Health Advocates: Job Description, Education, Skills and Abilities, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Health advocates are people who promote healthier lifestyle as well as educate the public on the best ways to promote optimum level of wellness and prevent illness. Health advocates can often be seen working for a university, a government body and several health organizations. They are often seen working in different types of environments wherein a forseeable health crisis may arise. The goal of every activity that they initiate is to increase the people's awareness on the health problems that they are facing, as well as enhance their capability to combat those problems and prevent future potential health threats.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
If you wish to establish a career in being a health advocate, take as many courses in communications and sciences as early as high school. The minimum requirement for all health advocates is a possession of a bachelor's degree in health sciences and related courses.
Skills and Abilities
Health advocates should be widely knowledgeable and up to date with the latest health and related events and health and disease conditions of the groups or environment of focus. It is important that they have a genuine concern with people and with uplifting their health practices and related lifestyle. They should be very approachable and have the skills in teaching. The expertise in the field that they focus on e.g.research, health of the elderly, is already expected as they will be the one to serve as a liaison officer between the communities and the health officials.
Duties
Health advocates play various roles in the community. They may take the role of an educator, a liaison officer, a caregiver and a researcher, to name a few. Oftentimes they partner up with the other health care professionals to establish guidelines for different health issues. They help them establish facts and suggest guidelines for disease prevention and health promotion.
They may conduct activities in communities and facilitate building of programs that will involve different groups of people to improve lifestyle and overall health. These activities include exercise programs, smoking cessation programs, trainings for health care workers and feeding programs. Integrated to what they do is the many health teachings which will increase the awareness of people to the diseases and preventive measures.
Job Outlook and Earnings
As more and more people and organizations are now concerned on maintaining good health and pushing for a healthier lifestyle, more job opportunities are expected for the health advocates.they are being demanded by the government agencies, non profit agencies and organizations and consulting firms. The average salary for a health advocate is around 50,000 U.S. dollars in a year. The salary ranges from 45,000 U.S. dollars to 110,00 U.S. dollars per annum. The income varies by location, the employer as well as the scope of responsibility that the health advocate is holding.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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