Community health is the overall health level of a geographically or culturally defined group of people. It is significantly impacted by a host of non-medical factors. These factors include access to safe housing and transportation, education level and literacy skills, the availability of jobs, the prevalence of violence, environmental conditions (e.g., pollution), and opportunities for physical activity.
As such, when health professionals study and work to improve community health, they address issues impacting people’s wellbeing in many areas of their lives. Individuals interested in career advancement and serving as a liaison between a community and much-needed health/social services should consider pursuing a master’s in public health and becoming a community health manager.
What Does a Community Health Manager Do?
A community health manager coordinates health and wellness strategies with several community agencies and health organizations. They identify various issues that may create roadblocks to optimal health and wellbeing, from food or housing insecurity to a lack of access to healthcare facilities. They develop solutions that can mitigate the damage — or even eradicate the issues — and review existing strategies to ensure their effectiveness. Community health managers may oversee a team or teams of community health workers to help execute their strategies.
Additionally, community health managers typically handle some of the administrative functions involved with community health. This can include coordinating the care of individuals and maintaining vital documentation. They may also work with individuals in person via home healthcare visits.
Community health managers can work in various environments, including clinics and hospitals, outpatient care centers, nonprofit groups, nursing care facilities, and government agencies. These different work environments may impact the specific duties associated with the role. Regardless of location, the core functions of being a community health advocate make it easier for people to access the tools and resources they may need to improve and maintain their health and overall sense of wellbeing.
How to Become a Community Health Manager
There are a few steps an aspiring community health manager can take to prepare for and succeed in the role, mostly centered around education and experience.
Education Requirements
As someone operating at the managerial level, a professional in this role must generally earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field such as nutrition, health science, health informatics, or public health. These degrees enable individuals to establish a foundational knowledge of community health.
However, earning an advanced degree such as a master’s in public health may be required for some positions and can make candidates stand out in competitive markets. Early- and mid-career professionals pursuing this advanced degree can amplify their existing health and medical knowledge with an understanding of public health theory, strategy, communication, advocacy, and more.
Gaining Experience
In addition to earning a degree, gaining experience in a community health-related position like researcher, health educator, or wellness consultant is essential to becoming a community health manager. Such roles allow individuals to see their knowledge turned into action and understand how different aspects of community health function. This understanding can make it easier for individuals who ascend to a community health manager role to build holistic health and wellbeing strategies.
Gaining experience in the field can also help individuals hone the specific skills considered essential for the community health manager role. These include clinical competency, health education, and other hard skills, as well as soft skills like communication, advocacy, collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, data analysis, and other areas. Because the role involves interaction with community members, it is also important for community health managers to have a well-developed sense of empathy and cultural competency.
Community Health Manager Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services (BLS) data from May 2023, social and community service managers make a median annual salary of $77,030. Those working with local government agencies were paid at the higher end of the scale, while those working in nursing homes and residential care facilities earned less.
The BLS estimates a growth rate of 8 percent for social and community service managers from 2023 to 2033. That is double the average growth rate for all occupations and is powered by the aging population in the U.S., which has a greater need for social and health services.
Make a Lasting Difference as a Community Health Manager
By knocking down barriers to health care, advocating for positive changes in the community, and engaging community members in their own healthcare decisions, community health managers help improve the overall quality of life and wellbeing of the individuals they serve.
Tulane University’s Online Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares aspiring community health managers to be leaders in the field. The program can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need with a combination of self-paced coursework and live sessions that enable discussions and exercises. It also offers the opportunity to apply your knowledge in the field through a supervised practicum.
Learn how Tulane’s Online MPH can help guide you toward a fulfilling career of helping others.
Recommended Readings
Community Needs Assessment Survey: Examples and Overview
How Public Health Internships Can Advance Your Career
Public Health Program Evaluation Explained
Sources:
American Hospital Association Center for Health Innovation, Community Health and Well-being
American Public Health Association, Community Health Workers
Indeed, “Degree in Community Health: Types, Career Paths and Skills”
North Colorado Health Alliance, Community Health Care Manager
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers