- Education
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Knowledge of Health Sciences
- Cultural Competency
- Understanding of Health Issues and Ability to Access Healthcare
Public health educators must possess certain characteristics in order to be successful in their jobs. Healthcare and social service providers are constantly searching for ways to cost-effectively improve the quality of healthcare while reducing healthcare costs by educating people on how to implement healthy living into their lives. These are just some of the duties of a public health educator. Public health educators are trained professionals who collect and study data regarding health issues with different populations and provide training programs to help educate the public on how to live as healthy as possible. In addition to having training and experience, here are some characteristics of a successful public health educator.
Education
Public health educators must be knowledgeable about what they teach. In order to demonstrate the need for improved healthcare and healthier living, the public health educator must be believable and have the ability to present data, statistics and information to the public. At least a bachelor’s degree in health promotion or health education is required to work as a public health educator. Internships, which are an integral part of the training program, allow the student to obtain real experience working with experienced public health educators.
Excellent Communication Skills
Good communication skills are necessary for any leadership positions but are especially needed by public health educators. They spend a large portion of their days talking to the public about health issues, healthcare, diseases, treatments and healthy living in general. In addition to needing good listening skills, the public health educator must be able to openly communicate back to individuals or groups of people.
Knowledge of Health Sciences
As unfortunate as it may be, there are some public health educators who graduated at the top of their classes yet possess a minimal knowledge of health science. Health science involves the research, study and knowledge of health as well as applying that knowledge to help people improve their health and function better. Public health educators must have a thorough understanding of how health science works so they can relay it successfully to the public. While relaying pertinent health information to a group of people, the successful public health educator will do so without passing judgment.
Cultural Competency
A successful public health educator must have not just a cultural competency but a good understanding and comprehension of the various cultures. Every culture perceives healthcare differently and also perceives their need for improved healthcare differently. They may assume they are getting the best healthcare or are living a healthy lifestyle because they don’t know any different. The public health educator must have the capacity to understand the cultural differences and determine the best way to educate them and keep them aware of health issues.
Understanding of Health Issues and Ability to Access Healthcare
The public health educator meets with a variety of people throughout the community. Some may be different cultures while others may be socially disadvantaged populations. Public health educators travel to all these different populations, and they should be knowledgeable of each of the populations. They must understand health issues that are prevalent in certain areas and why they’re prevalent in those areas. They must also understand that one population may not have the same ability to access healthcare as another. To be successful with every population, the public health educator must have a solid understanding of each one as well as their needs and understanding of good healthcare.
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As professionals continue to look for ways to improve healthcare and keep the public aware of the need for healthier lifestyles, the public health educator will continue to be in demand. Health educators and community health workers should see an employment growth of 16 percent during the decade of 2016-2026 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). By exhibiting the necessary characteristics to be a successful public health educator, the candidate can look forward to a rewarding and lucrative career.