Health Service Categories and Careers

A-Z OF SERVICES

Community Health is concerned with the improvement of health outcomes within populations and community groups. A core part of Community Health is the facilitation of access to services and information, especially for marginalised and vulnerable communities. Community Health can be studied within Public Health, or as a speciality within the medical and clinical sciences, or vocationally via TAFE courses. Community Health services are provided by multi-disciplinary teams, made up of Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Educators, Allied Health professionals and frontline Community Health workers. They are targeted to meet the needs of the community and help improve wellbeing, health status and quality of life.

Community Health Jobs

Community Health Workers provide holistic and therapeutic support to people in the community who are struggling with mental health conditions, disability, or unstable housing. They provide personal care, and assist with daily tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, and attending appointments. They help their clients develop autonomy and independent living skills and help them participate in social and community-based activities. They keep patient records and communicate with stakeholders to provide support within a wider health and caregiving team. Entry level Community Health roles usually require completion (or working towards) of a Certificate IV in either Mental Health/Disability/Aged Care/Community Services/or Indigenous Primary Health Care.

Nurses (Community Health) work in a range of community health settings, providing specialised, integrated and primary health nursing care to people in the community. They work in community health residences and clinics, and may provide outreach nursing services, or individual support and nursing care to people in their own homes. Nursing roles in community health include roles in aged care, women’s health, child and family health, disability services, mental health services, alcohol and drugs services, among other community health, allied health, social, well-being and support services. There are roles available for all levels of nurses, although some require specialised skills and experience.