Physical Demands
Work is generally light and includes a lot of sitting for documentation, planning, and reporting, with some standing and walking during outreach or site visits. Physical strain is usually low, but the job can involve frequent computer use and moderate repetitive motions.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 970,899 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand may rise as communities expand preventive care, chronic-disease management, and health education to reduce costs and improve outcomes. Growth in healthcare organizations and public health agencies also increases need for coordinators and managers who can run programs and services.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Direct impact on community health and prevention
- • Strong job growth in healthcare management and public health roles
- • Variety of work (outreach, education, data, coordination)
- • Transferable skills across healthcare, government, and nonprofits
- • Opportunities to advance into program leadership
Cons
- • Can be emotionally demanding when working with high-need populations
- • Funding and staffing can be unstable in grant-based programs
- • Moderate time pressure from reporting and compliance deadlines
- • Significant paperwork and documentation requirements
- • May require travel within the community and occasional off-hours events
Common Questions About the Community Health Specialist Trade
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