Health Promotion Specialist
Job Description:Health promotion specialists educate and inform people about health issues.
Job Category:What you will do:
As a health promotion specialist you could:
- promote healthy eating and regular exercise
- give advice on the dangers of smoking or drinking too much
- give information about the risk of coronary heart disease and cancers
- raise awareness of mental health, sexual health and drug misuse
- do research, make publicity materials, run training courses and organise events
- give information and advice to managers in health authorities and local councils
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills (leadership)
- the ability to use your initiative
- to enjoy working with other people
- sensitivity and understanding
- administration skills (organisation)
Entry Requirements:
To become a Health Promotion Specialist, you typically need to pursue education and training related to public health, health education, or a related field. While there are no strict GCSE subject requirements for this career, certain subjects can provide a strong foundation for pursuing a degree and career in health promotion.
Here are some relevant GCSE subjects and skills that can be beneficial:
Relevant GCSE Subjects
- Science (Biology and Chemistry): These subjects provide fundamental knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and basic health principles.
- Mathematics: Basic math skills are important for data analysis, statistical interpretation, and program evaluation.
- English Language: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are crucial for developing health education materials and communicating with diverse populations.
- Psychology or Sociology: Understanding human behavior, social determinants of health, and effective communication strategies is valuable in health promotion.
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You could do a degree in a subject like:
- health promotion
- public health policy
- behavioural science
- health studies
You might be able to do a subject like psychology, social sciences or education.
You could also start by doing a foundation degree in health and social care.
College
You could do the Diploma in Health and Social Care to get some of the skills and knowledge you’ll need in this job.
You could do Access to Health and Human Science or Access to Health Science.
Apprenticeship
You could do a Public Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship.
This usually takes 3 years to complete.
Work
You could start as a health promotion assistant or an NHS 111 health advisor and complete training to work your way up.
Volunteering
You’ll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary work experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.
Direct Application
You could apply directly to health promotion specialist roles.
You’ll usually need a qualification and experience in medicine, nursing, teaching or social work.
It might also help to have experience of working with communities.
Working Hours and Environment:
You could typically work 38 to 40 hours per week.
You could work at a health centre or in an office.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could:
- move into a senior role and be responsible for planning projects and strategies
- get a postgraduate qualification and manage projects and a team or health promotion specialists
- work as a freelance consultant