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Community health representative vs outreach specialist

The differences between community health representatives and outreach specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a community health representative, becoming an outreach specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an outreach specialist has an average salary of $41,863, which is higher than the $35,410 average annual salary of a community health representative.

The top three skills for a community health representative include customer service, patients and medicaid. The most important skills for an outreach specialist are customer service, patients, and social work.

Community health representative vs outreach specialist overview

Community Health RepresentativeOutreach Specialist
Yearly salary$35,410$41,863
Hourly rate$17.02$20.13
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs67,04646,523
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4343
Years of experience412

What does a community health representative do?

A community health representative is responsible for determining the health concerns of the community people and coordinating with officials and organizations to address these needs. Community health representatives facilitate health programs and activities within the community, implementing quality health services to maintain the welfare and stability of the citizens. They also handle social promotions of sponsorships, donations, and charity events to secure financial assistance in case of emergencies and outbreaks. A community health representative must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in advocating and educating the people for health awareness.

What does an outreach specialist do?

An outreach specialist is primarily responsible for organizing and managing social service programs that promote health and wellness within a community. They typically conduct research and assessments to determine the community's needs, thoroughly plan events and programs, participate in hiring staff and volunteers, and liaise with sponsors and suppliers. Often reporting to a manager or supervisor, an outreach specialist must also perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports, preparing necessary documentation, managing schedules, arranging appointments, and even responding to inquiries and concerns.

Community health representative vs outreach specialist salary

Community health representatives and outreach specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Community Health RepresentativeOutreach Specialist
Average salary$35,410$41,863
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $49,000Between $29,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityHenderson, NVWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew HampshireCalifornia
Best paying companyIBMCME Group
Best paying industryTelecommunicationGovernment

Differences between community health representative and outreach specialist education

There are a few differences between a community health representative and an outreach specialist in terms of educational background:

Community Health RepresentativeOutreach Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Community health representative vs outreach specialist demographics

Here are the differences between community health representatives' and outreach specialists' demographics:

Community Health RepresentativeOutreach Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 28.1% Female, 71.9%Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.2% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage21%11%

Differences between community health representative and outreach specialist duties and responsibilities

Community health representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain the content of digital and social media platforms including Facebook, twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn.
  • Mail out Medicare Medicaid publications to customers.
  • Mentore students preparing to apply to college outside of Rwanda.
  • Serve youth who have been discharge from correctional facilities, residential treatment centers and treatment foster care.
  • Assist prospects with scheduling a home visit, having a local agent meet prospect to discuss details regarding Medicare plans.
  • Provide explanation of benefits while maintaining confidentiality following HIPAA regulations.
  • Show more

Outreach specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage low volume Medicare caseload when need.
  • Manage incoming/outgoing referrals and some ICD-9 medical coding.
  • Preform contact investigations on active TB clients.
  • Conduct thorough, detail screenings of contacts through TB Mantoux test.
  • Enter new clients into MedFORCE (EMR) and maintain electronic records.
  • Complete all documentation in state EMR's to prepare client file for discharge.
  • Show more

Community health representative vs outreach specialist skills

Common community health representative skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Medicaid, 7%
  • Community Health, 6%
  • Community Outreach, 6%
  • Health Education, 4%
Common outreach specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Veterans, 4%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%

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