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Health communication specialist vs health specialist

The differences between health communication specialists and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a health communication specialist and a health specialist. Additionally, a health communication specialist has an average salary of $49,493, which is higher than the $47,740 average annual salary of a health specialist.

The top three skills for a health communication specialist include health education, patients and fact sheets. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.

Health communication specialist vs health specialist overview

Health Communication SpecialistHealth Specialist
Yearly salary$49,493$47,740
Hourly rate$23.79$22.95
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs54,00772,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a health communication specialist do?

A health communication specialist is responsible for managing public health communications by disseminating information to various media platforms. Health communication specialists analyze the current medical trends and coordinate with medical professionals to gain more details and discuss health issues with the community. They also promote and share advice in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and development. A health communication specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills to support the community people with their medical needs and concerns.

What does a health specialist do?

A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.

Health communication specialist vs health specialist salary

Health communication specialists and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health Communication SpecialistHealth Specialist
Average salary$49,493$47,740
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $71,000Between $31,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CityHillsboro, ORSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyCenters For Disease Control And PreventionCity of Seattle
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between health communication specialist and health specialist education

There are a few differences between a health communication specialist and a health specialist in terms of educational background:

Health Communication SpecialistHealth Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPublic HealthPsychology
Most common collegeGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Health communication specialist vs health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between health communication specialists' and health specialists' demographics:

Health Communication SpecialistHealth Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 28.9% Female, 71.1%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between health communication specialist and health specialist duties and responsibilities

Health communication specialist example responsibilities.

  • Work with patients at clinic to gain access and use patient portal to manage health care.
  • Provide communications support to CDC emergency operations.
  • Collaborate with care teams to identify, refer and schedule patients in need of nutritional services.
  • Conduct and document outreach activities to evaluate immunization needs in assign areas.
  • Promote CDC activities through written and verbal communication with current and potential stakeholders.
  • Establish quality improvement strategies with healthcare providers to increase childhood and adolescent immunization rates.
  • Show more

Health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
  • Hire, manage payroll and provide oversight for research and administrative assistants.
  • Provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disable veterans and other eligible individuals.
  • Coordinate and facilitate workgroup and committee meetings.
  • Assist in running a life skills group for young adults with autism.
  • Work one-on-one with an individual who have autism and are visually impair.
  • Show more

Health communication specialist vs health specialist skills

Common health communication specialist skills
  • Health Education, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Fact Sheets, 5%
  • Subject Matter Experts, 4%
  • Web Content, 4%
  • Health Promotion, 4%
Common health specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • Public Health, 8%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Veterans, 5%
  • Technical Assistance, 5%

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