Health Educator

Health Educator Career Overview

Health education is designed to educate individuals on the benefits of healthy living. Health educators develop strategies to promote health and prevent disease through voluntary changes in behavior. Health educators work in a variety of environments, including schools, government and private companies, to educate people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.Employment of health educators is expected to grow faster than other careers due to the rising cost of health care and employers desire to curb costs.

Health Educator Training & Education

In most cases a four-year bachelor’s degree is required for an entry-level health educator position, though some organizations prefer employees with outside training or hands-on experience. Individuals with internship experience or experience through volunteering are more attractive to employers when considering a candidate. Some employers do require a master’s or doctorate degree, and in most cases a graduate degree is required for advancement. Health education degree programs are designed to teach students the theory of health education, as well as developing skills to plan and implement health education programs.

The National Commission for Health Credentialing (NCHC) offers voluntary credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) for those seeking additional credibility in the field of health education.

Heatlh Educator Career & Salary

The earning potential for someone who works as a health educator ranges depending on the area in which the person is employed. The annual earnings for health educators range between $31,300 and $56,580. Individuals employed at a surgical or general medical hospital have an earning potential of $41,000. Health educators employed by the state or local governments have median annual earnings of $33,000 and those employed by individual or family services can expect median annual earnings of $26,000.

Health educators can greatly increase their earning potential through additional education such as a master’s or doctorate degree. Certification as a Health Education Specialist through the National Commission for Health Credentialing can also significantly increase a health educators potential earnings.

Characteristics of Health Educators

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a successful health educator will have exceptional communication skills and be comfortable with public speaking, as in many cases they will be responsible for talking with large groups. Additionally, health educators need to be culturally sensitive, as they will encounter a variety of people from different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Health Education Careers

There are several types of employment an individual with a health education degree can choose from. Health educators are employed by educational institutions, state and local governments, hospitals and health clinics, companies, and individual and family services. The main focus of a health educator in any setting is to promote a healthy lifestyle though education and implementation.

Career Fields/Specializations

College Health Educator Career

In a college or university setting health educators work with the student population to create programs on topics that a young population can identify with, including nutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, stress management and substance use. Health educators in secondary schools often teach health class and are responsible for communicating information on delicate subjects like sex and drugs.

Government Health Educator Career

Health educators that work at the government level are most often concerned with public health and well-being. These individuals often work closely with non-profits in order to find them funding for their community-serving programs.

Business Health Educator Career

Health educators in a private company work to develop plans and programs to improve the overall quality of the work environment for the entire company. Health educators in private companies are often responsible for coordinating events and speaker for employees. Some programs include incentive packages for employees that work out at a gym a certain number of days a month or incentives for people who attend health and wellness seminars.

Medical Care Health Educator Career

Health educators who work in medical care facilities work closely with families and patients to develop plans on how to deal with a medical diagnosis and prepare them for any changes that may occur as a result of an illness.