Health educators are professionals who help people improve their health and wellness. They educate people on various health topics including physical, environmental, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and sexual health. They are also responsible for preventing diseases and promoting healthy living. Health educators work in schools, community centers, and hospitals. The field has a wide variety of job titles.
Qualities of a health educator
A health educator is responsible for creating and implementing programs that promote healthy lifestyles. They also develop and evaluate educational materials and methods. They also advocate for policies that improve public health. A health educator also coordinates activities with other health care professionals and identifies community needs and priorities. The job requires a lot of time, so it is important to prioritize tasks to get things done.
Most health educators are people-oriented and enjoy working with other people. They are enterprising and are natural leaders and influencers. They have a natural ability to motivate people to improve their health and well-being. A health educator must have strong communication and interpersonal skills. A health educator’s skills are essential to ensuring that programs are effective.
A health educator must be a problem-solver. Their job requires them to understand and solve unique health issues, and then provide the best solution to patients on an almost real-time basis. They must also be able to adapt to a wide variety of environments and cultures. A health educator should be comfortable speaking and writing in front of an audience.
Another important quality of a health educator is a strong sense of organization. A good health educator will know how to track outcomes and monitor the effectiveness of their programs. They will also know how to develop personal values and group norms that support healthy lifestyles. In addition, a health educator must be able to teach the basic health skills that are essential for life. Many curricula fail to teach these basic skills.
Work environment
Health educators work in nonprofit organizations to inform and educate the public about health issues and healthy habits. Often, they’re responsible for creating programs to target specific demographics or illnesses, and may also create print materials for distribution. Their work may also involve organizing lectures, screenings, or other activities to increase public awareness.
Health educators are also a vital part of schools, where they work directly with students. They teach health courses, develop programs for schools, and ensure that learning environments are safe and conducive to learning. They also work with local community members to promote health. Although the role of health educators is similar in all settings, the work environment can vary greatly from one organization to the next.
In order to find a rewarding career, health educators must have relevant experience. The best experience is in community work or in a public health environment. Public health educators are also required to have good communication skills, as they must be able to interact with a variety of people. Experience working with people and demonstrating leadership skills is also essential.
The work environment for health educators can be a stressful one. Although many health educators work from an office, many also spend time in the community to meet with community organizations, talk with patients, and hold workshops. Those in community-based positions are usually on the road a lot. A majority of health educators work 40-hour weeks, and they may be required to work weekends.
Salary
Health educators are professionals who use a variety of methods to educate people about healthy living. They may work for a doctor’s office, nonprofit organization, or government agency. They may also develop programs about various health issues and train other health care providers. Some health educators also advocate for better policies and resources to promote healthy living. The median annual salary for health educators is $45,360.
Salary for health educators ranges widely. The lowest paid earn approximately $46,516 a year, while the highest-paid health educators earn more than $67,000 a year. In addition, health educators can choose to obtain voluntary certification to become Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) by passing the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing exam. This certification is valid for a period of five years and must be renewed annually.
The demand for health educators is growing rapidly. There is a projected 12% growth in jobs between 2014 and 2024. This growth is largely due to a large baby boomer population entering retirement age and a growing number of people living longer. As this demographic shift occurs, many more people will need help with their health, and health educators will be essential to assessing and addressing their needs. This career requires strong computer skills.
Salary for health educators varies significantly by state. The average health educator salary in Washington is $54,300. Salary varies by experience, location, and the type of employer. Some health educators make more than $66,000 a year. However, those in the lowest-paying percentile make only $24,664 annually. The highest-paid percentile earns $84,285 annually.
