In the health educator career, health educators work to encourage the individuals and community to live a healthy life. They educate the people to on how to prevent disease, injuries and other health problems. They provide information related to healthy life such as nutrition, types of exercises, how to avoid contagious diseases, and the healthy habits. Their main job is to conduct programs and presentations on importance of health for different people. They also conduct interactive sessions with school children, college students and adults and share their knowledge with them.
Tasks:-
In the health educator career, the tasks that are carried out differ according to the type of organization. They are as follows:-
Qualification:-
In the health educator career, the basic qualification needed for entry-level jobs is a bachelor's degree. However, some employers may need bachelor's degree with some years of experience in similar field. Some of the employers may also need the candidates to be certified as Health Educator Specialists. A master's degree is necessary for senior and responsible positions. Courses like human development, psychologists, health diet, and foreign language are also beneficial.
Other necessary skills:-
In the health educators career the other skills that are necessary are as follows:-
Place of work:-
In the health educator career, the place of work differs with the type of work. The healthy educators in school spend most of their time in classrooms. Others spend their time in offices. However, the health educators have to travel extensively to conduct programs and present them to different people at different places.
Generally the health educators work for 40 hours a week. However, based on the programs, presentations and meetings; that may have to work even on weekends and evenings.
Job Opportunities:-
In the career as health educators, they have a wide scope as counselors. They are needed in different organizations. They are as follows:-
Remuneration:-
In the career as health educators, the salary differs according to the employer. Those working in medical and surgical hospitals, local and state governments are paid handsome salaries as compared to other employers. The salary for entry-level jobs is comparatively less, but goes on increasing with years of experience. Some of them who work independently also get good profit based o the number of programs conducted.
Job Progress:-
In the career as health educators, candidates with a bachelor's degree are usually selected for entry-level jobs. They plan and evaluate programs instead of implementing the programs. After completing the internship, they become permanent. With years of experience, or those having master's degree are selected for higher level and responsible positions. They get promoted as supervisors or conduct programs independently. Some of the health educators may also get promoted as professors or researchers.
Employment forecast:-
In the career as health educators, the employment is expected to grow faster in comparison to other occupations. The expected rise in cost of health care will increase the demand for health educators. The world is becoming aware of the illnesses like Swine flu, lung cancer, HIV AIDS, and skin cancer, and many more such illnesses. The people are aware that they should prevent such diseases as it is said, “Prevention is Better Than Cure.” Therefore they need advice and suggestions on how to live a healthy life, what exercises to perform, what kind of food should be included in regular diet, and the habits that lead to health living. Thus, the demand for health educators is expected to increase tremendously in coming years.