Occupation Summary

Health Education Specialists

O*NET 21-1091.00

Description:

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Annual Wages:
$55,442.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 22.53%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
  2. Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
  3. Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
  4. Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
  5. Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
  6. Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
  7. Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
  8. Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
  9. Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.
  10. Develop, prepare, and coordinate grant applications and grant-related activities to obtain funding for health education programs and related work.
  11. Provide guidance to agencies and organizations on assessment of health education needs and on development and delivery of health education programs.
  12. Develop and maintain health education libraries to provide resources for staff and community agencies.
  13. Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
  14. Develop educational materials and programs for community agencies, local government, and state government.
  15. Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
  16. Design and administer training programs for new employees and continuing education for existing employees.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Health Education Specialists employed Annual Growth Rate
General medical and surgical hospitals 19.4 0.66
Individual and family services 7.4 2.75
Outpatient care centers 6.8 1.76
Offices of physicians 5.5 0.57
Other ambulatory health care services 4.5 2.83
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 4.1 0.77
Insurance carriers 3.7 1.62
Grantmaking and giving services 3 2.48


Labor Market Information


2022 Statewide average hourly wage $26.65
2022 National average hourly wage $32.07
2020 National employment 61,100
2020 Texas employment 3,405
Texas projected employment by 2030 4,172
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2030 467




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
92.20%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
90.60%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
84.20%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
81.60%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
72.60%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
71.80%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
71.40%
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
70.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
68.20%
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
68.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
82.40%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
82.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
82.40%
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
80.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
77.60%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
77.60%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
75.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
75.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
72.40%
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
85.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
77.60%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
75.00%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
75.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72.40%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
72.40%


  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    -- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.



Tools

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital video disk players or recorders: Digital video disk DVD players;

Liquid crystal display projector: Liquid crystal display LCD projectors;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Overhead projectors: Overhead display projectors;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Photocopiers: Photocopying equipment;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epi Info;

Computer based training software: Padlet;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge;

Data base user interface and query software: Blackboard software; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC WONDER; Microsoft Access;

Desktop publishing software: Microsoft Publisher;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop; JamBoard;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Medical software: MEDITECH software;

Multi-media educational software: Edpuzzle;

Network conferencing software: LogMeIn GoToWebinar;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Presentation software: Mentimeter; Microsoft PowerPoint;

Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Web page creation and editing software: Facebook; Blogging software; Wiki software;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Health Education Specialists include:
  • 21-1021.00 Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  • 21-1094.00 Community Health Workers
  • 29-1031.00 Dietitians and Nutritionists
  • 15-1211.01 Health Informatics Specialists
  • 25-1071.00 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 21-1022.00 Healthcare Social Workers
  • 25-1072.00 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
  • 21-1015.00 Rehabilitation Counselors
  • 11-9151.00 Social and Community Service Managers
  • 21-1093.00 Social and Human Service Assistants


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about health education specialists and community health workers, visit: Society for Public Health Education
  • American Public Health Association
  • National Association of Community Health Workers
  • For more information about credentials for health education specialists, visit: Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education
  • National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
  • CareerOneStop

  • For career videos on health education specialists and community health workers, visit: Community health workers
  • Health education specialists
  • Community Health Workers
  • Health Education Specialists

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.