Do you have a true and caring concern for your local community and its health outcomes? Consider a career as a health outreach specialist. Outreach specialist jobs focus on community outreach and preventative healthcare, and it is becoming utilized more heavily to help in the promotion of affordable healthcare with positive health outcomes. This rewarding position in community outreach can be a satisfying one for the health care professional that wants to promote and protect health in the community, is self motivated, and seeks to make a positive difference in the population. This exciting field can be very rewarding full time position for anyone with a genuine high level passion for helping communities become healthier. Outreach specialist jobs are important in many capacities, and a career in this field can go in a variety of different directions and may have a varied job description. Consider a full time career as an outreach specialist if you have a strong desire to improve community health outcomes.
What does a health outreach specialist do?
The health outreach specialist works to promote and protect health in the community through education about resources and programs that promote both physical and mental health. This role may include developing and directing programs, supervising employees, developing and managing budgets, marketing programs to the public and community leaders, and collaborating with community organizations. This health education field may have a job description that includes social services and case management along with running and promoting community events. An outreach specialist may split their time, interacting with the community in a variety of outreach initiatives and taking care of more administrative tasks.
Outreach may include programs such as community fitness programs, senior citizen health programs, immunization outreach, mental health, migrant health, and health fairs, to name a few. An outreach specialist may be hired by community health centers, public hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations or health care organizations to engage with the community in public education in health topics and to promote community awareness of health issues in the community such as obesity, sexually transmitted infections, stress, and diabetes, to name just a few. Developing and managing community health programs and tracking outcomes are all part of the role of an outreach specialist in promoting health and wellness in the community.
The community outreach specialist may act as a liaison between the health related organization and the community in developing and implementing needed education and programs. In the role of an outreach specialist, they may provide case management for a short-term need, work with clients who speak other languages and need translation of important information regarding health, and even help in domestic violence cases. These community workers work with a number of programs and organizations to keep informed of eligibility guidelines for programs they refer clients to. This full time work may include social workers that specialize in this area of social work.
What type of education do I need to become an outreach specialist in?
To become an outreach specialist, candidates typically have graduated with a bachelor’s degree at the minimum. Commonly held degrees for people in the outreach specialist role may include communication, community health, general health, education, public relations, health administration, or sociology. People seeking a position as a community outreach specialist may pursue an internship or volunteer in this field to gain needed experience level and develop knowledge and skills, making them a more interesting job candidate.
Although some positions require a bachelor’s degree, some community outreach specialist positions may require candidates to have a master’s degree. Education requirements will depend on what kind of outreach is being done. A Master of Public Health (MPH), a Master of Social Work (MSW) for social workers, or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may be the ticket to getting a job as a community outreach specialist. Degrees such as a master’s degree are helpful, and experience in communication, management, public relations and other areas can all help to build a resume and ensure success in this important job. If you are looking towards a management position, find opportunities that will help develop high levels of relevant skills and possibly certifications that will help you to confidently seek those positions and stand out from other outreach specialists.
The education required for the outreach specialist position also depends on the role to be performed and the organization. In addition, knowing a second language and culture will be an asset in the outreach specialist arena. The degree can be completed in person or online, as long as it’s an accredited program resulting in graduating with a degree. Find a degree program that prepares you for your future success as an outreach specialist, and you’ll be on your way.
What can I expect if I get into a Master of Public Health program?
The MPH is the leading professional terminal degree for practitioners committed to promoting and protecting health in the community. Getting a MPH typically requires completing 40 to 60 credits of advanced graduate courses, and it may take anywhere from one to seven years, depending on whether you are studying full time or part time. Make sure the MPH degree is accredited through the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). Though curricula vary from on-campus to online formats, every MPH teaches the essential practice fundamentals. The MPH core consists of five main disciplines. Many graduate students further specialize in concentrations like community health, nutrition or maternal child health. The culminating experience for MPH students is a thesis research project or a capstone project.
What types of organizations hire outreach specialists?
An outreach specialist can be found working in a wide variety of organizations. Outreach specialists can be found doing community outreach and employed in K-12 school systems, universities, hospitals and other healthcare agencies, government-based health agencies, education organizations, and health advocacy groups. They can be found working in community health centers, federally qualified health centers, medical clinics serving urban and rural communities, and a variety of nonprofit organizations.
Outreach specialists working and doing community outreach in the public school system may teach hygiene or sex education. The outreach specialist may organize a collaborative immunization program in the community. The outreach specialist may set up educational programs in the community, work with migrant workers to help these families get needed health and social services, work with at-risk pregnant women to help them obtain services to promote a healthy pregnancy, help an elderly resident get needed home care, or any number of other things. The bottom line is, the outreach specialist plays an important role in the health of a community.
What type of salaries are expected for outreach specialists?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for workers in this important field was $60,600 in May 2021. That means half of people employed in this profession made more than and half made less than $60,600. Salaries for outreach specialists vary depending on experience, educational background, location, and organization. Salaries in large metropolitan areas typically are higher than they are in more rural areas. Salaries will typically go up as the outreach specialist’s role expands in responsibility, as well as with higher education levels.
What is the job outlook for outreach specialists?
Recent labor statistics show overall employment for outreach specialists is projected to grow about 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, according to BLS.gov. This is much faster than the average expected growth rate for all occupations, which is eight percent.
What kind of work environment does an outreach specialist work in?
Many outreach specialists work full time in offices, but they spend time away from their desks to run programs and attend meetings. An ability to work well communicating with members of the community through community outreach, holding health-related outreach events and other special events, and collecting relevant data to measure health outcomes can happen in offices or other locations around the community. Most outreach specialists work full time, and they may work some evenings or weekends to hold or attend events, programs, or meetings. These professionals working as outreach specialists may work in local, state, or federal government offices; state, local, or private hospitals; family and individual health services; outpatient care centers; religious organizations; and others.
What are the professional organizations for these health professionals?
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is a professional organization for these important health professionals. Their vision to “Create the healthiest nation in one generation”. APHA focuses on the health of people and communities at large, and it promotes scientifically based perspectives to build a healthier society. APHA has an influence on federal policy out of its nearly 150-year perspective. The mission of APHA is to improve the health of the public and achieve equity in health status. APHA’s values reflect the beliefs of their members from all disciplines in this field and over 40 countries. APHA provides professional services to its members, including continuing education, career information, and more.
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a professional nonprofit association representing nearly 4,000 education professionals and students in the United States and 25 countries. SOPHE members work in a wide variety of environments, such as schools; universities; voluntary organizations; healthcare settings; worksites; and local, state, and federal government health agencies. They work to build knowledge and skills to help those in health outreach and other related health and education positions. They work to promote healthy behaviors, communities, and environments while raising awareness of the connection between behavioral sciences, education, health promotion, and the environment.
What characteristics does a community outreach specialist typically have?
Outreach specialists typically have a number of attributes that add to their success in this field. These professionals must possess certain characteristics to be successful in their full time jobs. Outreach specialists and others in the education and health promotion field are alway searching for creative and cost effective ways to protect and promote health. These professionals possess the education, skills, and knowledge needed to carry out their job successfully. They must have excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all kinds of people of varying education levels. Cultural competency is key to reaching people of all cultures and beliefs. Outreach specialists must have an understanding of current health and social issues, and they must be skilled in their ability to help those in need access healthcare.
What certifications might an outreach specialist have?
The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) is the credentialing organization dedicated to maintaining the highest level of competency in the field of health education. NCHEC is the credentialing agency for CHES and MCHES certifications.
The credential of the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), signifies that the credentialed professional has met educational standards, has passed the credentialing examination, and has satisfied continuing education requirements to maintain this national certification.
The MCHES credential for the Master Certified Health Education Specialist means that the person has met academic eligibility, has met professional experience requirements, has passed a comprehensive written examination, and maintains advanced-level continuing education.
Conclusion
If you have a desire to work to promote and protect health in the community through health education, health promotion, program development, and measuring health outcomes, then you may find that working as an outreach specialist may be a satisfying role for you. Now that you have a good understanding of what an outreach specialist does, you may want to investigate further if this is the right job for you to pursue. If you’re planning to pursue an MPH or related degree, speak with your advisor and with career services at your school to get more information about courses that will help in your pursuit of becoming an outreach specialist. This rewarding career may be suitable for you.
By Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES
MPH staff
Carol graduated with her BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and her BSN in Nursing from Rowan University. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) currently working with adults and children living with diabetes in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
Related reading:
- 10 Most Affordable MPH Programs That Don’t Require GRE
- Top 10 Master of Science in Public Health MSPH Degree Programs
- Top 10 MD MPH Programs
- Master’s in Biostatistics Degrees Online