Top Entry-Level Jobs in Health and Human Services

Key Insights:

• Healthcare and social assistance is projected to grow in the years ahead.¹ There are many entry-level health and human services jobs you can consider if you’d like a job helping people, families, and communities improve their quality of life.
• Entry-level HHS jobs that UMA grads have found include case worker positions as a member advocate and home health aide.
• If you’re interested in pursuing a career in health and human services, Ultimate Medical Academy is here to help. In addition to providing the education needed to perform these roles, we also offer career readiness support and job search assistance.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that healthcare and social assistance will be the fastest-growing sector from 2024 to 2034, also having the largest job growth.¹ While some positions in this industry require a bachelor’s degree or higher to get into them, others have lower starting educational requirements. The latter are referred to as entry-level roles, and many are in health and human services.

What Is Health and Human Services?

The health and human services (HHS) field focuses on helping individuals, families, and/or communities improve their quality of life by connecting them with available resources or providing direct care.

The first step for professionals in these roles is often to identify factors that may be limiting or hindering a client’s health and wellness. This is typically followed by locating programs designed to address those areas, sometimes helping clients complete the paperwork to enroll or following up with them to ensure they receive the appropriate care.

Top Entry-Level HHS Jobs

Which HHS jobs are entry-level, that you can often enter with an associate degree or less? Here are several positions that Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) graduates have found after completing our online Health and Human Services Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program:

Youth case worker

Youth and young adults today face a variety of issues, including poverty, high housing costs, social inequities, and food insufficiency.² They also have greater emotional and social support needs, according to the American Psychological Association.³ Youth case workers can advocate for these individuals, connecting them with resources available to support their mental and physical health and wellness.

Family services case worker

There are several case worker career paths. If you have a desire to work with families versus individuals, this entry-level health and human services job may be a good fit. In this role, you may work with families facing financial troubles, housing instability, substance abuse, or mental health issues. This can involve identifying local, state, or national programs developed to address these concerns, then helping clients apply or enroll.

Behavioral health services worker

Sometimes referred to as a mental health technician, a behavioral health services worker helps clients with mental, emotional, or psychological needs. It’s common for people with mental health issues to face challenges in other areas of their lives. For instance, research indicates a connection between mental health, opioid use disorder, and housing instability.⁴ A behavioral health services worker could help individuals dealing with these types of issues find resources that address each need.

Member advocate

Another HHS employment option is a member advocate. Health and human services professionals in this role help clients understand, connect with, and effectively utilize available resources. They may also assist clients in resolving issues they encounter with these services and programs, advocating for them to ensure they receive the necessary help.

Home health aide

Some UMA grads have found roles as caregivers or home health aides. The BLS projects that these positions will grow 17% between 2024 and 2034, which would result in roughly 765,800 openings each year, on average, during this time.⁵ Home health aides assist clients with everyday tasks, such as bathing and eating. They may also help with housework and shopping, arrange transportation, and keep clients engaged socially.

Preparing for Entry-Level Health and Human Services Roles

Education requirements for entry-level health and human services jobs can vary. Some employers may require a high school diploma with on-the-job training for certain positions, while others require or prefer candidates with an associate degree to qualify for these types of HHS roles. Even if an associate degree isn’t required, taking this additional step can help you stand out against applicants who lack this level of education.

What you learn in an HHS program

Health and human services classes can help you gain a better understanding of:

• Human growth, development, and behavior
• Public health
• Social welfare
• Healthcare delivery
• Medical terminology

Combined, these provide the knowledge and skills needed when pursuing a health and human services career path. Associate degree programs also typically include general education courses, such as English composition and sociology, providing a rounded education and a solid foundation as you prepare to enter this field.

Earn Your HHS Degree Online

UMA understands that many adult learners have other obligations. You may have a family to take care of and a full-time job that requires a substantial amount of your day. Taking an online HHS program is one way to earn an associate degree without the hassle (or time constraints) of commuting to and from campus.

UMA’s Health and Human Services Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program is available online, enabling you to study from anywhere that you have internet access. It can be completed in 18 months or more,⁶ preparing you to pursue a role in the HHS field in less time than it would take to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Why enroll in UMA’s HHS program?

At UMA, our goal is to prepare you for an HHS career, which goes beyond simply training you for a job in this field. We have team members who can help with your career readiness, such as working with you to polish your healthcare resume, while others provide career-related support post-graduation, aiding in your job search.

Contact us to learn how we can help you pursue your healthcare goals.

FAQs

• What are common entry-level jobs in health and human services? Some Graduates from UMA’s Health and Human Services Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program have found entry-level HHS roles such as youth and family services case worker, behavioral health services worker, and home health aide. Some have also entered positions as a member advocate and a community support services worker.
• What education do I need for a career in health and human services? Some HHS employers require that applicants have a high school diploma combined with on-the-job training. Others require a degree. Health and human services degree jobs may have additional qualifications or higher-level duties, necessitating an advanced education in this area. Contact us to talk about your HHS career goals, as well as to learn what type of education may be required to achieve them.
• Are there remote or hybrid options in the health and human services field? Yes, some employers hire for human services remote jobs, or jobs that are hybrid (part-time office work combined with part-time work from home). In fact, in May 2024, more than half of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ workforce worked remotely or routinely engaged in telework.⁷ If you’re interested in working for the government in a remote HHS role, this department may be an option.
• What’s the job outlook for human services careers? The BLS projects that social and human service assistant occupations will grow 6% between 2024 and 2034, which would result in roughly 50,600 openings per year, on average, during this time.⁸ If you’re interested in a health and human services career, let us know. We’d love to answer your questions about what this may entail and help you pursue your goals.
• How can I advance after an entry-level health and human services role? Advancing to a higher-level role may require additional education and experience. Should you want or need a bachelor's degree (or higher) to advance your career, one of UMA’s partner schools may be a good fit. Pursuing a degree at these schools potentially enables you to apply some of your UMA credits toward select programs of study offered by our post-secondary education partners.