PUBLIC HEALTH

Ryan Popek, Melia Dupree, Gregory Anmuth

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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 EDUCATORSchools Of Public Health

Boston University School of Public HealthDrexel University School of Public HealthGeorge Washington University School of Public

Health

MPH Degree Core Areas:BiostatisticsEpidemiologyHealth Services AdministrationHealth EducationBehavioral ScienceEnvironmental Science

Why consider a graduate degree?Gain knowledge Apply quantitative and qualitative skillsDevelop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategiesEnhance communication skillsLeadership roles

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HEALTH EDUCATION CREDENTIALING

CHES- Certified Health Education SpecialistMust have a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate DegreeIssued 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 Years75 Hours – 5th year$55 Annual Fee

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HEALTH EDUCATION JOBS

Annual salary ranges from $33,000 - $86,625Average 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 LISTINGSCompany: 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 & ExperienceAt 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

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS

Society for Public Health Education – SOPHE.orgNational Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc – NCHEC.org

Administers the CHES test

American Public Health Organization – APHA.org

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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.

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!

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

THE CALORIE GAME!

PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: NUTRITIONISTS

Why are nutritionist needed? Provide guidelines

Schools Community National Personal

WHERE TO GET A MASTER’S…

Montclair State University----NJCollege of Education and Human Services Nutrition and Food Science

Rutgers----NJ Nutritional Sciences

Drexel University---PACollege of Arts and Sciences MS in Human Nutrition

GETTING IN

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 (internet-based 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

CDCDivision of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity National

Health Educator Community

Average Salary:$50,000

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

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• 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