What does a health program specialist do?
A health program specialist is in charge of planning and developing health programs in communities or facilities. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify client needs, gathering and analyzing data, spearheading different activities that promote healthy lifestyles, assessing existing programs to determine areas needing improvement, and coordinating with health care experts. Furthermore, as a health program specialist, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while adhering to the vision and mission of the organization or community.
Health program specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real health program specialist resumes:
- Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
- Conduct screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and osteoporosis.
- Coordinate appointments with court and third-party medical facilities and accompany patients to legal appointments, rehabilitation and therapy groups.
- Serve as lead staff and successfully provide direct inpatient care in psychiatric setting in support of patient rehabilitation.
- Create exercise prescriptions for rehabilitation.
- Program communication and development working with service providers, healthcare association and organizations to establish a state-wide tobacco treatment safety network.
- Educate clients on medications, diagnosis, diabetes, nutrition, problem solving and other health issues.
- Revise CDC/HHS instruction on developing accessible PowerPoint presentations for federal public health audience.
Health program specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Health Program Specialists are proficient in Health Education, Data Collection, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Detail oriented, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Health Program Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Health Education, 12%
Developed prevention/health education curriculum activities for the elementary school students in the Birmingham School District.
- Data Collection, 12%
Participated in research and investigative activities, statistical data collection, and completion of program reports.
- Patients, 9%
Coordinated appointments with court and third-party medical facilities and accompanied patients to legal appointments, rehabilitation and therapy groups.
- Technical Assistance, 8%
Collected and analyzed data to identify trends and to provide technical assistance to Behavioral Health Programs in developing prevention models.
- Social Work, 8%
Program Specialist: - Assisted in developing a social work orientation manual.
- Rehabilitation, 4%
Created exercise prescriptions for rehabilitation.
Most health program specialists use their skills in "health education," "data collection," and "patients" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential health program specialist responsibilities here:
Ability to use technology. The most essential soft skill for a health program specialist to carry out their responsibilities is ability to use technology. This skill is important for the role because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to use advanced technology." Additionally, a health program specialist resume shows how their duties depend on ability to use technology: "document patient care timely, objectively and in a concise fashion according to hospital policies and procedures. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling health program specialist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians need to understand and follow safety standards and complex government regulations." According to a health program specialist resume, here's how health program specialists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "developed detailed communication plans that incorporated social media tweets, posts, and blogs. "
Physical stamina. This is an important skill for health program specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how health program specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to stand for long periods and be able to travel regularly." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a health program specialist: "report any changes in their physical or mental health to nurse on duty. ".
Communication skills. health program specialist responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to communicate safety instructions and concerns to employees and managers." This resume example shows what health program specialists do with communication skills on a typical day: "developed health communication interventions for patients. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for health program specialist responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of health program specialists all the time, as "occupational health and safety specialists and technicians must be able to solve problems in order to design and implement workplace processes and procedures that help protect workers from hazardous conditions." An excerpt from a real health program specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what a health program specialist does: "provision of clinical supervision and training on the impact problem-solving treatment model to adult and child clinicians"
The three companies that hire the most health program specialists are:
- State Of Montana8 health program specialists jobs
- Gap Inc.3 health program specialists jobs
- CDC Foundation3 health program specialists jobs
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Health program specialist vs. Case manager
A case manager is responsible for giving advice, handling plans for the client's recovery, and connecting with other human service professionals to ask for further options and recommendations for the client's concerns. Case managers should have excellent communication and listening skills to evaluate the client's needs, ensuring that they will have the utmost care and safety through efficient advocacy. A case manager should be able to provide a reliable support system for the client and monitor progress to achieve wellness and guarantee satisfaction.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, health program specialist responsibilities require skills like "health education," "data collection," "technical assistance," and "provide technical assistance." Meanwhile a typical case manager has skills in areas such as "substance abuse," "crisis intervention," "patient care," and "customer service." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Case managers earn the highest salaries when working in the insurance industry, with an average yearly salary of $50,652. On the other hand, health program specialists are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $52,715.case managers tend to reach similar levels of education than health program specialists. In fact, case managers are 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Health program specialist vs. Clinical case manager
A clinical case manager is responsible for providing high-quality care services for patients by researching treatment plans and developing efficient medications through various methodological approaches and data analysis. Clinical case managers review the medical histories and needs of patients to determine appropriate treatment programs and resources and prepare treatment reports upon actual applications. They also spend time observing laboratory examinations and procedures, strategizing on treatment processes within budget limitations and organizational requirements. A clinical case manager must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, especially on responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns and present accurate health evaluations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, health program specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "health education," "data collection," "technical assistance," and "provide technical assistance." Meanwhile, a clinical case manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "patient care," "social security," "social services," and "clinical documentation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Clinical case managers may earn a higher salary than health program specialists, but clinical case managers earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $52,836. On the other hand, health program specialists receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $52,715.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Clinical case managers tend to reach higher levels of education than health program specialists. In fact, they're 10.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for health program specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Health program specialist vs. Clinical externship
A clinical externship is a short medical student program directly mentored by professionals within their chosen career path in healthcare. Clinical externs work in various settings such as hospitals, a doctor's office, or clinics and work directly with patients to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in the classroom. They will be graded and must pass the program to be able to graduate from medical school. Externs must request a letter of recommendation from their site supervisor when applying for jobs.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from health program specialist resumes include skills like "health education," "data collection," "technical assistance," and "social work," whereas a clinical externship is more likely to list skills in "patient care," "crisis intervention," "substance abuse," and "group therapy sessions. "
Clinical externships earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,353. Comparatively, health program specialists have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $52,715.Most clinical externships achieve a lower degree level compared to health program specialists. For example, they're 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Health program specialist vs. Clinician
A clinician specializes in providing diagnosis, treatment, and direct care to patients with different illnesses. A clinician's duties mainly revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis, providing medical care through various therapies, and improving one's overall health condition. Furthermore, a clinician must obtain and analyze a patient's complete medical history, provide diagnostic tests, always monitor the effects of treatment on a patient, provide prognosis and consider the overall impact on a patient's health and well-being.
Types of health program specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











