OVERVIEW
What is a Community Health Manager?
Community health managers oversee teams of community health workers. They guide their community members through complex healthcare systems to ensure that all individuals get the support and healthcare they need to thrive.
Individuals in their field may also be called health coaches, community health advisors, health educators, patient navigators, or public health aides. No matter their job title, these individuals all have the same goal—to make healthcare accessible to all communities.
Although they oversee teams of community healthcare workers, they also work on the frontlines of healthcare by providing outreach programs, informational counseling, and social support. Many have degrees that prepare them for this type of role.
Community health is an essential aspect of increasing overall health access in underserved communities that may not have traditional access to medicine and healthcare services. Across all geographic borders, many communities are in desperate need of individuals who can explain and provide basic healthcare necessities.
They lead teams in community, healthcare, government, and social services programs. Individuals who are passionate about healthcare advocacy and education often feel pulled to this position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Community Health Manager Do?
Community health managers may be responsible for a wide range of day-to-day activities. Depending on the needs of their communities, their responsibilities will vary. Some of the most common day-to-day expectations may include:
- Assessing the health needs of individuals within their community
- Organizing community health outreaches
- Leading community health educators in local outreaches
- Providing a network of communication between the community and health care system
- Allowing community access to healthcare translators
- Developing new healthcare strategies to provide better support and resources
- Providing access to basic healthcare services in local communities
- Advocating for local healthcare needs
- Participating in health promotions and health education events
- Assisting community members with community resources and scheduling appointments
- Overseeing addiction prevention and community health improvement programs
- Communicating with local nurses and doctors to provide better community support
As a community health manager, you help provide your community with basic healthcare access. Unfortunately, many communities have barriers that prevent them from maintaining consistent access to healthcare, whether the barrier is poverty, language, or location. All of your day-to-day responsibilities are aimed towards improving access for your community.
Because community needs vary, your job responsibilities will also vary as a manager. Those entering their field should be prepared to adopt responsibilities that may not be listed in their job description.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education and Qualifications Does a Community Health Manager Need?
Many community health managers have a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, health education, or health promotion. This type of bachelor’s degree will give you a solid foundation in understanding healthcare systems and how business strategies are tied to them.
Many management positions will require candidates to have a master’s degree in healthcare administration or an MBA in healthcare management. These advanced degrees will expand your knowledge and understanding about the business side of healthcare, giving you greater insight into leadership, strategy, communication, finances, and more. When determining the right healthcare leadership degree for you, consider your desired role.
When searching for an educational program, you should look for a program that teaches leadership skills, such as business administration paired with health education. Programs should prepare you for real-world experiences and focus on teaching wellness, ethics, and cultural awareness.
Best Degrees for a Community Health Manager
Business
MBA Healthcare Management
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare organizations....
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare organizations.
- Time: WGU lets you set a schedule so you can finish your MBA in just one year.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care improvement
- Service line development
- Healthcare trends
- Health policy and legislation
Healthcare is big business in today's complex economy. Steer your career with this specialty MBA.
Compare online business degrees
This program is not the only online business degree WGU offers that is designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
Health & Nursing
Master of Healthcare Administration
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly...
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly in line with innovations in health and healthcare.
- Time: 60% of grads finish within 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Collaborative Leadership
- Healthcare Models and Systems
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Healthcare Information Technology
Your rich experience in a health-related field can mean more when you bring a master's level of understanding to the problems that organizations need to solve.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Master of Public Health
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for...
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for students who want to make a difference in their community.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Health & Nursing
Public Health - B.S.
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact...
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact your community and make a difference.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 33 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Cognitive psychology
- Public health approaches
- Epidemiology
- Biopsychosocial health models
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Community Health Manager Make?
$49,330
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the annual salary of community health workers is $49,330 per year. The top 10% earn more than $70,790 per year, and the lowest 10% earn less than $28,010 per year. Individuals specializing in health education earn an average of $56,500 per year. Glassdoor lists that the average base pay for community health managers is $66,972 per year, with a high of $84,000 and a low of $59,000. The average salary will vary depending on your education, level of experience, and location.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
9%
The job outlook for community health workers is expected to grow by 13%, according to the BLS. By 2029, the BLS projects more than 17,000 new opportunities to open up in communities around the country. As governments and social service providers focus on reaching underserved communities, the demand for community health workers and managers will increase. Additionally, outside factors such as climate change may affect the layout of public health and make it necessary for community health workers to play more active roles in their areas.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Community Health Manager Need?
Community health managers are highly skilled individuals who are passionate about providing healthcare to underserved communities. Some valuable skills for this position include:
- Cultural competence: You will need cultural competence to understand the various backgrounds of the individuals you will be serving.
- Communication skills: Communication is a vital aspect of the position. You will communicate with patients and community health workers daily.
- Computer skills: As a manager, you will need to organize and analyze data on a computer.
- Empathy: Health workers must have empathy to best serve their patients.
- Clinical skills: You will need to understand how clinics work, both inside and outside of strict healthcare settings.
Those interested in community health should also have problem-solving and leadership skills to help them lead programs and guide individuals and families. Additionally, those who are bilingual will be able to reach a wider audience within their communities.
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