LANDING A JOBIt’s more than good luck!

INTRODUCTION

Too much morbidity & premature mortality in the U.S.

In 2009 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2010) 63,320 health educators in U.S. Average salary $49,060; $23.59/hour

Health education is offered in a variety of settings

Skills needed to work in all settings are the same

POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS

Schools Clinics or Hospitals Community / Public Health Agencies Business / Industry Self-Employment

SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION School health” involves all the strategies, activities,

and services offered by, in or in association with schools that are designed to promote students’ physical, emotional, and social development” (ASHA, 2010)

Primarily involves instructing school-age children about health & health-related behaviors

Potential to impact students is tremendous 56 million students 132,000 schools Can be very effective, but programs often compromised

Coordinated School Health Program – 8 components (Pearson Ed, 2012)

RULES OF GOOD HEALTH* - 1922

Take a full bath more than once a week Brush teeth at least once a day Sleep long hours with windows open Drink as much milk as possible, but no coffee or tea Eat some vegetables or fruit everyday Drink at least four glasses of water a day Play part of every day outdoors Have a bowel movement every morning

*Regney (1922)(Pearson Ed, 2012)

SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION Preparation

Teacher preparation curriculum in college Licensed by the state

Responsibilities Teach (typically 7-12, sometimes K-6) Lesson planning; grading; keeping a Web page with

announcements, assignments, & grades or progress reports; parent meetings; disciplining; coaching; & administrative duties

Also, developing curricula, after-school activities, & committee work (i.e., Drug Task Force)

Advocate for school health; policy development

Advantages / Disadvantages

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

PUBLIC/COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION

Community health education & public health education – same or different?

“The work of public health educators (PHEs) is to change policies and environments as well as attitudes and behavior that affect health, and to operate in close association with community groups” (ASPH, 2010)

Healthy People 2010 - Healthy People in Healthy Communities

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

COMMUNITY/PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION

Types of agencies Voluntary health agencies (e.g., ACS, AHA, ALA) Public health agencies (or official governmental agencies) (e.g.,

LHDs, state health department, federal agencies)

Could include many different responsibilities Planning, implementing & evaluating programs Administrative functions– e.g., fund raising; budgeting, recruiting &

coordinating volunteers, grant proposal writing Coalition building Committee work & public speaking Media relations Advocacy

Advantages / Disadvantages (Pearson Ed, 2012)

WORKSITE HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION worksite health promotion - “a combination of

educational, organizational and environmental activities designed to improve the health & safety of employees & their families” (Joint Commission, 2001, p. 103)

Can help with health care costs

Programs vary greatly from site to site; often include exercise

Programs at 80% of worksites (>50 employees); almost all large employers (>750 employees)

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

WORKSITE HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION May need two degrees; one a generalist like in health

education/promotion & a second in specialty area like exercise physiology, nutrition, nursing or athletic training

May need certifications - e.g., CHES, MCHES, ACSM, CPR, smoking cessation

Responsibilities Many & varied Conducting classes - e.g., fitness, nutrition Conducting screenings & personal training sessions Administrative functions; maintaining records & equipment, writing

newsletters, health fairs Marketing the programs

Advantages / Disadvantages(Pearson Ed, 2012)

HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

Variety of settings – e.g., hospitals, medical clinics, home health agencies, HMOs, PPOs

Types of jobs Employee health & wellness Patient education HMOs have been most receptive to hiring

Third party reimbursement an issue

Optimistic about future employment opportunities

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

Involved in numerous & varied activities

Activities differ from setting to setting

Responsibilities Planning, implementing, & evaluating programs & activities Education: 1-on-1 or group patient education services Administration – e.g., grant proposal writing, public relations,

employee wellness activities, marketing Coordination & collaboration of/for activities

Advantages / Disadvantages

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION IN COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

Academic, or faculty, position Responsibilities: teaching, community & professional service,

scholarly research; depends on the institution Emphasis on the responsibilities vary based on the type of

institution Typically need a doctoral degree & experience; maybe

CHES/MCHES or CHES/MCHES eligible

Health education specialist in university health service or wellness center Plan, implement & evaluate programs for students Resource library, peer education programs Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; CHES/MCHES helpful

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Much need, especially in developing countries

Special dedication; challenging; personal satisfaction

Cultural differences; may need a 2nd language; topics for programs may be very different than you have learned about in the United States

Peace Corps an excellent opportunity

CDC is expanding its work around the world

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

NONTRADITIONAL HEALTH EDUCATION/PROMOTION POSITIONS

Sales related to health & fitness Health insurance Pharmaceutical Fitness, health, & medical equipment Health-related books & materials

Communication areas Publishing Media; TV, newspapers Health-related Web sites

Unique opportunities (i.e., teaching in justice/mental health center)

(Pearson Ed, 2012)

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Creating a resume that reflects professional competence

Type all application materials and proof read all materials multiple times

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Experience…experience…experience! Previous employment Internships/Practicums Service Learning Volunteering

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Review job openings on a regular basis

Network…network…network

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Develop a Portfolio! Work samples (varied)

Certifications / Licensure

Professional Memberships

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Honest Assessment of SkillsCommunication Skills

Written Verbal Second language Collaboration

Technology SkillsLeadership SkillsOrganization SkillsAssessment, Planning, Implementing,

Evaluating

LANDING THAT FIRST JOB

Current and specific references

Developing relationships necessary for people to provide recommendations beyond the standard

INTERVIEWING

Do your homework Having a vision for your future Being able to communicate your

strengths and identify areas in which you will continue to grow

Demonstrating good listening skills Providing answers to the questions

asked

WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYER

Support for continuing education or professional development

Benefits package Work environment/climate Strengths/future goals of the agency or

organization… Review process/advancement