Health Director

Health Directors guide teams of healthcare professionals in providing the optimum care to people within a community or specific location. Community and population health assessment, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating health programs is at the core of the work performed by Health Directors. Their mission is to improve community health outcomes and address health disparities. This career is often administrative and provides leadership, guidance, and management to other healthcare professionals such as nurses, physicians, or certified nursing assistants. They perform work that improves and protects the health of the population they serve, including those who are most vulnerable. Health Directors ensure that the health services in their organization are appropriately scaled to meet the needs of their audience and community and are provided by well-trained professionals.

Education and Training

Health Directors typically hold a master's or doctoral degree in public health. Some Health Directors hold master's degrees in business administration or health administration. A background in healthcare services, clinical practice, and project management is often preferred by employers. Advanced nursing degrees, such as Master of Science in Nursing, may also be acceptable with a focus in leadership. Some Health Directors choose to further their education and obtain a professional certification. The National Board of Public Health Examiners offers a Certified in Public Health Credential and the American Public Health Association offers a Certified Public Health credential that both provide additional credentials to the resume of a Health Director.