What does a Health Educator do?
Published 3 min read
A health educator is a professional who helps people learn about and make healthy choices. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, community organizations, and businesses. Health educators teach people about topics such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and disease prevention. They also develop and implement health education programs.
Health Educator job duties include:
- Plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs
- Develop educational materials and activities
- Train program participants and staff
- Conduct needs assessments
- Develop evaluation tools and collect data
- Analyze data to determine program effectiveness
- Write reports and grant proposals
- Serve as a resource to community members, health care providers, and other professionals
- Advocate for public health policies that promote wellness
Health Educator Job Requirements
Health educators typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in health education, community health, public health, or a related field. Many states also require health educators to be certified. Certification requirements vary by state, but most include completing an accredited health education program and passing a written exam. Some states also require continuing education credits to maintain certification. Health educators typically have several years of experience working in the field before becoming certified.
Health Educator Skills
- Communication
- Writing
- Public Speaking
- Research
- Organization
- Planning
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Cultural Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Facilitation
Related: Top Health Educator Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Health Educator
There are many ways to become a health educator. One way is to earn a degree in health education, which can be done at the undergraduate or graduate level. Alternatively, many health educators have a background in another field such as nursing, public health, or psychology. Health educators typically need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as knowledge of health promotion and education principles. Some states also require health educators to be certified.
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