Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers

---

Duties

Experts in health education frequently do the following:

• Identifying and addressing community health issues.
• Through educational programs, publications, and events, educate the public about vital health problems such pre-existing conditions.
• Programs and materials should be reviewed for effectiveness.
• Help anyone in need of medical attention.
• Train the community health worker or other healthcare professional.
• Personnel execute health education activities under the manager's direction.
• Collect and analyze data to better serve a community.
• Encourage more health-promoting policies and resources.

Among the roles of community health workers are:

• Discuss health issues with neighbors.
• Public awareness of health services such as cancer screenings is needed.
• Assist with basic health care, such as first aid, diabetic foot checks, and height and weight measurements.
• Collect data to better understand community needs.
• The results should be shared with health educators, doctors, and social workers.
• Informal community therapy and social support.
• Plan PR campaigns.
• Referrals, transportation, and other constraints can help enhance access to healthcare.
• Be an advocate for both individuals and groups.
• Health educators have varying tasks depending on where they work.

Following is a breakdown of health education professionals' responsibilities per workplace type.

In hospitals, health educators may work one-on-one with patients or their families. Patients are educated when diagnosed and provided treatment options. Their efforts include organizing and executing surveys to identify local health issues and implementing measures to address them. They may also help organize blood pressure checks or car seat installations. Also, health educators train medical personnel in better patient interactions.

Non-profit health educators create programs and tools to educate their clients about health issues. For example, they help groups acquire funding for health and illness awareness campaigns. They also enlighten policymakers on how to improve public health. NGOs with a specific focus on a disease or audience build programs to meet those needs.

Public health educators create educational programs on topics including disaster preparedness, vaccines, and nutrition. They also create materials for the public and public health workers. Some health educators work with other employees on statewide or municipal committees to promote public health policy. Grants and grant-funded public health projects may also be covered.

Professionals in health education create or modify workplace wellness initiatives. They may suggest modifications to the workplace to improve employee health, such as smoke-free zones or incentives to adopt healthier habits.

Middle and high school health teachers can learn more about their jobs by reading our profiles on middle and high school teachers.

Since they know the communities they serve, community health professionals are the best people to connect citizens with healthcare and social services. They identify health issues, collect data, and discuss them with others. Examples include assisting residents eligible for Medicaid or Medicare to enroll and educating non-eligible residents on the benefits of these programs. Mental health and social service providers, such as community health workers, help patients overcome barriers to care.

Healthcare and social service providers, as well as health educators, share information with community health workers to better serve the community. Health and wellness advocates also help residents navigate healthcare and coordinate treatment for those in need.

Education

A bachelor's degree in health education or promotion is frequently necessary. Employers may also accept degrees in business, social science, or healthcare. An internship is a great opportunity for students to learn new skills.

Several health education specialist jobs require a master's or PhD. A master's degree in health promotion, school health education, or public health education is possible. Most of these master's degree programs do not require a specific undergraduate major.

However, most jobs in community health require a high school diploma. Wellness, ethics, and cultural awareness are just a few of the topics that can be addressed in one year of study to get an associate degree.

Training

Community health workers typically receive on-the-job training. Themes in training include communication, outreach, and health information. Communication skills can be improved by community health professionals who work with Alzheimer's patients.

Others' Tales

Community health workers frequently have a deep knowledge of the communities, cultures, and medical illnesses or impairments they serve. Fluency in another language is an asset.

Licenses and certifications

Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) from the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education are preferred or required by many workplaces.

In some areas, community health workers can be certified after completing an approved training program. If you have questions, contact your state's health, nursing, or human services board.

Essential qualities

Logic and critical thinking skills. The data that health educators collect and analyze determine the needs of those they serve.

Communication ability A health educator's capacity to effectively communicate via written applications for programs and funding is critical.

Teaching skills. Educators and community health workers organize and implement health education programs and engage with participants and their families.

Characteristics. Health educators and community health workers deal with people from all walks of life. To deliver the greatest service, they must be able to empathize with their clients and listen well.

Solving skills Health educators and community health workers must come up with novel ways to improve patient and community health. They may also have to cope with challenges like budget constraints or opposition from the population they serve.

Pay

The median annual wage for health education specialists was $63,000 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $112,900.

Job Projections

Employment of health education specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.