• Make a Real Difference: Help individuals and families improve their mental health and overall well-being.

• Build Strong Connections: Work closely with community members and healthcare professionals.

• Continuous Learning: Stay informed about health topics and share knowledge with others.

• Diverse Work Environments: Opportunities in schools, clinics, nonprofits, and more.

• Personal Fulfillment: Experience the satisfaction of helping create healthier communities.

Embarking on a community health career allows you to combine compassion with action, leading to a fulfilling professional journey.

With a high school diploma and training:

• Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers (CHWs) help people get the care and services they need. They often live in the same communities they serve, so they can better understand people’s needs and challenges. CHWs may visit homes, work in clinics, or talk to people at events. They help connect people to things like counseling, addiction treatment, doctors, or support groups. They also teach people about staying healthy and help them speak up for themselves when talking to health providers.

• Harm Reduction Specialist*

Harm Reduction Specialists help people who use drugs stay safer and healthier. They give out supplies like clean syringes or naloxone (a medicine that can stop overdoses). They teach people how to lower their risk of getting sick or hurt, and they listen without judgment. They also help connect people to housing, health care, or treatment if they want it. Their goal is to support people no matter where they are in their journey. [Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment careers →]

*Some harm reduction roles require an associate’s degree or higher and/or licensure. For example, a nurse working in harm reduction must have at least an Associate of Science in Nursing and be a Registered Nurse. 

With a bachelor’s degree or higher: 

• Coalition Coordinator

Coalition Coordinators bring together people from different parts of the community—like schools, police, faith groups,, and parents—to work on one big goal: making their community safer and healthier. Coordinators lead meetings, plan events like community meetings and awareness days, and help the Coalition members stay on track with the community’s goals. They work with community members and organizations to host activities that promote prevention programming related to  youth drug use, suicide, cyberbullying and more.[Learn more about prevention careers →]

• Prevention Consultant

Prevention Consultants are experts who support many programs at once. They don’t usually work directly with students or families, but they help others do that work better. They train staff, look at data to see if programs are helping, and give advice on how to improve. They may also help write public health plans or talk to government leaders about what communities need.[Learn more about Prevention careers →]

• Health Education Specialist

A Health Education Specialist helps people learn how to stay healthy and take care of their bodies and minds. They create fun and useful programs to teach about topics like nutrition, exercise, mental health, and disease prevention. They might lead classes, give presentations, or make flyers and videos to share health tips. Health Education Specialists also work with schools, clinics, or community groups to make sure people have the tools they need to live healthier lives. Their goal is to educate, support, and empower others to make smart health choices.

• Program Coordinator

Program Coordinators help plan and run health programs in schools, clinics, or community spaces. They work with a team to pick topics like mental health, nutrition, or substance use prevention. They create schedules, organize events, gather supplies, and make sure everything goes smoothly. They often talk to community members to learn what support is needed to design programs that truly help. [Learn more about Management careers →]

Other job titles you might see:

• Prevention Educator

• Health Educator

• Community Resource Navigation Specialist

• Outreach Worker

• Patient Navigator

• Community Health Educator

• Family Services Specialist

• Youth Outreach Coordinator

• Focus on Health Education and Support: Work to improve health outcomes by educating people and promoting healthy behaviors.

• Serve as a Bridge: Act as a connector between the healthcare system and the people they serve, helping individuals better understand health information and access services.

• Emphasize Prevention: Focus on preventing illness and promoting wellness through education and outreach.

• Advocate: Work to reduce stigma and promote mental health awareness and wellness.

These professionals are essential in bridging gaps between communities and mental health services, ensuring accessible and compassionate care.

Hospitals and Clinics

• Schools and Colleges

• Community Centers and Nonprofits

• Public Health Departments and Government Agencies

• Home Visiting Programs

• Faith-Based Organizations

• Workplaces and Job Training Programs

• Mobile Clinics and Outreach Events

• Correctional Facilities and Reentry Programs

• Shelters and Housing Programs

Their versatility allows them to serve diverse populations across various settings, enhancing community health outcomes.

• People with Mental Health Challenges: Help individuals understand their mental health, find services, and stay connected to support.

• Families and Caregivers: Offer guidance, education, and tools to care for loved ones while also supporting their own well-being.

• Underserved and Marginalized Communities: Reach people who face barriers to care—such as low income, language differences, or discrimination—and connect them to resources.

• Youth and Teens: Teach young people about healthy choices, mental health, and how to handle stress before problems grow.

• Older Adults: Provide support for aging-related needs, including memory care, isolation, and mental wellness.

• People with Substance Use Issues: Share information about treatment, harm reduction, and recovery options.

• People with Disabilities: Offer support that respects unique needs and helps remove obstacles to health care and independence.

By serving a wide range of individuals, they play a crucial role in promoting mental wellness across the lifespan.

Education requirements vary depending on the role:

• Community Health Workers: Requires a high school diploma or GED and completion of a certified training program. The training typically includes classroom content (100 hours) and 130 hours of experience in a community setting.

• Health Education Specialists: Typically need a bachelor's degree or higher in health education or a related field.  If majoring in Public Health, look for schools and programs that are accredited by the Council on Public Health Education (CPHE)! 

Continuing education and specialized training can enhance career prospects and effectiveness in the field.

Obtaining the appropriate credentials ensures compliance with state regulations and enhances professional credibility. In Ohio, the following certifications and licenses are may be obtained for community health roles:

• Community Health Worker Certification (CHW): Offered through the Ohio Board of Nursing after completion of an approved training program.

• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES): Meet the standards of competence established by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. (NCHEC) and have successfully passed the CHES examination. Eligibility to take the CHES examination is based exclusively on academic qualifications.

• Ohio Prevention Credentials: Offered through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, certification includes the Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA), Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist (OCPS) and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant (OCPC)  [Learn more about Prevention careers →]

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.