HHS Careers: Entry-Level Options, Training, and More

Key Insights:

• Health and human services (HHS) is dedicated to improving individual, family, and community wellness. HHS workers might work directly with vulnerable populations, like children or the elderly, or they may help other individuals address their basic needs.
• Reasons to pursue HHS careers include having a desire to help others, wanting to enter a growing field, and the ability to work in a variety of settings (and for varied employers).
• Entry-level HHS career options include mental health technician, case worker, and residential associate, just to name a few. A health and human services degree program can help prepare you for these roles.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” If you want to be of service to others in a way that can help them live better lives, you may want to consider a health and human services (HHS) career path.

Keep reading to learn what HHS is and why you might want to work in this field. We also explore a few entry-level HHS careers, along with the education and/or training required to pursue them. We’ll even share how you can get started at home with an online health and human services degree.

What is Health and Human Services (HHS)?

The health and human services field is focused on improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. This is often accomplished by connecting people with services and programs designed to improve their quality of life mentally, physically, and/or socially.

Some HHS services and programs focus specifically on helping children, the elderly, people with mental health issues, and other vulnerable populations. Others are designed for individuals who face food insecurities, housing issues, healthcare concerns, or are otherwise experiencing difficulties with meeting their basic needs.

Prefer short videos? Watch What is Health and Human Services?

Why Pursue a Career in the HHS Field?

If you’re unsure whether a health and human services career is right for you, here are a few reasons you may choose to work in this field:

• You want to make a positive impact. HHS careers provide the opportunity to assist people with a variety of needs, from healthcare to housing to job search assistance, and more. If you feel called to help others or have an urge to help uplift your community, connecting people with resources designed to address their needs can leave a lasting impact.
• There’s a growing demand. “Healthcare and social assistance” is expected to be the fastest- and largest-growing industry sector from 2024 to 2034.¹ The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% increase in social and human service assistant occupations during this time, resulting in 50,600 openings per year, on average.²
• You have various employment options. Some HHS professionals work for the government — the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services employs more than 80,000 people, for instance³ — while others work for individual, family, and community services. You can also find HHS workers in residential or nursing care facility settings.⁴

If you want to work in a growing field1 where you can make a positive impact and have a variety of workplace options, a career in health and human services may be a good fit.

HHS Careers to Consider

Health and human services is a broad field. This gives you several HHS careers to consider. Here are a few of the entry-level roles that UMA graduates have found work in:

#1: Mental health technician

This HHS professional assists patients with mental health issues. This could include finding ways to address their basic needs, assisting with daily tasks, providing emotional support, or helping clients follow their prescribed treatment plans. Mental health technicians can be found in inpatient settings like psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities, as well as in outpatient behavioral health clinics.⁵

#2: Community support worker

Community support workers help vulnerable populations with everyday activities like bathing and dressing, going to the grocery store, and creating a budget. You could also have healthcare-related responsibilities in this role, such as collaborating with clients’ medical teams to implement a treatment plan and driving them to doctors’ visits.⁶

#3: Residential associate

Another HHS career option is residential associate, sometimes referred to as a resident assistant. In this role, you’d help patients living in long-term care facilities with daily living, social, and recreational activities. You may also be responsible for ensuring that they are in a safe environment and responding to medical issues if needed.⁷

#4: Youth & family services worker

Individuals in these roles work with families in need, assisting them with financial stability, family dynamics, and mental health issues. The National Association of Social Workers indicates that this can involve referring clients to available resources, advocating for their support, conducting home visits, and helping them navigate the healthcare system.⁸

#5: Case worker

Health and human services case workers help individuals and families find and apply for healthcare, counseling, and/or financial assistance programs. They may be tasked with assessing the client’s needs, determining which services can help, and acting as a liaison with available services and programs, also monitoring the client’s progress.⁹

#6: Member or customer advocate

Some HHS workers spend their days ensuring that their clients or customers receive high-quality services. These professionals hold titles such as member advocate or customer advocate. They may serve others by answering questions, helping with complex situations, or advocating for programs to better meet their clients' needs.¹⁰

What Education is Needed for Health and Human Services Roles?

Because HHS careers can vary, so can the education or training required to enter these positions. Generally speaking, you typically need a high school diploma and on-the-job training for social and human service assistant occupations, according to the BLS.¹¹ However, some employers may prefer additional education, such as an associate degree in human services.

An HHS degree program provides the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in these roles. For example, in HHS classes, you can learn more about public and community health, social welfare, and family dynamics. You also gain a better understanding of healthcare delivery, medical terminology, and human growth and development.

Learn more: 4 Steps to Health and Human Services Career Readiness

Important Soft Skills for HHS Professionals

Individuals in health and human services roles can also benefit from having certain soft skills. These are qualities that, while not technical, can help you excel in your job role.

Important soft skills for people in HHS careers include:¹¹

• Effective communication
• Compassion and empathy
• Relationship-building skills
• Good with organization
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management

UMA Offers an Online Health and Human Services Degree

If you’re interested in pursuing HHS careers, UMA offers a Health and Human Services Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program. This program is available online and prepares you to pursue entry-level HHS roles like the ones mentioned here — and it can be completed in 18 months or more.¹²

Why earn your HHS degree at UMA?

UMA prides itself on its numerous Student Services, which range from helping you navigate the admissions process and financial aid (if eligible) to assisting you with specific course questions. Once you’re ready to pursue a career in the HHS field, our Career Services team can help you prepare your resume, hold mock interviews to build your confidence, provide interview attire guidance, and more.

All these services are designed to help you stay on track with your career goals. They also provide a support system that you can count on — one that is as committed to your success as you are.

Contact us with any questions you have, or to discuss how we can help you pursue a career in the HHS field. We’re here to help in any way we can.

FAQs

• What is HHS? HHS stands for health and human services. This field involves helping individuals, families, and communities meet their basic needs in an effort to provide a higher quality of life.
• What does health and human services do? Health and human services professionals are often tasked with connecting people with services and programs designed to address their specific needs. HHS workers can also serve as a liaison between clients and programs, or as an advocate for the clients’ needs.
• What are some careers in human services? Entry-level HHS careers can include mental health technician, customer support worker, residential associate, and case worker. Customer advocate and youth & family services worker are two careers that UMA grads have found roles in after earning their HHS degree.
• What is a health and human services degree? An HHS degree program helps prepare you for a career in this field. It can teach you important skills related to public health, social welfare, human behavior, and family dynamics. UMA’s program also provides soft skills that are helpful in an HHS role, such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.