PUBLIC HEALTH
Ryan Popek, Melia Dupree, Gregory Anmuth
PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:
HEALTH EDUCATOR
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PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: HEALTH EDUCATOR
•Prevent disease and promote healthy lifestyles through knowledge and behavior change
•Integral part of community health education programs
•Issues of importance include substance abuse, safety, HIV/STDs, nutrition, high blood
pressure, smoking, pregnancy, and diabetes
•Responsible for collecting and analyzing data for the purpose of researching, designing,
and presenting preventative health care programs
•Inform/organize community coalitions in order to address concerns and issues that effect
the health of communities
•Write educational material, newsletters, public information reports, and grant proposals
•Specialize in clinical health, public health, community health, industrial health, and school
health
•Must enjoy working with a variety of people, have good oral and written communication
skills, and have a desire to help people
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BECOMING A HEALTH EDUCATOR
Schools Of Public Health
Boston University School of Public Health
Drexel University School of Public Health
George Washington University School of Public Health
MPH Degree Core Areas:
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services Administration
Health Education
Behavioral Science
Environmental Science
Why consider a graduate degree?
Gain knowledge
Apply quantitative and qualitative skills
Develop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies
Enhance communication skills
Leadership roles
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HEALTH EDUCATION CREDENTIALING
CHES- Certified Health Education Specialist
Must have a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate Degree
Issued by NCHEC
Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Educators:
Assess individual and community needs for health education
Plan effective health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Implement health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Conduct evaluation and research related to health education
Administer health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Serve as a health education resource person
Communicate and advocate for health and health education
5 Years
75 Hours – 5th year
$55 Annual Fee
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HEALTH EDUCATION JOBS
Annual salary ranges from $33,000 - $86,625
Average salary is $42,300
Health Educators are qualified to be:
health education specialist
patient educator
family planning counselor
corporate fitness program coordinator
drug rehabilitation director
grant writer
volunteer services coordinator
environmental educator
safety educator
cardiac rehabilitation worker
tobacco education specialist
human service worker
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SAMPLE JOB LISTINGS
Company: HealthEd Group (www.thehealthedgroup.com)
Job Title: Health Education Specialist
Job Location: Clark, NJ
Background:
HealthEd Group, is a New Jersey based health communications company and a leader in the development of innovative, patient-centered health
education programs.
HealthEd Group, established in 1989, partners with clients in the pharmaceutical industry and health advocacy sector. In addition to our expertise in
health literacy and educational design, we collaborate with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to develop effective programs that motivate
people to take charge of their health.
Job Summary:
Individual will lead the development of patient education programs including:
Planning and participating in needs assessments
Interacting with patient and professional advisory boards
Contributing to the strategic design of programs (based on needs of client and target population)
Developing outlines and key learning messages
Partner with art team and writing teams to ensure programs meet health education and health literacy principles
Communicating with sales account managers and clients; attending client meetings
Skills & Experience
At least 5 to 8 years experience in the field of healthcare or health education required with demonstrated experience in health education program
development
Work experience in a public relations, pharmaceutical marketing or health communications agency a plus
Expertise in oncology, diabetes and cardiovascular health highly desired
Strong skills in communication (both verbal and written), time management, critical thinking, and problem solving
Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Demonstrated commitment to helping patients and their caregivers effectively manage health issues
Education:
Advanced Degree/Certification in healthcare or related field required
CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) preferred
Contact Us: Interested candidates should email cover letter & resume to: HR@thehealthedgroup.com
Provided by NCHEC.org
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SAMPLE JOB LISTINGS
Company: APS Healthcare
Job Title: Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Job Location: Mechanicsburg. PA
At APS Healthcare, our mission, quite simply, is to make a significant and positive impact on the healthcare system by changing behaviors and improving
outcomes. We are excited to be working with the state of PA to administer the ACCESS Plus Program, a primary care case management (PCCM) system that
features a “medical home” — a designated Primary Care Provider (PCP) — for each ACCESS Plus Enrollee in the 42 county ACCESS Plus area. The program
goal is delivering greater value to enrollees, providers, and the DPW through improving access to appropriate primary, specialty, dental, and behavioral
healthcare for the program enrollees.
We want you to help us make your community healthier and better! We have an exciting full-time Certified Health Education Specialist based in our
Mechanicsburg, PA office. This is a telephonic role and schedules will vary between the hours of 7am — 8pm. We may be able to accommodate a variety of
schedule types depending on coverage needs. We have multiple opportunities available for this exciting new program so spread the word!
The Certified Health Education Specialist provides telephonic outreach, disease or case management, education and support to plan enrollees to support healthy
lifestyle choices and reduce long term effects of chronic illnesses. This individual performs other clinically based activities to coordinate care between the
enrollees, providers and community based health organizations.
Responsibilities:
• Provides telephonic outreach in disease management or case management, education, enrollment and other clinically based activities to plan Enrollees.
• Conducts assessments, develops treatment plans and interventions and sets goals for treatment plans/behavioral modification within the scope of practice.
• Collaborates with Enrollee’s medical/health and community based providers (including the PCP, HCH, certified dieticians, behavioral health specialists, or
others as needed) regarding the member’s treatment needs and plan of care.
• Collects clinical data and enters information into database for tracking and metrics purposes.
• Monitors and evaluates the services and community based resources necessary to respond to the individual Enrollee’s health needs.
Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in healthcare related field; or Associate’s degree or specialized training, such as LPN, CNA, Social Work, Behavioral Health Tech,
preferred.
• Certified Health Educator (CHE) certification required.
Provided by NCHEC.org
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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS
Society for Public Health Education – SOPHE.org
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc – NCHEC.org
Administers the CHES test
American Public Health Organization – APHA.org
PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: HEALTH EDUCATORS
Carla Kephart from the Gloucester County Board of Health teaches Kindergarten
students at Green-fields Elementary School about good dental health.
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Gloucester County Department of
Health

Carla Kephart
 Health Educator
 Rutgers to Rowan
 Health Promotion and Fitness
Management
 Job out of internship
WORK SETTING
Ordinary office
 Hosts workshops around the county
 Unpaid internship
 Interns can do homework!
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JOBS/PROGRAMS
Teaches Tai Chi
 Arthritis Courses (Healthy Bones)
 School nutrition workshops
 H1N1 virus information/vaccines
 CHIP (A Comprehensive Community Health Improvement Plan)
 All grant funded
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THE CALORIE GAME!
PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: NUTRITIONISTS

Why are nutritionist needed?
 Provide
guidelines
 Schools
 Community
 National
 Personal
WHERE TO GET A MASTER’S…
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Montclair State University----NJ
College of Education and Human Services
 Nutrition

and Food Science
Rutgers----NJ
 Nutritional

Sciences
Drexel University---PA
College of Arts and Sciences
 MS
in Human Nutrition
GETTING IN
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1 year general chemistry with lab
1 year organic chemistry or 1 semester organic chemistry plus 1
semester of biochemistry
At least 12 additional credits in advanced (300-400 level) sciences
(biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, nutrition, or food science)
GRE: 1150 or above (minimum verbal 500; minimum quantitative
600)
TOEFL (if English is a second language): 560 or above (paper-based
test); 220 or above (computer-based test); 83 or above (internetbased test; minimum individual test scores: writing 22, speaking
23, reading 21, listening 17)
GPA: B average or above
Three letters of recommendation
JOBS FOR NUTRITIONISTS

WIC
 National

to County
CDC
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Obesity
 National

Health Educator
 Community
Average Salary:
$50,000
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
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Environmental health is the branch of public health
that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and
built environment that may affect human health.
Environmental health is also known as Environmental
Public Health or Environmental Health and Protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
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Environmental health addresses all human-health-related
aspects of both the natural environment and the built
environment. Environmental health concerns include:
Air quality, including both outdoor air and indoor air quality,
which also comprises concerns about environmental tobacco
smoke.
Body art safety, including tattooing, body piercing and
permanent cosmetics.
Climate change and its effects on health.
Childhood lead poisoning prevention.
Medical waste management and disposal.
Noise pollution control.
JOBS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Food Protection and Safety

Air quality

Water Quality and Protection
PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
The National Environmental Health Association
Mission: to advance the environmental health
and protection professional for the purpose of
provid.ing a healthful environment for all.

www.necha.org
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS