Career Overview
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Also Known As
- Community Health Outreach Worker
- Community Health Program Coordinator
- Community Health Promoter
- Community Nutrition Educator
Alternate Job Titles
- Apprise Counselor
- Behavioral Health Advocate
- Behavioral Health Worker (BHW)
- Benefits Outreach Specialist
- Community Development Coordinator
- Community Health Advisor
- Community Health Advocate
- Community Health Agent
- Community Health Assistant
- Community Health Counselor
- Community Health Navigator
- Community Health Outreach Worker
- Community Health Program Coordinator
- Community Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep)
- Community Health Promoter
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
- Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Coordination
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Empathy
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Optimism
- Social Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Apple macOS
- Google Workspace software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom
Tools & Equipment
- Automated blood pressure cuffs
- Blood glucose monitoring equipment
- Computer ink jet printers
- Computer laser printers
- Emergency first aid kits
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Manual blood pressure cuffs
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Passenger cars
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,930 |
| Median | $51,030 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $78,560 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 60,730
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Health Education Specialists
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $63,000
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $60,060
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $58,570
Rehabilitation Counselors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $46,110
Healthcare Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $68,090
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.