Health promotion specialist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a degree in a subject like:

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

You might be able to do a subject like psychology, social sciences or education.

You could also start by doing a foundation degree in health and social care.

Entry requirements:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care to get some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job.

If you're 19 or over, you could do an Access to HE Diploma as a way to get into university.

You could do Access to Health and Human Science or Access to Health Science.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

Apprenticeship

You could do a Public Health Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

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

Work

You could start as a health promotion assistant or an NHS 111 health advisor and complete training to work your way up.

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary work experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to health promotion specialist roles.

You'll usually need a qualification and experience in medicine, nursing, teaching or social work.

It might also help to have experience of working with communities.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to enjoy working with other people
• sensitivity and understanding
• administration skills
• leadership skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• active listening skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of media production and communication
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Health promotion specialists educate and inform people about health issues.

As a health promotion specialist you could:

• promote healthy eating and regular exercise
• give advice on the dangers of smoking or drinking too much
• give information about the risk of coronary heart disease and cancers
• raise awareness of mental health, sexual health and drug misuse
• do research, make publicity materials, run training courses and organise events
• give information and advice to managers in health authorities and local councils

Location : You could work at a health centre or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• move into a senior role and be responsible for planning projects and strategies
• get a postgraduate qualification and manage projects and a team or health promotion specialists
• work as a freelance consultant