How to become A Health Promotion Specialist

 “Health is wealth!” is an age-old adage Health Promotion Specialists strive to make the reality for everyone in their community and beyond. Their dedicated advocacy goes a long way in implementing health laws that encourage society to aspire towards the healthiest version of itself.

• Health Educator
• Health Improvement Practitioner
• Health Education Specialist
• Health Promotion Officer

 What do Health Promotion Specialists do?

A Health Promotion Specialist would typically need to:

• Raise awareness about being healthy; create presentations, brochures, infographics and other materials to aid in raising awareness
• Develop health improvement programs; promote a healthy lifestyle and diet to individuals, communities, and organisations; advise clients about health, diet, exercise
• Support a range of charitable, statutory, voluntary, educational, and commercial organisations in their health promotion activities; liaise with schools, colleges, and wellness centres to create appropriate health programs
• Design community health training workshops and meetings; devise health measurement techniques and policies to better assess the needs of an individual, community or organisation
• Lobby for increased health awareness and promotion of preventative measures that would lead to a healthier population; secure funds through grants and donations for health promotion programs and centres
• Implement partnerships with local and national organisations to aid in promoting a healthy lifestyle
• Stay updated on new health trends and relevant information; create new materials and programs as needed
• Communicate with relevant community members and leaders to get a better understanding of their immediate needs; attend meetings, formal functions, and events that may increase your outreach
• Write reports and keep records of cases and trends among their clients; manage projects and programs as they arise

In addition to the work they complete in their office, Health Promotion Specialists spend considerable time in the field to carry out programs, attend meetings, communicate with community members and collect data.

As a rule, you may have a standard 9-5 work schedule from Monday to Friday; be prepared to work evenings and weekends when duty calls.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Health Promotion Specialists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

 Health Promotion Specialists are generally employed by:

• Charities 
• Non-Governmental Organisations
• Governmental Organisations
• Health Centres 
• Educational Institutions 
• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• Community Centres 
• Wellness Centres
• Specialist Health Promotion Institutions

Professional associations and organisations such as The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) are crucial for Health Promotion Specialists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Convincing individuals, groups, and organisations to adopt and stick to health measures
• Convincing lawmakers to pass and implement public health policies despite opposition from powerful lobbyists
• Securing grants and funds for a program, workshop or training; working with limited funds
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals whose opinions might differ from yours

Gaining relevant work experience highlights your passion for health education and commitment to becoming a Health Promotion Specialist. Local health centres, community centres or shelters can provide a valuable opportunity to volunteer or job shadow professionals and gain relevant work experience.  

Voluntary or paid work experience in schools, college health education programs and local charities will help you understand what it is like to work around other healthcare professionals and patients.

In addition, working with a diverse range of individuals in the local community helps you build an understanding of different behaviours, situations, and problems you may encounter during your practice as a Health Promotion Specialist.

Typically, a Health Promotion Specialist needs a bachelor’s degree in biology, public health, behavioural science, health promotion, nutrition, social science, education, or health science. A degree in any of these subjects will help you find jobs after graduation. Additional skills can be gained through internships. 

Some positions require a master’s or postdoctoral degree in community health, school health, public health, and health promotion education. Applicants must have basic knowledge of health and behavioural sciences even if they do not have a bachelor’s degree in the fields mentioned above.

A one-year certificate or a two-year associate degree program covering topics such as wellness, ethics, cultural awareness, and health science should also fetch entry-level jobs.

Voluntary certification in health education from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, acquisition of relevant certifications, and passion drive the career progression of Health Promotion Specialists. 

Significant experience can lead you to senior managerial positions such as Advanced Health Improvement Practitioner or Assistant Manager responsible for projects and strategies. 

Be aware, though, that there is more room for career progression in larger organisations when compared to smaller counterparts. 

A postgraduate degree would also facilitate promotion to a higher post where you manage projects and a team of health promotion specialists. At this point, you can decide to go into freelance consulting and be your own boss or take a sideways step to a different organisation such as a charity or government agency to broaden your expertise.

Your workplace may offer speciality training in public health, which allows you to apply to a specialist role such as Director of Public Health and determine the overarching goals of public health within your community.

Health Promotion Specialists with a master’s degree, certifications and experience in public health have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.

The lion’s share of a Health Promotion Specialist’s training is on-the-job and includes communication, outreach and information about specific health topics. The training will help you develop and practice the most effective ways to deal with patients who have dementia, obesity and high blood pressure, among several currently pressing public health concerns.

However, you should aim to complement it with short courses or certification programs in group work skills, developing health information, and monitoring & evaluating health promotion.

Work Settings Dictate Roles and Responsibilities

A Health Promotion Specialist employed in a healthcare facility works with individual patients or families to educate them about the patient’s condition and treatment options. They help organise health outreach programs to assess the needs of their community. In collaboration with other healthcare professionals, they develop programs that educate medical staff on more effective communication with patients.

As employees of a nonprofit organisation, Health Promotion Specialists create customised programs and material on focal health issues in the community. They facilitate funding through grants for promoting health and disease awareness while educating policymakers on ways to improve public health.

When working in a public health department, Health Promotion Specialists develop public health campaigns on emergency preparedness, immunisation and proper nutrition. Besides developing materials of use for the community and public health officials, they collaborate with relevant committees to create public policies on health and wellness. They may also take charge of grants and grant-funded programs to improve public health.

The Name Says It All

As a vital cog in the health industry, a Health Promotion Specialist may take on customised roles to meet the community’s specific needs. As a health improvement practitioner, health protection practitioner, public health nutritionist, smoking cessation adviser, substance misuse worker or teenage pregnancy coordinator, you will play a unique role in filling in the gaps.

On the Rise

As the population ages globally and people continue to remain active beyond a certain age, demand for medical services also continues to rise. Awareness of mental health and issues like obesity has also led to greater demand for health specialists. As a result, the job outlook for Health Promotion Specialists is also on the rise.

A moderately active person walks around 7,500 steps daily, which is the equivalent of going around the Earth five times over the average lifespan.

An integral and increasingly important part of global healthcare systems, Health Promotion Specialists strive to raise awareness that prevention is the best form of medication and inspire their communities to find the right balance for a happy and healthy life. 

It is essential to keep yourself motivated and hold onto your beliefs and passion when faced with adversity and obstacles. Your drive will help you achieve your long-term goals.