Health Education Officer

Health education officers (HEOs) make people aware of the importance of good health. They run campaigns and produce materials to encourage people to change to a healthier lifestyle.

They deal with matters such as smoking, drug and alcohol misuse, diet, exercise, immunisation, sexual health, care of mothers and children, and health of the elderly.

The Work

You could be:

• planning health education policies and putting them into practice


• working with doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, social workers, community workers and others to promote good health


• writing leaflets and posters and commissioning videos


• giving talks and arranging exhibitions and events


• producing teaching materials to be used in schools


• advising health professionals and community leaders


• giving information through newspapers, television, or by speaking to schools and community or voluntary organisations


• managing projects and budgets and writing reports.

Conditions

• You would work in an office.


• Working hours are normally regular but you may do extra hours when arranging an exhibition, or to meet a deadline.


• You would travel to local schools, hospitals or community centres.

Getting In

• You need a degree, usually in a biological, social or behavioural science, or a qualification in work such as nursing, social work or teaching.


• Many employers look for postgraduate qualifications in health education or health promotion.


• This is often a second career – many HEOs have been nurses or teachers, or have done community work.


• A driving licence is useful.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• keen to promote healthy living


• enthusiastic


• able to work with people from all backgrounds


• supportive and non-judgemental


• sensitive to different cultures


• a good organiser – able to arrange events


• confident – to speak in public


• accurate and methodical – to do research on health matters


• able to analyse results of research and decide what is important


• imaginative – to think up strategies and slogans.

Training

• You do 2 years work experience with on-the-job training.


• You can take the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in health education or health promotion.


• If you have a professional qualification you may take a Professional Development Award (PDA) in health promotion, or other qualification recognised by the Society of Health Education and Health Promotion Specialists (SHEPS).


• You would take short courses throughout your working life, to keep up to date.

Getting On

• You may work for a health board or for local government – in each case you could move on to a senior post or into management.


• If you work for a voluntary organisation, there would be fewer chances of promotion.


• You could move into research work or training.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.