Health promotion specialist

Alternative titles for this job include Health improvement specialist

Health promotion specialists educate and inform people about health issues.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become a health promotion specialist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could do a degree in a subject like:

• health promotion
• public health policy
• behavioural science
• health studies

Other subjects like psychology, social sciences and education may also be accepted by employers.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a public health practitioner degree apprenticeship.

You may find opportunities in office based, community, or healthcare roles. You could be working for different types of organisations like the NHS, local authorities or charities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering and experience

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the health or care sector before you apply for a course.

You could contact the health promotion unit or voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role.

You'll usually need a qualification and experience in an area like medicine, nursing, teaching or social work. Experience of working with communities would also be useful.

More information

Career tips

There are lots of voluntary and charitable organisations who work on health issues, and there are often job opportunities in the area of health promotion.

You can also find details of current health campaigns and initiatives through the Royal Society for Public Health.

Further information

You can find more on careers in health promotion through Health Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of English language
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• sensitivity and understanding
• administration skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• promoting healthy eating and regular exercise
• advising of the dangers of smoking or excessive drinking
• giving information about the risk of coronary heart disease and cancers
• raising awareness of mental health, sexual health, and drug misuse

You may also be involved in:

• research
• producing publicity materials
• organising exhibitions and events
• running training courses and workshops
• providing information and advice to managers in health authorities and local councils

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a more senior role and have more responsibility for planning projects and strategies.

If you have a postgraduate qualification, you could move into a role where you’ll have responsibility for managing projects and other health promotion specialists.

You could also work as a freelance consultant.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a health promotion specialist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Health Science Level 3 Diploma (PT)

• Provider: Burton and South Derbyshire College
• Start date: 01 August 2020
• Location: Burton on Trent

NOCN Certificate in Progression to Further Studies in Health Science L2 - Pre Access to Health Science

• Provider: Bishop Auckland College
• Start date: 07 September 2020
• Location: Bishop Auckland

Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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• Health trainer
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