HEALTH EDUCATOR

Job Definition:

• Health professionals conduct research; improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods; and apply scientific knowledge relating to medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and promotion of health. Competent performance in most occupations in this sub-major group requires skills at the fourth ISCO skill level.

Job Description:

• Promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health by assisting individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies and environments. May also serve as a resource to assist individuals, other professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services, and to develop goals for meeting needs.
• 2) Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
• 3) Develop and present health education and promotion programs such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
• 4) Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
• 5) Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
• 6) Prepare and distribute health education materials, including reports, bulletins, and visual aids such as films, videotapes, photographs, and posters.
• 7) Provide guidance to agencies and organizations in the assessment of health education needs, and in the development and delivery of health education programs.
• 8) Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, and/or maintaining program-related web sites.
• 9) Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
• 10) Develop and maintain health education libraries to provide resources for staff and community agencies.
• 11) Develop, prepare, and coordinate grant applications and grant-related activities to obtain funding for health education programs and related work.
• 12) Document activities, recording information such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
• 13) Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
• 14) Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.

Activities:

• 1) Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• 2) Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 3) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 4) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 5) Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• 6) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 7) Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• 8) Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• 9) Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Abilities:

• 1) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• 2) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 3) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• 4) Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• 5) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Knowledge

• 1) Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• 2) English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• 3) Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• 4) Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• 5) Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.