Health Educator

Health educators teach people about illness prevention and how to have a healthy lifestyle.

NOC Code: 4212

Job Duties

Health educators teach people about illness prevention and how to have a healthy lifestyle. You may work for community agencies, government agencies, schools, hospitals, research institutes, or in professional organizations. You may work with individual clients, groups or run programs for the general public. You may also be called a health promoter, health program coordinator, or health promotion specialist.  

Generally, health educators:

  • Develop and implement health promotion strategies and programs.
  • Design and facilitate workshops with community members on health-related issues.
  • Provide support to individual clients on different health issues, such as pregnancy, childbirth, infant care or disabilities.
  • Develop information and educational materials about healthy lifestyles for clients.
  • Give the public information about where they can get health and social services.
  • Work with various organizations, governmental bodies, community and social groups.
  • Use presentation and word-processing software.

Source: HRSDC

Job Requirements

Education

This job requires: College or University

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobLevel of Education Required
Health EducatorCollege or University
Medical Laboratory TechnicianCollege or University
Health Policy AnalystCollege or University
Personal Support WorkerHigh School
Public Health InspectorCollege or University

Experience

This job requires 2 - 5 years of work experience.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobYears of Work Experience Required
Health Educator2 - 5
Medical Laboratory Technician0 - 2
Health Policy Analyst2 - 5
Personal Support Worker0 - 2
Public Health Inspector2 - 5

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As a health educator, you need to:

  • Speak, write and read English.
  • Understand health and medical terminology.
  • Explain health concepts to clients and the public using easy-to-understand language.
  • Be very accurate in your work, as it's often a matter of client and public safety.
  • Have strong planning and organizational skills.
  • Have good leadership and research skills.
  • Work well with other people and on your own.

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person and on the phone with the public and other medical staff. You also need to take notes, write reports and give presentations.

Labour Market Information

Trends

Opportunities are available in this area. However, lack of health care and social services government budgets mean that there may be fewer community and social service positions.

Prospects

The work prospects for this job are: GOOD

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobWork Prospects
Health EducatorGood
Medical Laboratory TechnicianFair
Health Policy AnalystFair
Personal Support WorkerGood
Public Health InspectorGood

Wages

The average hourly wage for this job is: C$21.75/hour.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobAverage Wage/Hour
Health Educator$21.75
Medical Laboratory Technician$22.00
Health Policy Analyst$33.00
Personal Support Worker$14.85
Public Health Inspector$33.65

Source: HRSDC

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

Bridging Programs

Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.

Language Training

Here is a list of some language training programs, such as Enhanced Language Training (ELT) and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT).

Work Experience Programs

Many college programs and bridging programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

Helpful Links

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.