Health Educator Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Do you remember the first time that someone encouraged you to wash your hands after you used the bathroom, to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses? Can you recall the first person who explained to you that having unprotected sex could put you at risk for unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted disease and other health complications? Many people hear these things from their parents and friends, but close behind is the school nurse or health educator. The primary responsibilities of a health educator are providing communities with information that can lower their risk for sickness, disease, injury or mental health problems. This can be accomplished through classes, workshops, public speaking events and the creation of informational materials that can be distributed easily.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$42,300
Salary Range
$28,500 - $56,100

Work Environment

In most cases, health educators are employed by hospitals, schools, and local health departments that are looking for more efficient ways to disseminate information about best health practices in their communities. Health educators work closely with doctors, nurses, and educational professionals to devise the most efficient plans for communicating with the public.

High School Preparation

It is important for students who are interested in a career as a health educator to realize that they will spend most of their time teaching and training others to take better care of themselves and others. This means that course work in sociology, communications, health sciences, physical education, public speaking and behavioral sciences is advantageous.

Requirements

Once the student has completed their high school education, it is important to enroll in an accredited university or college that offers course work in public health, public communications or health education and promotion. Following their undergraduate work, individuals must also pass the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc’s written exam for health educators. Those who are interested in teaching or achieving an executive level position in a health related organization are usually encouraged to go on to post-graduate studies.

Career Outlook

Interested individuals should be pleased to learn that there is rapid growth expected in the field of health education over the next five years or so. Thanks to the fact that the population is booming and hospitals and health departments are scrambling to keep up, qualified individuals that can effectively spread messages of good health practices and preventative care are in high demand. The number of jobs available to health educators is expected to increase by at least twenty five percent over the next decade. Although the government and many insurance agencies have only concerned themselves with emergency and maintenance care, preventative medicine is clearly overtaking these methods as the most cost effective choice.

Professional Organizations

American Public Health Association
800 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 777-2742
www.apha.org