Danielle Matthews is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Health Science with a concentration in Health Education and Promotion and a minor in Microbiology. She is interested in a career as a Health Education Specialist to help educate people on behaviors to improve their health. This career has grown due to rising healthcare costs and the need to address chronic conditions through prevention and health promotion. As a Health Education Specialist, Matthews' responsibilities would include assessing community health needs, planning and implementing education programs, and advocating for improved access to healthcare resources. She plans to obtain a Master's degree in Public Health online to further her preparedness for this career.
2. Introduction
Major: Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science
Concentration: Health Education and Promotion
Minor: Microbiology
I am interested in careers that involve working with people to help improve their
health, whether that be with acute or chronic diseases.
Reasons:
I have had the opportunity to experience the changing healthcare delivery system and
learn through the changes in health professional’s education the need for a new type of a
health professional.
I enjoy volunteering at retirement and nursing homes, so a career working with a
predominantly older population would be ideal.
3. Future Careers
Future Career Options:
Health Coach
Health Education Specialist
Population Health Manager
Population Health Specialist
Community Health Worker
The career of most interest to me would be a career as a Health Education
Specialist.
4. Historical Overview
A career as a Health Education Specialist is a developing and growing career with a relatively recent
history.
As the history of health and public health has shifted from an emphasis on infectious diseases, the
need to reduce chronic illness, death, and rising healthcare costs by focusing on prevention and
health promotion birthed Health Education Specialists. [1]
Health education can be seen from the 1800s, but not until the 1940s did it become its own distinct
discipline. [1]
The field developed by drawing from other fields and studies such as public health, education,
communication, and other behavioral and social sciences. [1]
The scope of practice has continued to solidify since the 1950s because of improved understanding
of other social ecological and behavioral factors that influence health. [1]
In 1978, the Role Delineation Project worked to define the basic roles and responsibilities of a
Health Educator/Specialist. As a result, 7 responsibilities and competencies were developed. [2]
Since then, there have been several updates and new credentialing exams such as the CHES
(Certified Health Education Specialist) and most recently the MCHES (Master Certified Health
Education Specialist). [2]
5. Responsibilities for Health Educators
1) Assess Individual and Community Needs for Health Education
2) Plan Effective Health Education Programs
3) Implement Health Education Programs
4) Evaluate the Effectiveness of Health Education Programs
5) Coordinate Provision of Health Education Services
6) Act as a Resource in Health Education
7) Communicate Health Needs, Concerns, and Resources [2]
6. Career Description
As a Health Education Specialist, my job would be to teach people about behaviors that
promote better health and wellness.
I would help to assess the needs of the people in my target population and community
and develop programs or educational materials to help improve their health.
Other Responsibilities:
Teach the population how to better manage existing chronic health conditions [2,3]
Help people navigate the healthcare system to meet their healthcare needs [2,3]
Collect and analyze data to be able to implement or improve future programs and services
[2,3]
Advocate for the population to have improved access to health resources and implementation
of policies that help promote health [2,3]
7. Health Education Specialist Statistics
Since these jobs vary in the types of settings, the annual salary also varies in
addition to other factors such as location and work experience.
Median wage: $51,960 [3]
Health Education Specialists make more in government and hospital settings and less in
religious, organizational, and social assistance settings.
Salary Range: $30,250-$92,950 [3]
The projected growth is expected to increase by 13% by 2024. [3]
In 2014, there were 61,400 jobs and by 2024 there are projected to be 68,900 jobs.
This growth is faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in this field is due to
the rising healthcare costs and the need to reduce these costs and reduce morbidity and
mortality from the costly chronic health conditions.
8. Other Information
Requirements: [3]
At least a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education or Health Promotion
Internship is suggested
Additional Beneficial Education and Certifications [3]
Certification through CHES and/or MCHES
Community Health Worker Certification
Post-graduate degrees- Master’s or Doctoral degrees
Common Programs:
Community Health Education
School Health Education
Public Health Education
Health Promotion
9. Reasons for Candidacy for a Career as a
Health Education Specialist
Relevant Coursework:
Determinants of Health Behavior
Health Appraisal Skills
Health Promotion Program Planning
Community Health Promotion
Research and Evaluation Strategies for
Public Health
Improving Population Health
Skills and Qualities Applied to O*Net Results
I enjoy helping and working with other people
through volunteer opportunities and health
outreach.
Highest O*Net score was in “Social” which is
characterized by people who like teaching, giving
advice, and helping people.
I enjoy working with facts and data to make
conclusions and have held two jobs related to data
entry.
Second highest O*Net scores was in “investigative’
which is characterized by people who like searching for
facts and figuring out problems.
I work best by making plans for projects and then
following through and helping those in the group
follow through and meet deadlines.
Tied third highest scores were ‘Enterprising and
Conventional’ which combines a desire to lead and
make decisions, as well as follow and work with clear
rules.
10. Graduate Programs
I am primarily interested in graduate programs that are completely online or mostly online to allow
me to pursue a career while earning my master’s degree.
Graduate Program Options:
University of Southern California
Master’s in Public Health
Master’s in Health Education
Concentrations of Interest: Biostatistics and Epidemiology
University of South Carolina
Master’s in Public Health
Concentration: Health, Education, and Behavior
George Washington University
Master’s in Public Health
Concentrations: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health Science and Policy, and Health Promotion
11. Preparedness for Graduate Programs
Relevant Coursework:
Introduction to Public Health
Determinants of Health Behavior
Health Appraisal Skills
Health Promotion Program Planning
Community Health Promotion
Research and Evaluation Strategies for
Public Health
Improving Population Health
Epidemiology
Biochemistry
All of the courses I have taken at Clemson over
the past 3 years have prepared me for any of the
listed graduate programs.
I have not yet decided which graduate program is
right for me, but I do know that I want to get a
Masters in Public Health.
I also have not yet decided which concentration
or track to pursue, but the top 2 are: Biostatistics
and Epidemiology or Health, Education, and
Behavior.
12. Conclusion
In order to successfully reduce the cost of healthcare and improve the health of
communities and population, a new type of health professional will be needed to
address the central needs of clients in a transformed healthcare delivery system.
A Health Education Specialist can help achieve this goal.
In order for me to be successful in this career, I need to continue my education for
my Master’s and other helpful certifications such as CHES, MCHES, and Community
Health Worker Certifications.
13. Citations
1) Auld, Elaine, and Stephen F. Gambescia. "Health Education." Oxford
Bibliographies. Oxford University Press, 15 June 2015. Web. 18 May
2016. <http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-
9780199756797/obo-9780199756797-0044.xml>.
2) Siminerio, Linda M. "Defining the Role of the Health Education Specialist in
the United States." Diabetes Spectrum. American Diabetes
Association, Aug. 1999. Web. 18 May 2016.
<http://journal.diabetes.org/diabetesspectrum/99v12n3/Pg152.htm>.
3) United States Department of Labor. "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 18 May
2016. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-
educators.htm#tab-4>.
