Health and Human Services is an agency of the federal government and describes a wide range of jobs and activities within the medical and mental health fields. The agency – The Department of Health and Human Services1 – administers various programs dealing with welfare and health. The department oversees programs and administers grant money relating to these industries and is the umbrella under which the following federal agencies operate:
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Indian Health Service
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Agency for Healthcare Research Quality
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Administration for Children and Families
- Administration on Aging
Outside the federal government, health and human services jobs are quite diverse. By looking at the agencies that operate under the government’s department, individuals can get an idea of the types of jobs related to a health and human service degree – positions might range from administration work in research or health management systems to caring for children or the elderly.
Interested in pursuing a career in Health and Human Services?
Advance your career in Health & Human Services by pursuing an M.A. in Healthcare Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota online.
Human Services Involve People
The primary job of anyone in a human services job2 is to assist people in functioning effectively across various living domains. As such, anyone considering the field should strongly desire to work directly with people and help others. Some other skills and requirements that a healthcare management job description might include are:
- Understanding how human systems work together, including individuals, organizations, communities, and families
- Ability to identify and implement solutions and interventions that are helpful to others in both the short- and long term
- Identifying and understanding physical, mental, emotional, and organizational limitations to enact appropriate interventions
- Organizational, communication, and leadership skills
- Compassion and empathy.
Working in Human Services
While many jobs in human services revolve around fields such as mental health case management or safety regulations, there are niches within the industry for other skill sets. Most jobs require direct contact with communities and individuals, but higher-level professionals often do land management or administrative jobs. These jobs require individuals to direct teams or create processes that, in turn, deliver direct assistance to patients and communities.
In addition to management work, individuals with health and human services degrees might work in research, policy-making, or regulatory jobs3 dealing with healthcare law. Any federal agencies listed above hire candidates with such training, and hundreds of state and local agencies are in the field.
Top-Paying Human Services Jobs for Masters-Level Applicants
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country’s medical and health service managers4 made an average of $92,810 annually in 2014. The BLS also reports that job growth in this sector5 is much faster than the average for other types of jobs.
Healthcare administrators – those who run clinics or hospital departments – make an average of $65,287.6 A similar job – executive director of a non-profit organization – pays an average of $60,532 annually.7 Most organizations hiring executive-level administrators look for a master’s degree.
Individuals who want to help others less hands-on might consider working in policy management. Policy managers work with executive leadership at hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The jobs usually require experience in public health and an advanced degree in a related field, such as health and human services. The median pay for a health policy analyst is $53,635 per year8, and with the changing political environment, demand will certainly grow for individuals in this space.
A Flexible Degree
A Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration educates individuals on wide-ranging work at various levels. While classes are targeted to work in medical, mental health, and community service environments, the degree would also be valuable in general management and human resource fields because it prepares individuals for working with others, problem-solving, and understanding how regulations and policy interact with the needs of individuals and groups. Learn more about how this master’s degree program could give you the confidence and compassion you need to lead.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, https://www.hhs.gov.
- National Organization for Human Services, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services.
- HHS Careers, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, https://www.hhs.gov/careers.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2022, Medical and Health Service Managers, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119111.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
- Payscale.com, Healthcare Administrator, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Healthcare_Administrator/Salary.
- Payscale.com, Executive Director Non-Profit Organization, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Executive_Director%2C_Non-Profit_Organization/Salary.
- Payscale.com, Health Policy Analyst, accessed Oct. 5, 2023, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Policy_Analyst/Salary.