What is a Health Communications Specialist?

Health Communications Specialist

Are you interested in becoming a health communications specialist?  Do you want to work in the health industry in some capacity, but do not want to commit to years of medical school? Or maybe you’re  interested in healthcare but are not inclined to work directly with patients.  If you have a passion for the art of communication and are interested in learning more about the ever growing field of health communications, you have come to the right place.

A health communications specialist is a media relations professional who is trained to work specifically  in health organizations and other medical agencies. They play an important role in creating important health messages as well as in spreading the word to individuals or groups. A health communications specialist may be considered an educator. Alternatively, they may been seen as a marketing strategist or a health care worker. 

Read on, and learn about all of the duties of a specialist in health communications. Based on that job description, you can decide if this could be the right occupation for you.

What Are the Duties of a Health Communications Specialist?

Health communications professionals have a very specific job. They help to spread knowledge and understanding about pressing issues. These include healthy lifestyle choices, medical treatment options, disease prevention. 

It is important for a communications specialist to understand the issues at hand. But, their main job is communicating this information to the general public, and doing it in an effective way.  Those with a career in health communication specialize in healthcare public relations. They typically work with government agencies or in public health arenas.

Their primary duty, in whatever setting that they may be employed in, is to handle all of the internal and external communications for the facility or the hospital. To create and disseminate messages, this public relations professional will need to work with staff, physicians, nurses, and healthcare administrators. They will identify health issues and common illnesses. These need to be discussed with individuals or communities. The health communication specialists  then go on to create materials so that they can promote the services and prevention methods that patients should plan to follow. 

In addition to promoting services and creating messages, a health communications specialist may also need to hold conferences with the general public when a health crisis strikes. Because of this, it is important to be prepared to deal with high levels of stress when you work in this field.

Throughout the course of a career, they will likely work closely with the public, research facilities, hospital and healthcare directors, as well as others who work to promote public initiatives. They may also work closely  with the hospital or healthcare facility’s marketing department. There they will need to assess the goals of a specific program as well as identify outreach efforts that will work based on the particular marketing strategies. In the midst of new public health campaigns, they will work with strategic planners and project managers. They will design and implement programs and then discuss the initiatives in the media.  Healthcare initiatives could include creating ad campaigns, holding press conferences or seminars, designing brochures, or a variety of other relevant communication techniques.  

Where Can I Be Employed as a Health Communications Specialist?

A successful health communications specialist will act as a bridge between medical specialists and the general public.  Fortunately, there is a long list of opportunities for this type of liaison.  Below is a list of employment sectors that could be interested in hiring a health communications specialist.  

  • Government agencies – local, state, and federal
  • Public health arenas (hospitals, medical practices, etc…)
  • Health insurance companies
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
  • Nonprofit advocacy organizations 
  • Large corporations looking to promote health or wellness programs 
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Public relation firms

The job outlook for health communications specialists is quite good. The greatest areas of growth in the field are within large cities and metropolitan areas.  Here you will find a greater number of people, as well as a high concentration of universities, corporations, hospitals, and federal and local health agencies. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job rate for those working as public health specialists will grow at least 15% over the next 10 years. That projection would mean more than two million new careers in public health will be available, making it a great career choice. 

How to Become a Health Communications Specialist

If you have always dreamed of working in public relations, but you would like to benefit from the ongoing growth in the public health sector, there could be no better occupation to pursue. To become a specialist in this field, you will need to begin by completing a formal bachelor’s degree program. You will need to major in communications or journalism. There are also new and desirable degrees specializing specifically in health communications. These are hybrid programs focusing on the health sector and communications.

After you graduate from a four year degree program, you have the choice to either continue on the education pathway, or to enter the field through an entry level position.  Most healthcare settings will prefer that you have three to five years of experience in healthcare or business communications to be considered for any open positions.

Additionally, an increasing number of open positions are looking for candidates who have graduated with a master’s degree in health communications.  Pursuing additional degrees is especially important for anyone who wishes to hold any type of leadership role in the field.

When choosing a master’s degree program, many options are available. It can be beneficial to choose a degree focus based on whatever particular area of health holds the most interest.  This specific lane of education can help land you a desirable job. 

What Skills do I Need to Succeed as a Health Communications Specialist?

As with any job in the field of communications, a health communications specialist must excel in communication skills.  The ability to pass on information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner is an invaluable skill for someone looking to succeed in this field. 

It is also important for those looking to succeed in this field to have above average technological skills. Strong data analysis skills benefit this profession as well.  Fluency in at least two languages is a valuable skill for the job, as multilingual communication is essential. This is particularly true in metropolitan areas where there is likely to be a diverse population. 

Additionally, it is important for healthcare communication specialists to keep up with the latest information and findings. It is crucial to communicate the latest and most relevant information.  The more that a healthcare specialist understands about the pressing matters, the more they can deliver that message to the general public. In turn, this will ensure a safer and healthier world.  

Related Resources: Public Affairs Specialist for FEMA

What Can I Expect to Earn Working for FEMA?

According to the Global Post, corporate communications specialist in high-growth industries like healthcare have the highest growth rate. This means that demand for graduates is projected to go on the rise.

If you want to be a public relations specialist, it is time to set your goals. You can specialize in creating messages for health agencies and for medical centers. Compare the various degree programs that will teach you skills in communications and journalism. Then, consider taking a degree program that has been designed to make the best health communications specialist.