Community health educators work to teach people in the community about healthy behaviors that promote health and wellness by developing and implementing programs and strategies to improve health. Community health educators are just one of the many positions that individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration or Public Health can apply for. If you are looking for a rewarding position that is well compensated, fulfilling and has a better than average job outlook, here is a basic guide to the occupation. These health professionals work to communicate health related information and promote health and wellness in the community.
At the Frontline in the Public Health Arena
Community health educators works directly with members of the community to promote wellness and teach the population how to make better and healthier life decisions through community health education programs and developing educational materials with health related information for community outreach. As a trusted member of the community, community health educators will have a great understanding of the community that they serve. They will build relationships with members of the community while acting like a liaison between the community and social services so that the quality of service within the area can improve. Community health educators will also work with social services to ensure that there is an understanding of cultural differences that could affect the delivery of community health education and healthcare services. Community health educators have deep roots within their community, and play an integral role in helping health systems become more culturally relevant to the people that the systems serve. Health educators collect information about the community that shows the community health educators where to place their efforts, such as providing mental health services.
Responsibilities of a Health Educator
There is no denying how important it is for a community educator in the health education arena to share similar values and speak the same language as members in the community where they will be serving. While this is important, the responsibilities of a community health educator can vary from system to system. All community health educators will help families and groups access healthcare resources and those that improve well-being. In addition to this, an educator will help the social system become more culturally relevant by staying engaged. Many health educators will work directly with members of the community to help them understand their conditions, and how their future behaviors can improve or negatively impact their health.
While health educators are part of the health system, they are often counselors who provide individuals going through a difficult time with support. It is not uncommon for a health educator to meet with patients and sit through informal counseling sessions, or even to visit a chronically ill individual at their home where they are receiving care. In addition to all of this, the best health educators will find time to advocate for local health needs so that the community as a whole benefits.
It is easy to see why a career in community health as a community health educator can be so very rewarding. Not only will you be working in health promotion to improve the delivery of healthcare and the quality of services in the community where you lay your head, you will also change the lives of individuals you come in contact with. With a bachelor’s degree in health services or public health, you can start looking for community health educator positions and start training.
What are some important community health educator skills
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), qualities that successful health educators and community health workers possess in doing community health education include:
Communication skills: Health education specialists and community health workers need to be able to clearly communicate health information in both verbal and written forms. Communication skills to write proposals for programs and to gain funding is an important skill. Health education programs are run by community health workers with good communication skills.
Analytical skills: Health education specialists and community health workers work to collect and evaluate data from the community to help determine the needs of the people.
Interpersonal skills: Health education specialists and community health workers interact with all types of people from a wide range of educational backgrounds and cultural backgrounds. Being empathetic and good listeners can help improve the health outcomes of the people they serve in the community and make health education programs successful.
Instructional skills: Health education specialists and community health workers often lead community health programs, teach classes, and lead discussion with different kinds of groups.
Problem-solving skills: Health education specialists and community health workers need to think creatively about solving problems in planning programs and improving community health.
What are some certifications for Health Educators
Some employers may require a health education specialist to be a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Health education credentialing such as the CHES credential is offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing,. Different states offer certification for community health workers, which may include completing a state approved training program. Contact your state’s board of health, nursing, or human services for more information.
Where Does a Public Health Educator Work?
According to BLS.gov, government agencies were the largest employers of both community health workers and health education specialists in 2021. Other employers included individual and family services, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. In addition, these workers in health promotion are also employed by religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, or similar organizations. They may work in training community health workers, may work with health care providers to address health concerns such as proper nutrition and mental health through educational programs.
What is the job outlook for Health Educators
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports health education professional can expect a better than average job outlook. Health educators can expect a 12% increase in growth from 2021 to 2031, with is much faster than the average 5 percent growth for all occupations. This growth in job outlook for the community health educator presents more opportunity to address community health needs and promote healthy lifestyles.
What is the professional organization for Health Educators?
The professional organization that supports and promotes health educators is the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). SOPHE is an independent nonprofit professional association representing its a membership of health promotion and health education professionals and students in the United States and some countries abroad. This organization works to promote health equity, healthy behaviors, healthy communities, and healthy environments.
MPH staff
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